Aviation veteran retires

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 11

Aviation veteran retires

By LES BLOXHAM, travel editor A man who has played a significant role in the development of the Mount Cook company during the last 25 years was honoured at a function in Christchurch last evening. Friends gathered to bid farewell to Mr Ted Beckett, who has been the company’s public affairs manager since 1962. He will retire tomorrow. Mr Norman Geary, chairman of the Mount Cook Group, said Mr Beckett had worked with the company during an exciting time. He had seen the introduction of new aircraft and an expansion of routes, and the development of the Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski-fields. “He is very much a part of the success story of the company,” said Mr Geary. Mr Beckett has a long involvement in public relations and journalism. After a short time as a law clerk he worked as a reporter on “The Press” and the “Star” in Christchurch before moving to Palmerston North to set up the city’s first public relations office. He then became Canterbury public relations officer, a post he held until his move to the Mount Cook company in 1962.