NEW STATIONMASTER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 183, 30 April 1940, Page 6

NEW STATIONMASTER

Wellington Appointment MR. A. ORTON RETIRES Stationmaster at Wellington during the busiest period experienced by the Railways Department for many years, Mr. A. Orton retired on superannuation at the end of last week after completing 40 years’ service. He was appointed stationmaster, Wellington, on May 16, 1938, and was in charge of the* station during the exceptionally busy months which followed the opening of the Centennial Exhibition last November.

During that period thousands of passengers passed through Wellington, and many extra trains were required to cope with the demand. In addition, special troop trains intermingled with heavy holiday traffic, adding to the responsibilities of the stationmaster and his staff.

Mr. Orton’s successor, Mr. R. S. AUwright, formerly stationmaster, Wanganui, has taken up his new duties. After joining the railway service in Christchurch, on April 26, 1900, Mr. Orton was a cadet in Canterbury till 1905, when he went to Lyttelton as a clerk. In 1910 he was appointed assistant relieving officer, Christchurch, and in 1912 was transferred to Oxford East, also in Canterbury, as stationmaster. Six years later he became stationmaster at Waipara, North Can terbury, and in 1924 was transferred to Stratford as stationmaster. Mr. Orton remained in Stratford till-1932, when be was appointed business agent, Auckland. He was subsequently transferred to a similar position in Wellington, and in 1938 succeeded Mr. E. .1. Guthrie, on his retirement, as stationmaster.

Wellington’s new stationmaster, Mr. Allwright, is well known in musical circles. He joined the department in 1901 in Christchurch, and remained in the Canterbury district till 1912, when he was transferred to head office, Wellington. He was absent with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from November, 1915, till July, 1919, and on ids return to the Dominion resumed duty in the staff division, Wellington. In 1928 be was promoted to the posi tion of chief clerk. Thorndon, and in 1932 was appointed stationmaster, Ha.wera, He was transferred to Wanganui, in a similar iwsition, in 1938.