AFTER LONG SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 9

AFTER LONG SERVICE

MR. B. A. MARRIS RETIRES

EAILWAY BOARD'S EULOGY

The members of the Eailway Head Office staff assembled' last evening to bid farewell to Mr. B. A. Marris, who after almost 39 years' service, is on the point of retiring on superannuation. He was presented with a Kaiapoi travelling rug, a dinner service, and a case of cigarettes as a mark of esteem by his fellow officers. ; . Mr. James Mason, senior member of the Railway; Board, presided, and Mr. A. W. Mouat and executive officers were also present. . , Mr. Mason said Mr. Marris had ierved the Department faithfully and with great ability for a large number of years, almost 39r During that period he had had very wide experience. : In the first place lie served in tho traffic department, later on for some timo in the maiutenanco department, then in tho locomotive department, and for

some three years during the Great War was secondfed for duty in tho Uefeneo Department, and whilst there gave distinguished service, so much so that when ho returned to the B a i Iway Department, or was about to return, ho was considered worthy of being honour-

od by being made a Member of tlie British Empire Onto;. "That will j give you an idea of what ho was thought of outside the service," saidl Mr. Mason. "It has been my pleasuro ami privilege to know Mr. Mnrris for a number of years, and I must say that in my opinion it would bo difficult to find an officer moro zealous in the performance of his duty, moro faithful, and more loyal to thoao with whom he worked than he is. . . .During the time he has occupied the position of superintendent of staff he has had a very heavy load to carry. That load ho has carried conscientiously and well." Mr. Mason wished both Mr. and Mrs. Marris a very happy time in the years to come. Mr. Mouat said there must come a time with them all when thoy must sever connection with the Department and pass onco more into privato life. "But although the. separation must comes ns a break," said Mr. Mouat, "I cannot help feeling that there must also como a sonso of freedom. Ido not propose to add anything further except to say that I hope that Mr. Marris will have a long and happy period of retirement.after his "many years of faithful service in tho Department." The heads of all branches of the service also joined with the board members in expressing their regret that they had to sever official connection with an officer held in such high esteem ns Mr. Marris, and'in wishing him nil happiness and prosperity in tho new business upon which ho intends to devote his time. ; Mr. E. Hampton, secretary of -the Railway. Q/ncqj's^ Institute, also oxpressed the. :general, opinion when-he' said how happily relations had been maintained between the staff superintendent and tho organisation which he represents. ■ •Mr. Marris said that it was very gratifying to him to see such a large number of his follow employees as-1 sembled to bid him farewell—ho did not know lie was so popular. Ho took the opportunity also to say that although ho had.expected to go out with rather pleasurable feelings he found that ho ielt the parting very much. During the time ho had been in the service If had made very many friends, and he hoped to still bo able to keep in touch with_ them. He had always tried to do his best, and concluded by thanking the board and particularly Mr. Mason with whom ho had been most closely associated, for the kindly consideration they had shown during tho time" ho had occupied the position of staff superintendent. / Ho also thanked the speakers for the kindly referonco thov had made to his wife who, he assured them had always been of great assistance to him .'throughout his service. J. he. .gathering closed with cheers and' the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good