VALEDICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 6 May 1931, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

MR. J. BROWN RETIRES

LOYAL RAILWAYS OFFICER

Tho ■Wellington District Traffic Manager of the Railways, Mr. J. Brown, who has retired on superannuation, was farowollcd on Monday by a largo gathering of the staff. Mr. G. Wilson, Assistant Traffic Manager, who presided, characterised Mr. Brown as ono of the ablest transport men who had served tho railways. The Government had recognised his services by appointing him to the - Shunting Commission, and by putting- him on the Begradiug Committee. He was appointed Superintendent oi 1 Staff, and in that capacity served the Department well on the Appeal Board. He also served well and ably as District Traffic Manager. The mass of information and material that Mr. Brown compiled was astonishing. He had never been a "five o'docker," and,he possessed the | ability to control. Mr. M; Dcunehy, the Assistant General Manager, said he knew of no man who is held in higher esteem. For unfailing courtesy and attention Mr.' Brown had set a very high example j He never expressed an opinion unless he was able to back it up, and his knowlodge of the working conditions and I the filling of positions left nothing to be desired. \Mr. P. G. Eousscll (General Superintendent of Transportation) highly prais-1 ed Mr. Brown's capabilities, and Mr. H., Valentine (Chief Accountant) endorsed what had been said. Mr. J. C. Schneider, who will take over Mr. Brown's duties, said that their guest had a wonderful experience and knowledge of transport. He had displayed great energy in carrying out the work, and he had also dealt with tho staff in an honest manner, which all had appreciated. Mr.' W. Schicrniug, Acting Goods Agent, said that Mr. Brown was always easy to approach. He waa_ ever willing to give guidance and advice jto those junior to himself and to discuss any problem.which cropped up. He was ominently fitted for the position of District Traffic Manager, and it was unfortunate that he should be leaving the Department at a time when perhaps his services would,bo of so much y value. Messrs'. Cameron, former Traffic Manager, G. H.. Mackley, Chief Clerk, and Kobertson, of the locomotive' branch, also spote appreciatively, of Mr. Brown. The General Manager (Mr. H. H. Sterling) agreed that Mr. Brown's retirement would be a loss to the Department. What had particularly struck him about Mr. Brown was his fairness. ' I have felt," said Mr. Sterling, "that he was a man of very high, ideals who took a serious view of his citizenship and Ms contact with , his -fellow men. I ,do not think he-would contemplate for a moment doing anything of tho slightest degree whatever that would subtract from the sum total of human happiness, and his actions in his daily contact with his fellow-citizens ' have brought a degree of respect and esteem to Mr. Brown that any of us might woll envy. One other aspect of his character, both aa a citizen and as. an officer of tho Department, is his very great loyalty. I do not N desire that to be taken in a personal sense, as particularly referring to his present superior officers, but Mr. Brown's loyalty and dovotionsto his industy, his dosiro Jo put the railway service on a still higher plane as regards the quality o,f service, proved Mr. Brown to be a man of high ideals) adequately discharging every responsibility resting upon hinu Mr. Sterling presented Mr. Bro^fn with a bag of clubs and a pipo, and wishod him a long and pleasurable retirement. ./ ' . , Mr. Brown said, he had ,appreciated the team work during ,his ,yeaJS' in Wellington. His successor,woula finanis staff loyal. He said tie deeply appreciated their,kind words and gift.- •_;