MR. G. H. MACKLEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 13

MR. G. H. MACKLEY

INFORMAL FAREWELL

The second phase of the last of a series of pleasant functions glinted in the annals of the Railway Department, as far as the General Manager, Mr. G. H. Mackley is concerned yesterday afternoon. It has been the custom for the magazine and publicity officers to-entertain Mr. Mackley an. nually, and for him to return the courtesy. It was Mr. Mackley's turn as host, and the sentiments exchanged informally showed the genuine respect and fellowship on both sides. Wishing the staffs concerned health, wealth, and prosperity, Mr. Mackley said he appreciated the good feeling towards himself which he had sensed over the years. He looked on them as fellow-men and friends, and in a rather new turn to the usual musical honours concluded alone in good voice, "And so say I," making it plural by singing it three times.

Mr. G. G. Stewart spoke of the affection of the staffs for Mr. Mackley, gained by his retention of the -youthful outlook rare in men of his age, and free of the so common loss of self in a protective armour of crystallisation and encrustation, unable to laugh without a qualm. Mr. Mackley had never kept silent in order to impress. His great asset was* approachability, but he could give praise for a good job or find fault with a bad one. For these reasons few men in his position had ever received such a response from his staff, or had been so sure of the men on it.

He presented Mr. Mackley with a sketch of himself by Mr. Maurice Poulton, signed by the staff, a vigorous portrait appreciative of the recipient's personality.

Mr. Mackley briefly replied, and the party then enjoyed informal anecdotes, many dealing with fishing, in which pursuit Mr. Mackley intends to commence his retirement amongst the salmon near the mouth of the Rangitata.