High Office For Ex-Whangarei Man

Northern Advocate, 25 October 1947, Page 3

High Office For Ex-Whangarei Man

xvir C. R. Lovatt, third son of the late Charles Robert Lovatt, Tormerly of Whangarei, has been appointed chief signal and electrical engineer of the New Zealand Railways. Educated at the Whangarei Boys’ High School, where he matriculated in 1920, Mr Lovatt left in 1921 for Wellington where he joined the electrical and signals department of the railways as a cadet. While serving his seven-year apprenticeship Mr Lovatt was under the then district inspector, Mr P. J. Mcllvride, now living in retirement at Onerahi. Mr Lovatt then worked for a year each in the line branch, the mechanicians branch and the draughting office.

He later received his M.Sc. from Victoria University College, and became a Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. It was mainly on his suggestion that the department began to train its own architects, thus doing away with the necessity to employ men from private firms. His department is now responsible for designing, approving, and installing of all safety devices used by the Railway Department. On the death of Mr G. Wyles in January, Mr Lovatt became acting chief signal and electrical engineer. « In 1932 Mr Lovatt visited Australia to widen his experience in railways practice.

He has been in the Railway Department for 28 years, and is aged 42.

POROTI The October meeting was the 14th birthday of the Poroti Women’s Institute. A large number of guests attended. A duet was sung by Mrs Doull and Mrs Bremer. A play, "Snowed in With the Duchess,” was presented by four members of the Poroti institute. Mesdames Sakar, Oldfield, Jamieson and Blackstock. Solos were sung by Mrs Chaplin (Maungatapere) and Mrs Brewer. Mrs Moschini (Kara) won the mixed vase of flowers competition. Mrs Sloane and Mrs Pearson drew in the "pass the parcel” contest. Mrs H. Peterson (Maungatapere) was the winner of the "spot on the cup” competition. The mail box was read by Mrs Jameson. The birthday cake was made and iced by Mrs Langman.