OBITUARY.
MR, JOHN ROBERTSON. The death has occurred at Auckland of Mr. John Robertson, formerly of Oamaru,at the age of 82 years. Mr. Robertson was one of the pioneer engineers- of tho New Zealand Government railways, and helped to build and afterwards droVe two of the first locomotives to run between Dunedin and Christchurch. Born in Scotland, he came to New Zealand in 1861. Ho joined the railway service at Oamaru and subsequently was transferred to Auckland.
Mr. Robertson's courago saved many lives on an occasion that is still vivid in the minds of those who remember the early "eighties." A runaway engine was emerging from the Newmarket tunnel when Mr. Robertson jumped aboard it'and saved it from colliding with the train for which he was responsible. On Mr. Robertson's train were 250 passengers, and so thankful were they for their escape that they collected £250 for him. The Government would not allow him to accept it, but increased his wages by sixpence a day.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20861, 1 May 1931, Page 14
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165OBITUARY. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20861, 1 May 1931, Page 14
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