LONG SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23722, 31 July 1940, Page 11

LONG SERVICE

RAILWAYS SURVEYS PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEER MR. A. J. BAKER TO RETIRE [BY TELEGBAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Tuesday After 42 years' service, Mr. •A. J. Baker, assistant engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, retires tomorrow. Mr. Baker, who is 59 years of age, joined the Civil Service on March 18, 1898, as a clerical cadet in the Defence Department, Wellington, and' in 1904 was granted an engineering cadetship in the head office of the Public Works Department. A year after-he was transferred to the southern end. of the North Island Main Trunk railway construction works, and later to the King Country end of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway survey. While located there he was promoted to assistant engineer in 1908.

In 1901? Mr. Baker was transferred to Whangarei district, and was engaged on the trial survey of the Kawakawa - Hokianga railway until 1911, when he returned to the Strat-ford-Main Trunk railway survey, and was afterward in charge of the construction of the King Country end of that line. Assuming control of a public works district for the first time at the age of 32, Mr. Baker in 1914 was appointed resident engineer at Taumarunui. where he remained until his transfer on promotion to district engineer at Dunedin in 1919. In 1921 Mr. Baker became district engineer at Auckland, and three years later he transferred to head office as inspecting engineer. After holding that position ior more than 11 years, he was appointed assistant engi J neer-m-chief.