VALEDICTORY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4389, 21 June 1901, Page 6

VALEDICTORY.

AIR C. HUDSON FAREEWELLED. TESTIMONIES TO HIS WORTH. A large number of railway officers gathered at the Government Buildings yesterday afternoon to wish "God speed’’ to Air C. Hudson, AssistantManager of Railways in New Zealand, who has been appointed General Alanagcr of Railways in Tasmania. Air T. Ronayne, General Alanagor of Railways in Now Zealand, presided, and addressed those present as follows; Gentlemen, —We are hero to-day to bid goou-bye and God speed to Air Charles Hudson, who, as you are all aware, is leaving New Zealand to take up the higher position of General Alanager of the Tasmanian Government railways. It ix scarcely necessary for me, as tho permanent head of the Now Zealand Railway Department, to say that N Zealand’s loss will be Tasmania’s gain. Air Hudson was appointed Assistant-General Alanagor on the Ist January, 1895, when tho Government resumed control of the New Zealand railways. From that date he has been closely identified with tho management of the railway system of this colony. In his position as AssistantGeneral Aianager he has at all times rendered mo tho most loyal, cordial and valuable assistance, and, in short, gentlemen, h© has been my most valued counsellor and friend. During the time he has been associated with mens Assistapt-General Aianager the business of the New Zealand railways has developed in a most remarkable manner, as the following figures will testify: In 1895 we employed 4957 men, ran 3,221,620 train miles, carried 3,905,578 passengers, and 2,018,391 tons of goods In 1901 we employed 7793 men, ran 4,020,971 train miles, carried 6,243,593 passengers, and 3,339,687 tons of goods. The increases in six years, therefore, were 2830 men, 1.399,351 train miles, 2,338,015 passengers, and 1,291.296 tons of goods. In 1895 the revenue was £1,150,851, and the expenditure £732,160. In 1890 tlie figures wore £1,727,236 and £1,127,847 respectively. The increases were therefore £576,385 and £395,687 respectively. Air Hudson has throughout been a strong advocate of a liberal policy to the users of'the railways, the adoption of which has very largely contributed to their success, and the figures which I have just quoted amply demonstrate tho soundness of Air Hudson’s views, and show that tlio people of the colo.ny fully appreciate th e concessions granted. The following'are the particulars of Air Hudson’s connection with the Department, and I recommend the younger oflicers of the New Zealand Railway Service to emulate tile example of their late chief, as showing what may be attained by energy, perseverance and devotion to duty. Mr Hudson’s success, I would remind them, is proof of the old adage “There is always room at the top.” Mr Hudson entered the service of the Now Zealand Railway Department on 27th June, 1880, as relieving clerk, Wanganui; was promoted to head office in September of same year. H© was appointed Railway Audit Inspector (the first in the colony) on Ist April, 1882, and on 27th April, 1884, was promoted to the position of District Traffic Aianager, Auckland; this position he retained and filled with credit until 31st December, 1894, when he was selected to fill the responsible position of Assistant-General Aianager for the New Zealand railways, an appointment which ho has held till now. Prior •to entering the New Zealand Railway Service Air Hudson was in the service of the Groat Western Railway Company for nine years, during which he filled responsible positions in the statistical, passenger, goods and train running departments. Shortly after his appointment to the New Zealand railways ho was associated with the late General Manager in the reorganisation of the Department. The first book of instructions for the traffic staff, with accompanying form index, was drafted by IVar Hudson. The publication of this work was hailed with delight by the unfortunate members of the staff who had previously been dependent on circular instructions.

< You aro all acquainted with the Government Railways Department Classification Act, 1896, and its amendments, with the regulations made thereunder, and also witn D—3 list published yearly. Some of you, also, know that certain further amendments have been proposed in the Classification Act, and that a superannuation scheme has been submitted for consideration of the Government; .you are likewise acquainted with the Accounts Instruction Book and the Appendix to Working Time-tables, but very few of you know the enormous amount of work and anxiety which devolved upon Air Hudson personally in connection with their preparation. I can, however, testify that during tho whole of the period that Air Hudson has occupied the position of AssistantGeneral Aianager, he has been most untiring and unceasing in his efforts to promote the welfare of the railway staff. In leaving the colony, Air Hudson is fortunate in that he carries with him the best wishes of the New Zealand railway staff, the Government, and the heads of the various Government Departments with whom he has come in contact, and X am sure I am only givin£ expression to the sentiment of the railway men of the colony when I say that we deeply regret the fact of Mr Hudson leaving us, but since he has determined to do so, we all sincerely wish him and his long life, good health, prosperity and happiness in their ny home, and I can assure him that I— i old staff will watch his progress with the deepest interest.- It was intended to have made a presentation to Air Hudson before his departure, but the limited time and pressure of business will unfortunately, not permit of this being done. We shall, however, rorward after him a present from the railway officers as a token of the estimation' iu which he is held. (Applause). Mr J. Coom (Chief Engineer of Working Railways) said that for close on twenty years he had personal intimate relations with Air Hudson. He could testify that he was a capable, zealous, painstaking railway °m c ' el ’- f-s a man he was extremely sorry that the community were going to lose Air HudS °Mr A. L. B. Beattie (Locomotive Superintendent) extended the very best wishes for Mr Hudson’s future welfare, and hoped he would be as much appreciated in Tasmania as he had been in New Zealand. • . , , . „ Air Grant (Traffic Superintendent of the North Island) said he was not a prophet nor the son of a propuet, iet he would predict a great career tor Air Hudson, of whose capabilities he had formed a very high opinion. Alessrs Pyffe (Chief Accountant), Felton (Stores Aianager) and Burnett (Inspecting Engineer) all joined in wishing Air Hudson great success in the sphere to which he was about to dePa jh- Hudson responded very feelingly. He said: You have heard how long I have been connected with the department. Twenty-one years is practically a' man’s lifetime of work, and during the whole of that time I can honestly say I have been indebted to all of you for generous assistance. I hare never

failed yet to get from a man of the department help when I called upon him, I testify this, and I attribute the ex* cellcnce of th e stalf which the Railway Department possesses to the example of tho men who have gone before. Since the railway system was inaugurated in Now Zealand, they have been controlled by noble men, men who have exerted an excellent influence on all who have been associated with and who have succeeded them. I refer you to such names ns Blackett, Maxwell, Hannay, McKerrow, and your present General Manager. I am not surprised that the staffs with which they surrounded themselves have proved themselves unsullied men and good men. Wherever you go, in Australia or elsewhere, you hear the same thing. It is said of the New Zealand railway staff: ‘‘What good men they must be to work these railways without accident, under tho most difficult conditions, and without tools practically.” You as railway men know what I mean. We have had to struggle for years without proper appliances, and have done work which no staff not exceptionally capable and public-spirited could have accomplished. I very much regret to loavo you all; very much indeed. If it were" not for my sense of a higher duty to those dependent upon me, I would not go at all; but it is my duty, therefore I am going. I thank you all for your friendship and goodwill during all these years, and for your kindness and good words. (Loud applause.)