PORT OF LONDON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 22

PORT OF LONDON

AUTHORITY'S NEW REPRESENTATIVE ■ MR T. R. TOOVEY (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Oct. 2. The Port of London Authority has appointed Mr T. R. Toovey as its new representative in Australia and New Zealand. His headquarters are to be in Sydney, and he sails for Australia on November 6 to take over his duties from Captain A. W. Pearce, the Authority's retiring representative. Since 1924, Mr Toovey has been principal assistant to the general manage, Sir David Owen. He has had previous experience of both New Zealand and Australia, for he made an extensive tour for the Authority in 1929, in order to confer with the various Government departments and trading organisations, and to bring to the notice of producers and shippers the advantages of London as a market and a port. He made many friendships on that tour, and in renewing them he will continue this service as well as undertaking many other duties incident upon the large volume of trade which passes between Australia and New Zealand and LonMr Toovey, who comes of an old Oxfordshire family, has served the Port of London for 40 years. He joined the staff of the Thames Conservancy in 1897. and became a member of the original staff of the Port of London Authority on its formation subsequent to the passing of the Port of London Act. 1909. Before his appointment as principal assistant to the general manager, Mr Toovey held several other prominent positions, including that of staff manager. His experience in the latter post fitted him for appointments on committees, etc.. dealing with problems relating to the employment of labour in the Port of London as a whole. During the war period he was secretary to the committee appointed by the Government which directed the employment of Labour Battalions at the docks while there was a shortage of civil labour. His services in this capacity were recognised by the conferment of the M.B.E. Mr Toovey is a freeman of the city of London, and has been closely associated with some of the oldest city institutions. He is a member of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London, a governor of the Sir John Cass Technical Institute, and a governor of city charities connected with the Aldgate Ward. He was for some years churchwarden of All Hallows, Berkyngechirche. in which parish the head office of the Port of London Authority is situated, the vicar, the Rev. P. B. ("Tubby") Clayton, of Toe H renown, being honorary chaplain to the Port Authority. His recreations include motoring and ice skating; in his younger days he was devoted to walking, cycling, and rowing. He has taken great interest in the recreative organisations of the Port Authority's staff. He was one of the founders of the Sports' Association, and was chairman for some years; he has been chairman of the Swimming Club, with but a short break, since 1909. He has also served as chairman of the Association Football Club, and given his sympathetic support to many other recreational activities.