A RESPECTED RAILWAY OFFICER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 27

A RESPECTED RAILWAY OFFICER.

PRESENTATION AND FAREWELL.

To honour an old and esteemed officer of the Railways Department in the person of Mr H. P. West on the eve of his retirement from the position of district traffic manager for Dunedin, over 70 railway officers assembled at a social evening in the railway social hall on Saturday evening. The gathering, which was presided over by Mr W. F. White, inside assistant district traffic manager, was of a happy nature, although there is no question that every man present was sincerely and deeply sorry at the departure of his respected chief or colleague, as the case may be. Mr West has served 40 years in tho Railways Department, and during that time ho has made a host of friends inside and outs-de tho department, tor. as many speakers said at the function on Saturday evening, he was at all times approachable, and just to those who worked under him. The toast list, which was a substantial one, was interspersed by a number of musical items contributed by the guests, among whom were discovered an expert saxaphonist, an expert xylophonist, a pianist and one or two singers of songs serious and comic. Among those who paid tribute to the qualities of Mr West was the Prime Minister and Minister of Railways (Mr J. G. Coates) whose arrival late in the evening was the signal for an enthusiastic outburst of applause and the singing ot “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow. ’ Mr Coates expressed his sincere regret in the retirement of Mr West, for the department he said, was losing a very capable, very earnest and a very thorough and genuine servant who had gained the confidence of the public. “We know that Mrs Most has helped him all the way through,” Mr Coates added, “ and she deserves a great part of the credit.” The Prime Minister also remarked that Mr West, now he was leaving, might feel that he had gained the confidence of the Government and all those who had come in contact with him, and one was forced to tho conclusion that he was a man of vision, of right ideas, and he had. after all, served only one master—the department. He had set a fine example to the young men in the service, not only by his attention to detail, but also by principle. “ I know, however,” said the Minister, “ that in the service we have healthy, strong young men who are itching for responsibility. and we like to give them a chance. Long service and no promotion must have the effect of definitely deterring the noition of every young man who wants to get along. Therefore, 1 think it is wise that after 40 years’ service we have ’O make way for those who are following. I have complete confidence in every young man in the railway service.” Mr Coates concluded his speech by paying a gra- fiil compliment to Mr Sword, Mr West’s successor.

lhe principal feature of the function was the presentation to Mr West of a handsome gold watch, inscribed, and a beautiful silver afternoon tea service for Mrs West. Mr White, in making the presentation on behalf of the officers of the department, said that Mr West had carried out his duties thoroughly and capably, and was deeply respected by every member of the service in all branches. He was, at all times, approachable, and they were all very sorry to lose him. The regret of the staff was. however, relieved to some degree in the popular appointment of Mr Sword as dis- - trict traffic., manager. Ho would like to add that tho presentation represented the appreciation and goodwill of 400 subscribers from ail branches of the service. Mr Benzoni supported Mr White’s remarks, at the same time wishing Mr West success in his new position as secretary o’f the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. Mr Sword, who, incidentally, went to school with the retiring officer, also testified to his merits “ I don’t know of anyone,” he said, “ who is a more God-fear-ing, upright, and straightforward man. I join with everyone in wishing Mr and Mrs West long life, happiness, and prosperity.’’ Other speakers were Mr K. Chambers (station master, Dunedin), Mr J. Miller (goods department), Mr Watt (guards), Mr Ibbotson (locomotive branch), Mr J. Ramsay and Mr Page (A.S.R.S.), Mr J. Aitken (train running), Mr Pearson (locomotive foreman), Mr G. Le Fevre (Railway Officers’ Institute). Mr Curran (station master, Mosgiel), Mr Caldwell ( signal inspector), and Mr Cockburn (traffic inspector). The toast of Mr West was then drunk with musical honours, an extra cheer bein£ given for Mrs West, and a third for “ the young Wests.” Mr West made a feeling reply, saying that the handsome gifts would be greatly treasured as a perpetual reminder of the 40 years he had spent in the service, and of the department of which ~he had always been so proud. Mr West paid a warm tribute to all the officers of the various departments of the service. The Exhibition had showed what the railways could do and what could be done by the whole co-operation of the staff. In passing the torch on to Mr Sword ho could only say to his friend and erstwhile colleague, “ Carry on.” “ I know he will do that,” Mr West concluded, “ in a verj able manner, and he will, I know, have every man in the service behind him.” — (Applause and more musical honours.) In addition to thos’e directly concerning Mr West there were several other toasts, dealt with on a comprehensive scale. Mr C. E. Barnes, in proposing the toast of the Railways Department, spoke as “ one of the public who make use of the railways.” Making reference to the concessions that had been made of late bv the department, he said that this would, no doubt, have a good effect in combating motor transport. Competition in that direction, however, was only in its infancy, and it would become more acute, but as time went on it would be found that the department would have the bulk of tho transport business. The present opinion of the public was that the Railways Department wias now more efficient and satisfactory in every respect than it had ever been. In conclusion, he said that he would couple with the toast tho names of Mr Benzoni and Mr B. _R. Sword, the new district traffic manager.