NEW ENGINEER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 6

NEW ENGINEER

POWER BOARD POSITION

OLD GISBORNITE CHOSEN

MIL FRANK MATTHEWSON

The Poverty Bay Electric Power Board to-day selected Mr. Frank Matthewson, at present assistant engineer to the Southland Power Board, to fill the post of engineer vacated by Mr. G. T. Ciithliert. Mr. Cuthbert, who was born in Gisborne, is proceeding to an appointment with the Victorian Electricity Commission. and his successor will take up his duties towards the end of next month. Mi'. Matthewson is also an old GisboHfehoy, having received his primary education here.

The how appointee, was selected from between 40 and £0 applicants from all parts of Now Zealand and from some cities in Australia. He is ji Bachelor oi Engineering, of Canterbury College, and an associate member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. ' Alter completing his primary education in Gisborne, he went to Nelson College, for four years, and from 1916 to 1920 was at- Canterbury University College, taking his engineering course, and securing his degree there. Immediately afterwards, lie gained practical experience in the Petorie railway workshops, and from 1921 to 1923 was with the Public Works Department in the. Waikato, where he secured a knowledge of power station operation, maintenance and fitting at Horahora; and also of installing sub-stations and metering plant in the Waihi goldmining area, drawing office experience at Hamilton, and also of transmission line erection.

Front 1923 to 1926 lie was with the Southland Electric Power Board as test engineer during the construction period, his duties including the purchase of materials and plant, and special problems in rural distribution. He became chief assistant engineer to the Southland Power Board in 1926, and has retained that position up to the present, handling every phase of power board work, including extensions of distribution lines, the installation of many electrical power plants for industrial purposes, and advising three freezing companies and the Mataura paper mills on electrical developments, by permission of his board. Mr. Matthewson has presented several papers on practical electrical engineering subjects to the annual conference of engineers.

EXECUTIVE POSITS

OFFICERS’ RESIGNATIONS

On the motion of Mr. F. R. Ball,, chairman, the resignation of Mr. G. T. Cuthbert from the of engineer of the Poverty Bay Electric-Power Board was accepted.with regret to-day, the resignation to take effect from October iS. The board also recorded its appreciation of Mr. Cuthbert’s work as engineer for the past three years, particularly in connection with tho reticulation system and the installation of the automatic system of control at the power-house. Mr. H. IT. De Costa seconded the motion, stating that the board was losing the services of a valuable engineer. Tho chairman stated that the manager and engineer were leaving their respective positions with the board with their work in such excellent order that their successors would have no known difficulties to face. The hoard noted with pleasure tho progress of both its executive officers, who had left the board to better their positions. The chairman’s remarks were warmly supported, by Messrs. T. Corson and C. W. Jzod, tho latter emphasising the benefits the electrical contractors had received from close co-operation with the manager and engineer. Mr. Izod added that the departure of Mr. Cuthbert from New Zealand would mean an urn , fortunate loss to the electrical industry in the Dominion.

Mr. Charles Matthews, speaking tt» one of the newer members, also supported the chairman, stating incidentally that it was a credit to New Zealand and to Gisborne that Australia bad to come over the Tasman to secure the man it had wanted. HIGH QUALIFICATIONS Air. T. Tr,afford also spoke briefly, mentioning that lie lmd recognised from the start that the board would be lucky to retain the services of the respective officers for long, in view of their high qualifications. The chairman considered that the board had been fortunate in its selection of executive officers. It was a matter for pride that they had both bccii successful in competition with men, from all over New Zealand and Australia in sectn'ing higher positions elsewhere. Mr. V. E. Sanders, the manager, acknowledging the good wishes extended, to him, expressed appreciation of tho happy relations ho had enjoyed with members of the board. Mr. Cuthbert also replied briefly, stating that the encomiums regarding his own work were not all deserved. Ho had had full support in his work both from the board and the staff, lie thought the board hardly realised what a fine outside staff it had; he wished that he could have let, the hoard see the work of the staff in the “front-line,” on a stormy night! In conclusion, Mr. Cuthbert stated that he had tried to do his best lor the board and the district, and in his new( sphere he would try to deserve the goodwill expressed towards him, and to keep the good name of Gisborne.