UNIQUE COMPLIMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19136, 3 October 1936, Page 8

UNIQUE COMPLIMENT

ENGINEER FAREWELLED

A' ALEDICTOR Y F V NOT fON

TRIBUTE TO .MR. CUTHBERT

Members of the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board’s staff last evening offered a unique compliment- to their chief, Mr. G. T. Cuthbert. on the eve of his departure to take up a post with the Victorian Electricity Commission. •

Mr. Cufhhert received a gift- of plate, inscribed with an expression of hourly goodwill, and speeches expressing regret at, his depart,ure, and confidence in Ins ability to climb to the top in his new sphere of employment, were made by representatives of all the departments, and also by members of I lie hoard and guests representing the various GoverniMpnt, departments' and private interests whose work has brought them into contact with Mr. Cuthherl, in his capacity of engineer to the board.

Among those present, together with an almost, complete muster of the board s employees, were Mesdames 1. A . Cutbbert, and (I. 'l'. Cntlibcrt. and .Messrs, h. !>,_ Ball, 0. Matthews, If. 11. lie Costa, M - . T. Trafford. T. Corson, C. W. God, and IT. S. Phillips, members of the Power Board. Mr. E. Walpole, telegraph engineer, Mr. .1. 1. Smaill, chief engineer of the Gisborne Refrigerating Company. Limited, Mr. Wells, of the Public Works Department’s electrical staff, and several others. Apologies were received from old friends of the engineer who were unable to be present, these including -Mr. W. H. Gregory, Mr. Cnthbort’s old chief on the W.nikarcmoana power scheme, Mr. J. Clayton, formerly on the. board’s engineering! stall, Mr. ■ I." Murray, until teccnt.lv chief engineer in charge ot the board’s power-house plant, and Messrs. T. E. Kelly and .1, S. Burgess, of Turn. Several references were made to Air. Culhbrrl’s successor. Mr. Frank ATatthewson. who shares with the departing engineer a lifelong •connection with this district, both having been born in Gisborne. HAPPY INCIDENTS The chair was taken by Air. Peter Mann, senior member of the board’s outside staff, regarding whom Air. I. RBall, chairman of the hoard, mentioned that lie would have full charge of the outside departments in the interval between the departure of Air. Cuthbert and the arrival of Air. Alattbewson to take up bis new: duties. Air. Ball also complimented Mr. Mann on having neon connected with the electrical supply business in Gisborne since its inception, and having given continuous satisfaction in the discharge of bis duties. A happy incident, was the presentation i of bouquets to Airs. T. A. Cuthbert and .Mrs. 0. T. Cuthbert, the presentation being carried out by Aliss Ladd, a member of the board’s clerical staff, to the accompaniment, of musical honours. The gathering as a whole was a most- happy ( function, and in the later portion of the evening, community singing and the recollection of amusing occurrences in connection with electrical .work here and elsewhere were keenly enjoyed. The lady guests and staff members followed an ancient custom bo retiring half-way through the proceedings, to the accompaniment of “Good-byee and a round of cheers. Speeches by members of the board and by Mr. Bourke, office staff. Air. Wells. Public Works Department, Air. Noilson, power-house, staff. Air. 11. Hudson, outside staff. Air. d. L. Smaill. Gisborne Refrigerating Company. Mr. E. L. Walpole, 'Post- and Telegraph Department-, Air. N. Redstone, wiremen, Mr. ('. \V. Hod, electrical contractors, and Mr. U. C. Jones, press, bore testimony to toe general regret at severing the connection with .Mr. Cuthbert, and the confidence felt by all present in bis capabilities. The relations existing between the departing engineer and his fellowemplove.es of the board were especially emphasised, while board members voiced their recognition of the importance. of Mr. Cnthbert-’s personality in securing for the public, the best service of which the staff was capable. A LINE WITH GISBORNE

Acknowledging the expressions of goodwill towards himself and Mrs. Cuthbort, and the presentation of a handsome silver salver, Mr. Cuthbcrt remarked that the gift of the Power Board employees would always command an honoured l place in bis home, and that it would serve to givo his children as they grew up a definite link with Gisborne mid its district. On behalf of his mother and his wife, as well as for himself, lie appreciated deeply the kindly remarks relating to his service with the Poverty Bav board.

“I have moved round a good deal since ] left the university,” said Mr. Cuthbcrt, “and have had some, experience which should qualify me in forming a sound opinion on the subject 'of staffing. In Manchester I was one of 10,000 employees, and, moving from department to department, I saw a good deal of the different types of workmen and their work. It was a wonderful opportunity for training in judging the capacity and character of a man. “fii these days when one hears so much of the machine spoiling the man, jfc is important for an engineer to know his staff thoroughly. I have to thank I hose who have worked under my direction and in rompers!ion with me in Poverty Bay for the way they have carried out their duties. Occasions have arisen when it was necessary to work long hours, and on every occasion the men have risen to it, and done everything that one could have asked. Their wives, too, have helped more than outside people, could realise. When you are facing rough jolts, in rough weather, and in difficult conditions otherwise, an engineer likes lo know that the men with him are good men, and I have had that satisfaction throughout my connection with the Poverty Bay Power Board." TIIE OTHER MAN’S VIEW Speaking of (lie relations hehveen himself arid certain of the guests who had spoken earlier, Mr. Oulhbert remarked that in the. discussion of problems of electrical service, there were plenty of points on which any failure to take the other man’s' point of view into consideration could lead to friction, lie had always tried lo keep that in mind, and the response from all with whom lie had l laid to deal had helped towards the solution of every problem tackled. He had made many demands on the clerical stall', and (hey had always been met readily and with accuracy, and with a helpful spirit which smoothed (he path to success, The ■same co-operation had been accorded him by Messrs. Smaill and Walpole, in

their respective, spheres, and by members of the Public Works Department’s stall'. The departing engineer also acknowledged tho compliment paid to him by bo«vd members Try their attendance,'and tho assistance lie bad received from tlieni in his official duties throughout bis association with the board. lie referred again to the work of the outside stall', stating that electrical reticulation work could not be adequately supervised by any man, and that the quality of the work done, especially in times of urgency, depended to a large extent upon the loyalty of the men. ITc had found that in every instance the job bad been tho first consideration with everybody, GOOD .TOP, WORTH WHILE Reference was made by Mr. Cuthbcrt to the absence from the gathering of Mr. Murray, former engineer in charge of tho power-house plant. If ever there was an engineer who loved a good job, it was Mr. Murray, be said; a thousandth part, of an inch to him bad been as a mile to anyone else where a fine job was in band. In this connection Mr. Cuthbort addressed a word to tho apprentices on the staff, reminding them that they had a great tradition to live up to, and that they should always feel that a. good job was worth while, just ns much to tlieni as to the senior men of the stall’. He bad been fortunate in having (netful officers on inspection work, lie continued, and in general lie felt that all with whom he had been associated had looked upon themselves as part of one great organisation to .bring tho benefits of electricity to the public', wit bout, regard to I hose petty jealousies which could mar the best efforts of anv group of men. “In conclusion. 1 should like to say that I have been helped right through my job in Poverty Ray by everyone in the industry, and flint I owe a great deal especially to my stall, f do not expoet ever to be so fortunate again in regard to the men with whom I have to work, or to find myself in a job where good feeling on all sides will make tilings as easy for mens they have been in Poverty Bay,” lie added amidst applause. In the course of the evening orchestral items were given !>v a talented orchestra under Mr. Wreford Wade, and by soloists including Messrs. W. Turbid, It. ■Sloan, G. Robinson, D. Heilman and L. Potts.