LATE MR G. S. LANGFORD

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 7

LATE MR G. S. LANGFORD

AN APPRECIATION. (Contributed.) “His life was gentle And the elements so mixed in him That nature might stand up and say to all the world, This was a man.” These words of that giant critic of men—Shakespeare—are applicable as a fitting tribute to the late George Sherwin Langford. Testimony in this paper has already been paid to the outstanding qualifications he had for his responsible position as manager of the Linton coal-mines, but it is from the diffident and rather hesitating pen of one who worked in daily contact with him for over ten years and who knew him intimately, that this humble but sincere appreciation is paid. To the hundreds of men in his employ Mr Langford gave the same courtesy and consideration as would he to those from whom he himself, might receive instructions. His university education was not necessary to make him what he was, a gentleman, cultured, polished, refined and yet one of nature’s sons. The most intricate and puzzling problems regarding engineering or machinery found simple solutions in the cal-

dilating, mathematical mind of this deep thinker, this keen observer. Sympathetic to every worthy cause, he proved that with his generosity, one of his many admirable traits, to the writer, whose early friendship deepened into an affection amounting almost to hero worship, was his great faith in human nature, his firm belief in his fellow-men; he scorned to harbour any ill-will to anyone, and his very position, the controller and organizer of numbers of men of vaiying outlook, found this attribute often sorely tried, but never wanting.

Naturally endowed with an unusual creative genius, he found great pleasure in inventing, using his initiative, coupled with his practical ability _ in planning and producing new devices, original designs for use in mine-work. He was recognized as an engineer of the first order, but one was always impressed by his modesty, his unassuming, quiet personality. Pose or affectation was foreign to a nature like his and he thoroughly avoided all publicity or glare of the limelight. Days spent with his family, his home, his church, and his work provided all he asked for. His was a full life, a busy

life, each working day spent among his men and his machinery, but last year saw him bravely fighting the inevitable enemy, failing health, and he commanded the admiration of all as he continued his work determinedly, doggedly, and many were the heavy hearts carried by his large band of employees when they instinctively felt his days were numbered, the parting of the ways very near. He was gradually weakening and frequently wracked with great pain. This man, suffering so, never in his life would crush a humble moth, and we strong, hardened men of toil sorrowed and were sad, but not so he, himself; he always spoke of his plans when he should return to his interesting work and to the last his wonderful brain was alert, active and clear, and his mine-men of all types, of al) creeds, realizing his inestimable worth to-day grieve sorrowfully in their irreparable loss. Lovable and kind, all will feel the influence of this strong character; his memory will be revered and treasured in these parts for many years; he will ever be fondly spoken of as a king among men. Could this poor, imperfect pen convey to paper in free, fluent language all it would wish, that would not be one-tenth enough to do him justice and honour; his type is all too rare, he lived among us, worked among us, a varied, diverse crowd we are, and now we would have those near and dear to him know what he meant to us—a kindly overseer issuing our orders, a wise counsellor giving us advice, a just judge hearing our difficulties and an impartial arbiter settling our disputes—a man among men. We would have them know that “To live in hearts we leave behind Is not to die.”