After 38 Years

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 508, 10 November 1928, Page 1

After 38 Years

Auckland Stationmaster to Retire from Service POPULAR AND OFFICER Auckland’s popular stationmaster, Mr. James C- Duncan, will retire on Wednesday, after completing 38 years’ service Railway Department. Mr. Duheari lias not enjoyed the best of health for some time, and on the advice of his doctor he has decided to give up his position. During his 38 years with the department, Mr. Duncan has been stationed in almost every district in both the North and • South Islands. He was born at, Napier, and joined the railways as a cadet at Wanganui in 1890. After working through the junior ranks of the service, he was appointed booking clerk at Palmerston North, where, he stayed for three years. His next promition canie in 1899, when he went as clerk to the superintendent’s office in Dunedin. From there Mr. Duncan was appointed stationmaster at Totara Flat, at that time the centre of extensive gold-dredging activity, and he recalled this morning that five dredges were busy in that area during the time he was there. From Totara Flat Mr. Duncan went to Greymouth as chief goods clerk, and later was appointed to the traffic manager’s office there. His next rise came in 1921, when he went to Christchurch as relieving officer. He left there in 1924 to become stationmaster at Oamaru. In March of the following year Mr. Duncan was appointed to his present position of stationmaster at Auckland. His unfailing tact and courtesy, and his keen attention to the welfare of the department, have always made Mr. Duncan a capable and popular officer. He is a keen bowler, and a member of the committee of the Auckland Bowling Club. The Orphans’ Club also claims him as a member. Mr. Duncan will take a long holiday before he settles down in Auckland, where he intends to reside with his family. Mr. H. E. Adams, stationmaster at Frankton Junction, will succeed Mr. Duncan at Auckland. Mr. E. Clarke, of Lyttelton, will take Mr. Adams’s place at Frankton Junction.