THE RAILWAYS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21556, 19 January 1940, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS

RETIREMENT OF OFFICERS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 18. Mr G. T. Wilson, Transportation Superintendent of the New Zealand Railways, retires on January 22 after 41 years’ service. His place will be taken by Mr A. L. Smith, District Traffic Manager at Wellington. Mr Wilson joined the department at Dunedin as a cadet. He came to headquarters in 1917, and from 1924 to 1928 he was associated with the commercial branch as chief clerk and senior business agent, and represented the department at a number of conferences of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the Farmers’ Union, and other organisations, and introduced the system of inter-island through booking of goods and parcels and the present system of reservation of seats. From 1032 to 1935 he was District Traffic Manager at Auckland, and was then appointed to the post he now relinquishes. A large gathering of railway officers farewelled him yesterday. Tributes were paid by the General Manager (Mr G. H. Mackley) and his executives. A presentation was made of a charming china cabinet and an easy chair, with best wishes for the future welfare of himself and his wife and family. Mr Smith joined the department in 1903 as a cadet. He was with the forces in the Great War. In 1932, he was stationmaster at Greymouth, and the next year was Goods Agent at Christchurch. After experience in the commercial branch at Wellington, he went to Wanganui as Assistant Traffic Manager, and the r ollowing year was transferred here as District Traffic Manager. Mr Mackley took occasion to bid farewell on behalf of the head office staff to Mr W. M. Cole, District Traffic Manager at Wanganui, and Mr W. Rodgers, District Traffic Manager at Christchurch, both of whom are retiring on the completion of 40 years’ service.