CHIEF POSTMASTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 116, 20 May 1942, Page 4

CHIEF POSTMASTER

MR. McCOWATT RETIRING ON SUPERANNUATION FORTY YEARS’ SER\ ICE V.UH I‘. AND T. DEPARTMENT. The Chief Postmaster. Wanganui. Mr. D. R. McCowatt, will be retiring from the service of the Post and Telegraph Department in about two weeks’ time, having completed 40 years’ service with the department. Mr. and Mrs. McCowatt. will then takeup residence in New Plymouth. Joining the P. and T. Department at Auckland in 1902, Mr. McCowatt was a telegraph messenger at. Auckland. Later he was transferred to Blenheim as a telegraphist. Transfers to Wellington. Eketahuna, and Wellington again followed, and in 1920 Mr. McCowatt was appointed postmaster at Johnsonville. Appointments in a similar capacity to Ranlurly, in Centra. Otago, and' Port. Chalmers followed and then he became an inspector for six years, being stationed at Dunedir. i and Auckland in turn. Appointed chiel postmaster at Thames. Mr. McCowatt was transfererd to New Plymouth in 1939. and in March of last year he received his present appointment as chief postmaster at Wanganui. The date April 1 figures prominently in Mr. McCowatt's career in the P. and T. Department. He first took up duties on April 1, 1902. It was on the first of April he assumed office as chief postmaster at Thames, and on April 1, 1939, he took up duties at New Plymouth. Two years later, on April 1. 1941. he commenced duty as chief postmaster at Wanganui. His retirement would have taken place on April 1 of this year, but for the fact that the department was reluctant to lei him go. Cabinet’s consent to his application for release from duties was received this week. Mr. McCowatt has a multitude ofl offices as well as being chief postmaster. He is district oil fuel controller, district rationing officer, controller of E.P.S. communications, and a member of the National Savings committee. He is also a member oi the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. When stationed at New Plymouth Mr. and Mrs. McCowatt took a great liking to the chief centre of Taranaki, hence their'decision to take up residence there on Mr. McCowatt’s retirement.