STAFF PAYS TRIBUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 225, 22 September 1945, Page 4

STAFF PAYS TRIBUTE

MR. P. H. CURTIS HONOURED

POPULAR RAILWAY OFFICER

Railwaymen from all parts of tht Wanganui administrative district assembled in the Savage Club Hall last night to farewell Mr. P. H. Curtis, district traffic manager, Wanganui, for the past two years, who has retired on superannuation after completing 40 years’ service with the department.

The district extends from Palmerston North to New Plymouth, and from Okahukura, just north of Taumarunui, and also includes the Stratford Main Trunk. Speakers expressed their warm appreciation of the interest show n by Mr. Curl is in all members of the traffic branch in this widespread area. On behalf of the staff, Mr. A. V. Finley, assistant district traffic manager. Wanganui, presented Mr. Curtis with two fireside chairs. The chairman, Mr. H J Thomas, who presided on behalf of the Railway Officers’ Institute, said it was particularly pleasing to see that some members of the staff had travelled a long distance. He also welcomed several friends of Mr. Curtis, who represented the business section of the city. “This is an occasion for mingled pleasure and regret,” Mr. Thomas added. “One of pleasure because Mr. Curtis has travelled the road of endeavour with success, and has reached the culminating point, but one of regret becatise he is severing his connection with railwaymen in this district. Among them he has earned the repu’.aton of being a white man.” Mr. F. C. Wilson, assistant traffic manager. Wanganui referred to Mr. Curtis’ wide experience in the traffic branch. The thorough grounding he had had was exemplified by the way In which he quickly understood the Wanganui district after serving so long in Auckland. “He soon had a remarkably quick grasp of this area, and in all parts of the district I have heard the staff tributes to him,” Mr. Wilson added. Other speakers were: Mr. O. T. Dearsiey (A.S.R.S.). G. Boeseley (staff clerk) and Mr. H. Moorman (stationmaster, Feilding), who paid a tribute on behalf of all stationmasters in the district. Co-operation was essential in railway work, and without the co-opera-tion of all members of his staff a district traffic manager could do nothing, said M/-. Curtis, in reply. “So far as the Wanganui district is concerned I have always had that support,” Mr. Curtis added. The toast of the superannuitants was proposed by Mr. J. Jull, stationmaster, Wanganui, the reply being by Mr. A. J. Pritchard, retired district traffic manager. Items wore given by Messrs J. McDougall W. Johnstone, A. J. W. Hoddor nd M. Baird. Community singing whs led by Mr. Pritchard.