PRESENTATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12793, 11 June 1909, Page 7

PRESENTATION.

On Wednesday evening la=>i, a representative meeting of all classes of the railway service on the Wanganui section assembled in the Inspector of Permanent Way's Office, Aramoho, to make a presentation to Mr. R. W. Stewart, who is retiring on superannuation after 34 years service. Apologies for non-at-tendance were received from Mr. Henderson (engineer's office), W. Rouleston (guard), and J. Curtis (ganger). Mr. Dennehy, from the District Engineer's Office, occupied the chair, and in making the presentation, remarked that railway men were always pleased to recognise merit in any member of the service. During his 34 years of railway life Mr. Stewart had occupied several responsible positions', and carried out important work in the position of acting inspector of permanent way relaying and ballast ganger. He wished him many years of quiet enjoyment in his retirement, and concluded by stating that Mr. Stewart's friends in the service on the Wanganui section had subscribed nmoug themselves to procure a handsome gold albert and locket in memory of his labour among them. The locket was suitably inscribed as follows: "Presented to R. W. Stewart by employees on the Wanganui Section of New Zealand Railways. V

Mr. C. C. Leary (Inspector of Permanent Way), Mr. Simons (Station Master), Mr Rogers (Way and Works), Gangers Eades and Hoffman, and W- Pepper (Clerk), joined in testifying to Mr. Stewart's abilities as a thorough practical man in all work connected with the maintenance branch and of his willingness to teach and assist others in carrying out their duties. He had also rendered . valuable service to the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at conferences and as vice-president.

In returning thanks, Mr. Stewart said he joined the railway service in Scotland in 1863, and with the exception of one year had worked continuously at railway work ever since. The safety and welfare of the men under his charge had always been his chief consideration, and he could state, notwithstanding the dangerous nature of some of the work carried out under his supervision, no man had met with a serious accident. He was proud of the work he had done in connection with the Amalgamated Society for the improvement of the workers and he Considered the New Zealand railwaymen had at the present time one of the most up-to-date and well organised societies that existed in railway circles. He expressed his sincere thanks for the handsome present, which he prized, and it would always remind him of the bapnv time spent on the Wanganui Section of New Zealand Railways.

At the inquest into the circumstances connected with the death of the young man, A. C. Thompson, the jury brought in a verdict that deceased committed suicide whilst of unsound mind.

The question of re-building or repairing th local Customhouse has been under the consideration of the Public Works Department for some time, and the building was examined by a local expert. The result is that 'tenders are now being called for painting and renovating it.

With reference to the flash and explosive sound seen and heard by several local residents last evening, referred to in our local columns, many assert t>nt the disturbance was due to the fal!i>;:? of a meteor. In connection ",-if.' thi; ~STv t T. Ward, director of the Observatory, would be pleased to receive any information from those who witnessed the occurrence, particularly the beginning and ending of the flash.

For Influenza take Woods' Great Peppermint Curt. Never fails la 6d and 2« 6d.

If you 3re suffering from Biliousness, ache, invest one penny in a post card, Constipation, Indigestion, Chronic Headsend to Chamberlaia Medicine Co., 608, riarrip-atreet, Sydney, with your name and address plainly on the Back, and they vill forward you :i free sample of Cham1 erlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets. For sale by all chemieti and. storekeepers.