"Railway Board

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18350, 9 June 1931, Page 7

"Railway Board

the. personnel. WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MEN. COLONEL J. J. ESSON AS CHAIRMAN. (By Telegraph.—press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes) to-day announced the personnel of the new Railway Board, appointed under the Act of the special session for the removal of .the railways from political control. The name? are:— Colonel J. J. Esson, of Wellington, chairman. • Sir James Gunson, Auckland. Mr E. Newman, Rangltikei. Mr D. Reose, Christchurch. Mr G. W. Reid, Dunedin. THE CHAIRMANSHIP. A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT. MR STERLING TO SUCCEED. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. In announcing the personnel of the Railway Board of Control the Prime /Minister stated that so far as the >J chairmanship was concerned there ' would be an important development in due course, which will involve the retirement of Mr It. 11. Sterling from the position of general manager, to enable ■him to ultimately become chairman. Under the terms of the Finance Act Mr Sterling will not he eligible for'retirement until September. Therefore Colonel Esson has been appointed temporarily to the position of chairman. In September he will be succeeded by Mr Sterling. Under normal circumstances Mr Sterling would have been entitled to retire on a pension of £2041 per annum, but will now receive a greatly reduced pension, calculated on an actuarial basis, and £IOOO per annum as chairman of the board, instead of his present salary of £3150.

Mr James Jacob Esson, C.M.G., financial adviser to the Government, was born at Picton in 1869. Educated at public schools and privately, lie joined the Post and Telegraph Department in 1881, transferring to the Treasury in 1906. He served in the war and rose to the rank of colonel. Sir James Henry Gunson, Kl., C.M.'G., 0.8. E., J.P., one-time Mayor of Auckland, was born in that town In 1887. Educated at State schools and Auckland College in 1892, he entered his father's grain and produce business and held a controlling Interest until it was acquired by Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Company. A well-known business man, he. is a past-president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Harbour Board. He has travelled extensively. Mr Edward Newman, C.M.G., sheep and dairy farmer, was M.P. for Rangitikcl from 1908 to 1922, being elected a M.L.C. in 1923. A prominent member of the Farmers’ Union, he was A chairman of the Rangilikei Council for ■'2o years and served on various local bodies. He was the originator of the N.Z. Sheepowners’ Acknowledgement of Debt to British Seamen Fund, and chairman of trustees of the Flock House Estate. Mr Daniel Reese was born in Christchurch in 1879 and educated there and tho Canterbury College School of Engineering. After serving his apprenticeship at engineering he went to sea as a marine engineer from 1903 —6, travelling widely during the period. He returned to New Zealand in 1907 and bocamo a partner in Reese Brothers, lie is now managing director and director of cement, timber, brlok, coal, lime and shipping companies. He was a famous crloket and Rugby player. Mr G. W. Reid is well-known in commercial circles In Dunedin.