FRANKTON FAREWELL

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21082, 8 April 1940, Page 9

FRANKTON FAREWELL

STATIONMASTER RETIRES GATHERING OF RAILWAYMEN CONSIDERATION FOR STAFF Because his chief interest was the welfare of the men working under him, Mr W. G. Stewart, who has retired from the position of stationmaster at Frankton Junction, was a popular superior officer among the railway employees at the Dominion’s largest rail centre. When he was farewelled on Saturday night by a large gathering of railwaymen in the Railway Social Hall, Mr Stewart received an enthusiastic expression from the men of their esteem for him. During the evening a gold watch was presented to Mr Stewart on behalf of the railway employees by Mr H. H. Hornblow, acting-station-master. He also received on behalf of Mrs Stewart a wallet containing a sum of money.

In reply, Mr Stewart said that he had always endeavoured to guard the interests of the men under him. It was pleasing to him to know that he had had, during his term of office, the confidence of those men. When he came to Frankton the staff worked under conditions which he could not describe as anything else but a disgrace. Changes were made, however, with the result that the service to the public became vastly improved. Now, at the biggest railway centre in New Zealand, complaints were very few and when that could be said and also that Mr Stewart had no cause to reprimand any of his men, it indicated how well the organisation was progressing and working in harmony. Mr Stewart paid a particular tribute to the locomotive men who, he said, were the mainstay of the railway service. Co-operation From Staff Throughout his career, Mr Stewart added, he had tried to do a job as well as he would expect other men to do it. The two years that he had been at Frankton as stationmaster had been a pleasure to him. The organisation was now so efficient that a stationmaster was scarcely essential to ensure the smooth operation of all rail traffic at the junction. His staff co-operated admirably. Several toasts were honoured during the evening, and many speakers made eulogistic reference to Mr Stewart as a stationmaster and more particularly as a friend of the railwaymen who worked under him. Mr J. Terry, in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Railways, spoke of the asset to the country of the railway system. He emphasised the value of having the railway State-owned and considered that, as a result, the conditions of employment for the railway men were much superior to those in the majority of other countries in the world where private enterprise for the most part controlled the rail systems. He stated that, whereas the number cf people employed in the New Zealand Railways during the depression was just more than 17,000, the number had now reached 25,810. Last year 60 new carriages had been constructed, 1776 new waggons, three rail cars, nine electrical locomotives, and many new engines. In fact, at the Hutt workshops one new K class locomotive was being constructed every five weeks. Many Improvements Mr Hornblow referred to the work of Mr Stewart as stationmaster when proposing the toast of the guest-of-honour. When Mr Stewart arrived in Frankton he observed closely the improvements that were required. The guards were working too long so he took steps to see that additional guards were stationed at the junction; goods trains were in his opinion too slow away so he improved the service and also extended the goods sheds; and made many other improvements at the station also. Above all, however, he revealed great sympathy for his staff. Work of the Government Following the presentation to Mr Stewart presentation speeches were made by representatives of the different railway departments and the various railwaymen’s organisations. Speakers were:—Messrs T. Luxton (locomotive), W. Ryan (Shunters’ Council), Waters (A.S.R.S.), W. Park (Guards’ Club), J. Cameron (R. 0.1.), M. Harris (management), P. Gavin (superannuitants), Roberts (porters), W. Hughes (foremen), L. Fahey (signals), Crozier (maintenance), R. G. Babyn (refreshments). In proposing the toast of the Government, Mr P. Gavin, expressed the view that the Labour Government had produced a great deal of progressive and beneficial legislation from the railway employees’ point of view. He wished the Government long life and prosperity. Replying, Mr C. A. Barrell, M.P. for Hamilton, made reference to the work of the railways in relation to the death of the late Prime Minister and expressed confidence in the new leader, the Hon. P. Fraser. He also spoke of the reforms introduced by the Government, particularly those on behalf of the soldiers who now lived in comfort in contrast to the often shabby conditions of the soldiers of 1914-18.