A POPULAR RAILWAY OFFICIAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 11, 25 March 1925, Page 17

A POPULAR RAILWAY OFFICIAL

MR. M. MILLER HONORED. A large and representative gathering of some 80 Invercargill railwaymen met in the Federal rooms last evening (says the Southland Times for February 27) to bid farewell to Mr. M. Miller, who for the past five years has held the office of stationmaster at Invercargill. The evening took the form of a smoke concert, Mr. S. C. Doyle, traffic clerk, presiding, and a very pleasant time was spent, the enthusiasm' of the many speakers testifying to the popularity of the retiring officer. The Chairman, in briefly opening the function, said he was sorry to think that their guest had "done in" his 40 years. He did not have the pleasure of a long acquaintance with Mr. Miller, but he had always found him a thorough gentleman and a most courteous and efficient officer. Mr. A. Gee, in proposing the toast of "The Management," referred to the excellent relations which had always existed between management and staff in Invercargill, a factor that had : contributed greatly to the success of local Departmental work. Mssers. R, P. Gillies and J. Barnett responded to the toast. Mr. W. Hartley proposed the toast of "Kindred Societies," and said that he hoped that in the future relations wouldVontinue to be as pleasant as in the past. Messrs. J. Sheehan and E. Fogarty replied to the toast in suitable terms.

PRESENTATION TO THE GUEST.

The Chairman, in presenting to Mr. Miller a. very handsome hall clock, suitably engraved, and a. full dinner set, which he asked the guest of honor to accept on behalf, of Mrs. Miller, said that Mr. Miller had been stationed in Invercargill for five years. He was an excellent officer and a thorough gentleman. He felt sure, that everyone present would join with him in wishing Mr. Miller a long and happy retirement. Mr. V . Hartley supplemented the remarks 'of the previous speaker by saying that it was doubtful if Invercargill would ever have ; a better man in the position Mr, Miller had held. He hoped that their guest would be long spared to enjoy the benefits of superannuation. • Messrs. J. Patterson, J. Sheehan, R. Burrell, E. Newman, R. Hayles, J. Shepherd, J • A. Hansen, W. Smith, F. Airey, j W Swale, P. Edmonds, T. J. Bell, C. Jenkins! I. Kelly, R. A. Rammage, L. Whelan, W. Gorin ski, E. Fogarty, and T. J. Donovan all ■endorsed the previous speakers’ remarks, and on behalf of the various departments, v ! Mr. Miller, in a happy and typical speech, thanked the large gathering for their kind good wishes; He felt lie could not do better than review his career with the Department. I v as feeling a little blue when. I cam© here •this evening,” he said, “but your farewell has been so kindly that I have completely recovered.” Mr. Miller continued that he first entered the service at Port Chalmers where: he was stationed for five' years, and in 1893 he was promoted to a chief clerkship at Westport. He then spent, some years at •■/'VV',- v 1 . oLuuc years at.

Totara Flat and Cross Creek, and later was" [transferred to Carterton and Featherston. After four years at Featherston he was ■transferred to Dunedin as relieving officer, and he - spent some, years on relieving work t in the district. From Dunedin he was rfflJSsferred to Invercargill, where the "star turn" was the visit of the Prince of Wales. During his stay in Invercargill'he had enjoyed a particularly pleasant term of office, and he was indebted to the many officers who

had" assisted him in the * execution"" of his duties. ,;. .Birring the evening : an - excellent -musical programme was given, items being contributed by the guest of honor, Mr. M. Miller (recitation), and Messrs. S. C. Doyle (song), S. Richards (song), J, Shepherd (recitation), E. Newman (song), W. /Smith (song),: C. Jenkins (song), M. Stevens (song), Mr. E. Perry made an.efficient accompanist.