HERE AND THERE

On Our Job, Issue 1, 1 September 1943, Page 2

HERE AND THERE

Have we warned you yet that the girls on our job are not referred to as. conductresses? To be quite up to date, it is considered the thing to call them by their correct title, “Inspector Hamlin’s Young Ladies.” What we want to know is this: Is it"true that when Ken Hamlin recently toured the lower part of the North Island in search of girls for the trams, was he met at stations on the line by the local bands playing the theme song of the “Student Prince”? w * * * Conductor W. A. Mitchell resigned on account of ill health on June 5, 1943. Bill joined the service on November 2, 1936, and entered camp with the 3rd Echelon. He was invalided home in August, 1941, and has been in indifferent health ever since. He came back to work for a short period and has been on sick leave since August, 1942. We trust that his health will steadily improve, and regret that it has been necessary for him to tender his resignation. * * * Motorman Fred Juno has not been enjoying the best of health lately, and he has been granted three months’ sick

leave. Nothing to do but tend his fowls should soon' restore Fred’s health, we trust. * * * Looking fit and well, the following tramwaymen of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. returned home on furlough recently: L. Dargan, T. W. Gill, C. W. Harrison, J. McKenna, M. J. Ryrie, F. G. White, J. H. Davies, C. W. Gosse, D. C. Hazlett, R. Milligan, W. Ritchie, W. G. Fishenden, A. M. Graham, P. F. Lloyd, R. J. Moore, R. J. Scott, and W. G. King. All were again glad to obtain a glimpse of the Windy City, despite the typical Wellington southerly which met them on ’arrival, this, they said, being preferable to the mosquitoes and sand of the Middle East. Eighty-two tramwaymen still remain overseas, located as follows: Middle East forces 37, Pacific 26, Navy 4, N.Z.R.A.F. 5, and prisoners of war 10. We look forward to the time when we shall have the pleasure of welcoming, those boys home also. Alex Graham has lost no time in putting away his battle-dress, and is to be seen at his old possie at the controls of a tram again. With so many returned men’s faces popping up on the front of trams, one would be pardoned for thinking the war had ended. The latest familiar countenance is that of Corporal Wally Loach. Wally, back from overseas for some time now, has been employed for a time in the Army Department. * * * Back from their first furlough spent in Auckland, Conductresses Betty Cook, Jean Guppy and Helen Finall report having a wonderful time. The first lady conductors frbm Wellington • to visit the Auckland Transport Social Club, they were accorded a right royal welcome. Genial Mick Farrelly, well known to most Wellington tramwaymen, took charge of the girls and looked after their welfare generally. * ❖ * Our boys overseas will learn with regret that Conductor Tom Hebbard has resigned from the service on account of ill health. Born at Christchurch on December 24, 1885, Tom joined the service on May 8, 1913. His resignation took effect on July 24. Well known on his broken shifts in Kilbirnie, Tom’s bright disposition made him a favourite with all his mates. He has gone to the West Coast to live, and he carries with him. the best wishes of all trammies. * * * It is with regret that we record the illness of Shift Boss Inspector S. Leon-

ard. Syd, as he is known to all of us, had a break-down on the job recently and will be confined to bed for some time. One and all wish him a speedy recovery.