Request Stops

On Our Job, Issue 4, 1 December 1943, Page 3

Request Stops

WE trust that no one will accuse us of giving away secrets of the Comforts Committee, but we do think it is time you chaps overseas were warned of something that goes on in case you return before the war is finished and get roped in. Occasionally a member of the committee finds it necessary to resign, thus leaving a vacancy and it is then that the events of which we wish to warn you take place. Members of the committee go into a huddle and such words as “He’s a good worker,” or more likely, “He’s a sucker for work,” and such like can be heard issuing from them. A meeting is then called, two small cakes are purchased after a brief but hard struggle with the treasurer, and all is ready for the victim. The secretary now goes into action and in a wheedling manner gets the victim to consent to come to the meeting “just to see what goes on.” On arrival, he is seated in the best chair, the aforementioned cakes are placed close at hand, accompanied by tea, and in such instances, even sugar, and he is told what a good fellow he is and all that. Watched hungrily by the members, who only get cake on their first visit, he nibbles daintily at the cakes, usually taking two bites for the one he would take if he was at home, and sits back thinking what a great little committee this is which provides cake. When a little later he is nominated as a member, he gladly accepts, probably under the mistaken impression that more cake will be forthcoming at the next meeting, and so another member is added to the committee. Such then is the underhand method of the Comforts Committee to obtain members, and our

sympathies go out to their latest victim, Tom Russell. Of- 1 course, it would hardly be the thing for us to add now that we do think that Tom will be a good man on the committee; he may view that with suspicion, having heard it already, but we do expect that he will do his share to rope in someone else in the same way' when there is another vacancy. Tom has ably assisted us on many occasions in the past, and we are pleased indeed to have him with us to help look after you chaps overseas. ❖ * * We were pleased to see Ben Clothier about again recently. He looks well and has put on a couple of stone. He expects to be back at work again after Christmas. * * * On the eve of his retirement, Depot Officer Sydney (Jackie) Potter was tendered an informal but impressive send-off in the messroom at Lambton by the Officers and men of the traffic department.

Mr. Welch, assistant general manager, in opening the proceedings, gave a brief outline of Jackie’s service. Born in London on March 18, 1876, Jack joined the tramway service- on October 8, 1907. He was promoted to motorman on January 10, 1912, and after serving overseas with the N.Z.E.F. from 1915 to 1917, became pointsman at Cuba Street for many years before his appointment to depot officer at Thorndon. In presenting Jackie with a cheque, subscribed by the officers and men, Mr. Dunn, traffic manager, stated that this was the first time that such a presentation had been made to a retiring officer by both officers and men and was a tribute to the high esteem in which Jackie was held by everyone with whom he had come in contact. Jackie, added Mr. Dunn, has certainly looked after Thorndon like a father, a statement which brought forth loud applause, especially from the Thorndon men present. Jackie Potter, in his reply, told us some humorous incidents of his early years in the service, one remark which caused much merriment being to the effect that the men in the service were “Good fellows in them days.” The proceedings finished with the wholehearted singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and cheers for Jackie and Mrs. Potter. We feel sure . that Mr. Potter has left us with the knowledge that everyone wishes him and Mrs. Potter all the best of luck and a long and happy retirement. ** ' * A very pleasant evening was given to Mr. F. W. Good, assistant electrical engineer, on the occasion of his retirement on October 15. The evening took

the form of a concert given by the Tramways and Electricity Social Club Orchestra, interspersed with a number of musical items. Following the concert, eulogistic speeches were given by the general manager, Mr. Hutton, the city electrical engineer, ' Mr. Maunder, and Messrs. McCune and O’Sullivan. The presentation, which was made by Mr.-Hutton, consisted of an easy-; chair and a standard lamp. Mr. Good, in his reply, told of the various stages in the life of the electricity department and also gave us some of the • humorous incidents which he had in his memory. The evening concluded with supper, followed by a very pleasant dance much appreciated by the younger members of the staff. * * * It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of a bonny, son to Mr. and Mrs. Joe King. Joe is very well known on the job, but even so much of his good work is not known to the extent that it should be, for as the treasurer of the comforts committee he is responsible for the raising of the necessary “hard stuff.” which purchases the “comforts” we send to you chaps overseas. We leave it to you to judge just how good a job he is making of his position. To Joe and Mrs. King we extend the very sincere congratulations of all their friends. * * * We have been hearing some comments concerning the officers of the comforts committee getting additions to their families, so we thought we would see what is doing. In our last issue, you will no doubt remember, we told you that Mr. and Mrs. Hansen had just had a son, and now we are informing you of a similar event in the home of Mr. and Mrs. King. Now, Percy is chairman of the committee and Joe" is treasurer, so hearing a lot of rumours, we decided to make some inquiries of Alf Burns, who is the secretary. We received some very caustic remarks from him, due, so he informed us, to the fact that he is now scared to go home as Mrs. Burns has threatened that there will be trouble in the Burns home if he thinks he is going to maintain the standard set up by the other officers of the committee. “Anyway,” added Alf, “I am too busy with OVERSEAS comforts to think of HOME comforts just at present.” * . :Is * Len Bernecker, one of our , cobbers somewhere in the Pacific War Zone, who is doing a job of work putting Tojo’s little yellow blighters on the run, has blossomed forth as a boxing trainer. He has unearthed a champion, a lad named Philip Gon, who is taking all before him. Gon, who 'never boxed before leaving New Zealand, has won nine

out of. his last ten fights. His opponents have been American servicemen who have good records back in the States and put up strong opposition. Len has done a grand job of handling this boy and he says his protege would beat any amateur in New Zealand at his weight, lOst. 101 b. Gon’s last fight drew a large crowd and he quickly K.C.ed his opponent in the first round amidst tremendous excitement. This boy Gon is very popular with our Allies and his latest effort brought the house down, incidentally earning many dollars for our New Zealand boys who backed him to the limit. The betting on these fights is very heavy. Keep the good work up, Len, and we hope to see you both back here soon in action in our Town Hall. You certainly have done a grand job of making a champion who definitely looks the goods.

The following tribute to the “Kiwi Concert Party” was written by Conductor Betty Butler:— It was the “Kiwis” who were playing, I closed my eyes while listening, Saw the palm trees gently swaying, And desert starlight glistening. To somewhere over yonder, My thoughts were quickly fleeting, Where lonely hearts grow fonder At another “Kiwi” greeting. They scramble from their dugout, They leave their trucks to slumber,. While in the desert blackout, Await the Opening Number. Comfort was not found in sand, Or warmth in a desert breeze, But with a pal on either hand, And a greatcoat round their knees. These men from home who are our pride, Will gather now, and after, To let the “Kiwis” turn the tide, From thoughts of war, to laughter. Be they French or Aussies, South Africans or Yanks, New Zealanders or Tommies, To the “Kiwis” they give thanks. So back to the stage once more At the final chord of the band, To find my feet on the floor, And my eyes not full of sand. Men of the “Kiwi Concert Party,” Whom I applaud so loudly, Please accept this greeting hearty, From one beholding you proudly.