RAILWAYMAN RETIRES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1774, 12 June 1913, Page 6

RAILWAYMAN RETIRES.

ME. A. L. BEATTIE HONOURED. There was a large gathering of railwaymen at the General Offices of the New Zealand Railways yesterday afternoon, When a presentation was made to Mr. A. L. Beattie, Chief Mechanical Engineer, who is retiring on superannuation. The Minister for Railways (Hon. W. H. Hervies) presided, and was supported by the. General Manager (Mr. T. Ilonayne). Mr. Herries said he-was extremely glad tti'seo such a large concourse doing honour to their old friend. Mr. Beattie had been a long time iu the service of the Railway Department. He entered as a draughtsman in 1577, and was rapidly promoted, and held many important offices till he rose to the position which ho occupied at the time of his retirement. Mr. Beattie had seen many changes whilo serving the Department. The railways had advanced from small stages to being one of tho most important systems, in the Empire. Now he was leaving with the esteem; not only of the present Government, but of all past Governments, aiid all those with whom ho had worked. It was gratifying, continued Mr. HeTries, to find that so many comrades had gathered to givo' such a grand send-oft'. Mr. Beattie left the Service honoured by the Government, by his friends, and by those who had worked under him. (Applause.) • The presentation took the form of a gold ivatch, suitably inscribed, for Mr. Beattie, and for \Jlrs. Beattie a gold wristlet-watch, pair of field-glasses. In handing these- over, Mr. Herries, on behalf of tho railwaymen, wished Mr. and -Mrs. Beattie a long and happy life. Tho donors regretted that ho was severed from his old: friends in tho Kailway Department. Mr. T. Ronayne said ho had for many years been intimately associated with Mr. Beattie, and all the time Mr. Beattie had been energetic and enthusiastic in the discharge of his duties. During his tenure many improvements had taken place, one being the introduction of the AVestinghouso brake. Mr. Beattio had had the maintenance of these, and had kept them in an excellent way. Mr. Beattio had also had a lot to do in standardising the rolling-stock, Referring to Mr. Beattie's successor, Mr. H. H. Jackson. Jlr. Ronayne said that he was "New Zealand made." He had risen from the ranks, and would preserve the good Tecord which Mr. Beattie had established. (Applause.) • On rising to respond, Mr. Beattio was loudly applauded. Ho wanted to repress, he said, his appreciation and gratification for the many kind words spoken by tho Minister and the General Manager. He also thanked his lellow-work-men'for their gifts. However much lie valued the gifts, he appreciated more the goodwill which they evidenced. ■Mr. Beattie referred to tho feelings •which existed between liimself and the General Manager, and spoke of tlie good feeling in the railways towards tho Minister. The railways came in for a good deal of criticism at times, but it was mostly 'from people who did not understand' the inner workings of tho system. Mr Beattie went on to speak of the sys;cm when lie joined the Servcie thirty-six rears ago. ... , i With regard to his immediate colleagues, Mr. Beattio said he had had every assistance from tliem. It had been a labour of love, in every instance. His assistants Had ltocji most devoted in lurthering the work, and assisting him. He would ask tho same kindly help towards his successor. . . . , Three clieers wero given for Mr. and Mrs. Beattie, on the motion of Mr. Herries, and Jlr. Beattio also called for cheers for the Minister and the General *.*anascr.