RAILWAYS MANAGERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 5

RAILWAYS MANAGERS.

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER. MESSRS; T, RONAYNE AND E. H. HILEY ENTERTAINED. The executive of the Railway Officers' Institute tendered a complimentary dinner to Messrs. E. H. Hiloy and T. Ronayno (incoming and retiring General Managers of Railways respectively) on Monday evening. The Hon. W. H. Herries (Minister of Railways), and Messrs. H. Buxton (Chief Traffic Manager), J. Burnett (Chief Engineer), and R. W. M'Villey (Chief Clerk) were present by invitation of the officers' executive. At the conclusion of the dinner a short toast list was gone through, comprised, besides the usual loyal toast, of the ■healths of Mr. Hiloy (proposed by Mr. J. Young, president of tho Officers' Institute), and Mr. Ronayno (proposed by Mr. A. W. Hutchings, vice-presi-dent); "Parliament," proposed by Mr. J. Kane, vice-president, and responded to by tho Hon. Mr. Herries; and "The Executive Officers of the Department," proposed by Mr. E. Casey, and replied to bv Messrs. Buxton, Burnett, and ■M'Villy. . Loyalty to the Now Manager. In proposing the toast of Mr., Hiley, Mr. Young said that the dinner had been arranged for the purpose of officially welcoming Mr. Hiloy and bidding farewell to Mr. Ronayno. Mr. Hiley could rest assured that the officers of the service would one and all give him their loyal support and assistance in tho execution of the duties he was to take up on November 1. They had no feoling in regard to the appointment of a General Manager from outside tho service, for they recognised that the appointing of tho chief of such a great State service was a matter , of Government policy, and they did not think they should traverse the policy of the Government in regard to the conduct of the Department in which they were employed. Many of the officers, especially tho older ones," were sons of the pioneers of the Dominion, and they wero proud of the State institutions that had been built up in this country. More particularly were they proud of the railway service, which was the largest, and in many ways the most important, of the State's Departments. This fact, added'' the speaker, was. in itself proof that the officers would do their best to further the interests of a service they all took a prido in. He could assure Mr.. Hiley that the officers wanted to see the railway service reach a piano worthy of the best traditions of a British State Department, and that they would give their loyal co-operation and support to him to secure this end. Mr. Hiley In Reply. During the course of his reply Mr. Hiley thanked tho institute for the welcome given him, and spoke of the form. it. had taken as being a happy, idea. In acknowledging the expressions of loyalty which tneir president !had tendered to him on behalf of tho members of' the institute Mr.- Hiley mentioned that _ he had been greatly pleased to receive similar expressions of goodwill from the other divisions of the staff. _ . , Allowing for the disabilitiea under Jwhich the railways of New Zealand were placed as a result of the narrow gaugfy and the configuration of the country, he was of opinion that they would compare favourably with those of any other country iii the world. The rolling stock and the track. especially were in good condition, antl he was under a debt of gratitude to Mr. Ronayno and '.his administrative officers for the .excellent state in which the service would be when he took, charge., The staff could depend upon matters represented to 'him (receiving - icareful consideration, and though, of course, he could not say that their requests would necessarily be granted, he trusted they .would never hesitate to place legitimate grievances before him. He desired to thank Ronayne and tho administrative officers of the Department for .the. read.v assistance that had been given him since.his arrival in New Zealand. Also he wished to thank the Honourable Mr. Herries for the many kindnes3e9 he had received at that gentleman's hands during the month that had elapsed since lie landed at Auckland. Tribute to Mr. Ronayne. In proposing Mr. Eonayne's health Mr. Hutchings sketched his career in the service, and spoke of the regret of the officers at the necessity for his- relinquishing office owing to his advancing years. The speaker made particular mention of Mr. Ronayne's recognition of the advantage accruing to the members of the staft-as a result of the provision of halls for their use as meeting places, and for social purposes. Mr. Ronayne, he said, had dono a groat deal for the staff in this . direction, and could not be too heartily thanked for his action. He trusted Mr. Ronayne would bo spared to enjoy his well-earn-ed rest for many years to come. . Early Managerial Troubles. In a happy sneech in reply to the toast of his health, Mr. Ronayno told several anecdotes illustrating the troubles that general and traffic managers had to contend with in.- former years. To emphasise the increase in the volume of business in tho Department during the last 18 or 20 years he gave some fijjures, comparing the years 1895 and 1913. In 1895 the passengers carried numbered 3,905,578; in 1913, 15,400,000. The total tonnage of goods in 1895 was 2,123,343; in 1913, it was 6,957,000. The total revenue-18 years ago was £1,150,852; for tho year ended .March 31, 1913, it was £3,971„002. With reference to salaries, he nijght point out that,whereas in 1895 a cadet started at £30 per annum, ho now received £50. The highest salary paid to men in tho clerical division now . was £425 per annum, and this would rise to £475. In 1895 the mo3t an officer in the clerical division received was £300. • Speech by the Minister. . In responding to the toast of Parliament, tho Hon. Mr. Herries said he would first like to say a few words in connection with Mr. Ronayne's retirement. He was extremely sorry to loso Mr. Ronayne's services as head of the Railway Servioe. Mr. Ronayne had done good work for tho Department and for the Dominion, and deserved tho heartiest thanks of everyone. The policy of the Government had been to first get a contented staff, and Mr. Roiiayno had helped them greatly to achieve this end—for lie thought he might say that the service as a whole was now contented. As' the members of the institute who were present were aware, on improved schedule of salaries was to be placed before Parliament very shortly,, and amended regulations making for greatlv-impr'oved service con-, ditions would also soon be gazetted. Continuing, Mr. Herries said no hoped that Mr, Hiley, who was to tako Mr. Itonayno's place, would have a successful term of office. He was confident that Mr. Hiley would "make good 'in the fullest sense of tho phrase, and that the staff would find him a sympathetic chief. . . In conclusion, he thanked the institute for the opportunity afforded him to be present at that happy gathering, and for the way in which tho toast of Parliament had been received. In asking those presont to drink to tho toast of "The Executive Officers of the Department," Mr. Casey said they occupied an important placo in tho economy of tho service. The Minister-of Railways was tho connecting link between tho general manager and Parliament, and tho general manager the connecting link between tho service and tho Minister.

Connecting the service and the general manager they liad the executive officers of\ the Department,, who kept in close personal touch' with all branches of the service, and thus materially assisted to maintain that continuity in the working of the service so necessary, if the best results were to bo obtained. Messrs. Buxton, Burnett, and M'Villy briefly acknowledged the toast. During the course of the proceedings songs were rendered by Messrs.' F. Finlayson and 3. S. Allwright, and Mr. Casey gave a recitation.