CUSTODIAN OF TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 90, 10 January 1935, Page 11

CUSTODIAN OF TOWN HALL

Retirement of Mr. T. W.

Leslie

SERVED UNDER TEN MAYORS

One of the best-known figures in connection with the Wellington Town Hall is Mr. T. W. (“Dorrie”) Leslie, who will retire after over thirty years’ service as custodian on March 18, MrLeslie has served under ten mayors of Wellington. He joined the staff in November, 1904, and tine of his first official jobs was to stand by and open the main door tv hen the Town Hall was opened by the then mayor, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken. Ever since then he has filled the position of resident custodian with tact and a conscientous regard to the responsibilities of the position. In that respect he has earned the regard of numerous concert managers and visiting artists, and has also been of real assistance to those concerned in the promotion of entertainments in the Town Hall and Concert Chamber. Another side of Mr. Leslie’s life has been his long and steady devotion to amateur athletics in Wellington and elsewhere. An ex-champion walker of New Zealand and Australia, his zest for athletic sport has never waned. When advancing years prohibited his taking part in contests, he became proficient in the art of starting, in which capacity he has acted at hundreds of local meetings, and has had the privilege of starting all the star performers from England. America and Australia who have raced in 'Wellington. His capacity' as a starter has received world-wide recognition, in that when three years ago the Olympic sports were held in Los Angeles he was appointed one of the official starters, in which capacity he gave every satisfaction. Mr. Leslie has always been a tower of strength to budding athletes, and would often go out of his way to watch and direct their paces and teach them how to start. It is understood that applications for the post of custodian of the Town Hall from among members of the council’s permanent staff will be called a little later in the month.