A NEW ZEALANDER ABROAD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 397, 20 September 1911, Page 6

A NEW ZEALANDER ABROAD.

AN ELECTRICIAN'S EXPERIENCES.

When young New Zealanders go out into the world to seek their fortunes they are generally able to hold their own, wherever they go or whatever their occupation. A case in point is that of Mr Walter C. Tisch, a nephew of the late Mayor of New Plymouth, who is now employed in the electrical department of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, at Peckham. Writing to another uncle, Mr J. Tisch, of Fitzroy, he relates his experiences since leaving New Zealand in November last, in quest of more knowledge and experience of his profession. He arrived in London on December 29th, 1910, and spent five weeks in viewing the sights of the great metropolis, and then made use of a letter of introduction given him by the late Mr T. E. Taylor M.P., to the latter's brother-in law, with whose assistance he presently received an appointment 33 a "permanent"' hand of the L. B. andS. <J. Railway, a position which many have to work many years to attain. He was sent to Birmingham and commenced his duties right away in electrical works there. These works employ 4000 hands, and are contractors for new electrical railway stock for the company. But let us use his own words:— "I was merely a student there, although getting high wages (for England). I had to commence work at 6 a.m., and if I was a minute late I would have to go home again till 9 a.m. The gates closed at 6 a.m. sharp. I found it rather inconvenient at first after such a long spell—in New Zealand, on the voy3ge, and five weeks in London. However, I went at it, and was never sorry when breakfast came at 5.30 (I did not let my landlady get up and give me a cup of tea before I left in the morning at 5.30), and often I rushed into the works, just before six, in the pitch dark and covered in snow. It was not for a good while that I became accustomed to the hours (6 to 5, with H hours for meals). On weekends I used to go to Manchester, Coventry, Liverpool, and scour the Midlands, and used to commence at 9 j a.m. on Mondays if I did not get j back by midnight on the Sunday j night. j

j "I was in Birmingham from Feb- ! ruary Bth to April 26th, and was j then transferred to the London depot. Once down in London I decided to go at it for a]l I was worth, and I { get on very well. I have made one j or two private suggestions to the chief !of the depot, and consequently get |on very well with the heads. Illusj trations of this are daily made promiI nent and pronounced. In oraer that ' I might see London more in daylight, j I applied to be put on night shift alter- : nate weeks, so can go on duty at 9 p.m. and come off at 7 a.m., and so get about six hours' broad daylight daily (when on night duty) after having my requisite amount of sleep. Week-ends I go sometimes 200 miies. i Last week-end I spent 170 miles j away, at Margate, and this week I j shall go to Hastings. We are hav- j ing the best weather that England has had for years. The English spring j and summer are indeed glorious. I I intend making the best use of my opportunities of seeing England in the j summer. i

"Shortly after I returned from Birmingham I received a letter from Sir for me. The writer said he had directed to invite me to become an honorary member of the Dominion Club at the Crystal Palace. I wrote consenting, and received a membership card, which admits me to the Crystal Palace and grounds at any time from May 12th to September 30th. The great Festival of Empire is being held there this year. A few

days later I received an invitation to be given by the club to the King and Queen, the Duke and puch.ess of Argyll, and the Duke of Con naught, which I attended. Since then J was invited to and attended a garden party given by Lord and Lady Northcote. These affairs have given ma the entree into high society. But if the people I meet could only see me on night duty! I have been to two banquets, given to visiting colonials (Canadians, Indians, Australians and New Zealanders). Both have been | very pleasant. ''ln consequence of a suggestion made to the company, the following has resulted. I managed to interview the manager of the largest elec- | trical firm in England. During the I conversation he handed me some plana, J which he said had been submitted to I j him by my company, and it surprised ' i him when I said it was my idea and i that the plans were from my dyawings. He asked me if J would like to become a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. I always intended trying for this degree (M.1.E.E.), but knew the trouble it was getting in, and intended waiting until just before I returned to New Zealand, as the fees are rather high. ! However, I expressed a desire to be- I come a member and my friend pro- | mised to get the four other signatures j necessary for my initiation. So at last one Tisch has added something | to the name, as I hope others of the J male rjsing generation will dq." j