RAILWAY MATTERS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2711, 22 March 1924, Page 2

RAILWAY MATTERS

CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Our Palmerston North morning contemporary says: "Eoxtonites will be pleased to note that Air Rodie, Chief Clerk of Wanganui, has been promoted to District Traffic Manager, at Dunedin. Mr Rodie was stationmaster at Eoxton some fourteen years ago. At that time there was a great ileal of shipping to the port and although Air Rodie only had one clerk, and in consequence was a very busy man, he was always a very- courteous official

and always had time to investigate any inquiries the then numerous clients of the railway made of him. It is rather peculiar that during' Mr Rodie’s period as stationmaster here the shipping trade to the port increased year by year, but immediately began to decline after his departure.”

The above eulogiuui will be read with some smile by our ex-station-master, Air .1. A. Rodie, who recently retired from the railway service on superannuation prior to which be was stationmaster at Hawera. Our contemporary no doubt, refers to Mr D. Rodie, a brother of Mr J. A. Rodie.

in reference to the staffing in AH' Bodies time, our contemporary is also at sea. Air Rodie had in his time, three clerks and in 1921 there were four clerk.-, against two at lhe present time, although the tonnage handled per month has increased four-fold since 1921. In Air Bodies time the shipping was principally coal excepting comparatively small general cargoes from Wellington. The tonnage per month during the past twelve months averages 900 tons which is a considerabe increase over the several preceding years. The average general cargo for 1921 was 300 tons per month.

PRESENTATION TO EX-EOXTON STATIONAIASTER. Prior to Air J. A. Roche's retirement from the railway service after 40 years service, he was the guest of the Hawera Social Club and the Hawera Carriers Association. Mr E. P. Beauchamp presided over a large gathering of railwaymen, representing all branches of the service, members of the Carriers’ Association, and friends. While a feeling of regret over the loss to the Department of such a capable and popular officer was manifest, the guest of the evening received sincere wishes for his future welfare from all present, and was freely congratulated upon his splendid record of service and the meiited rest with which it had been rewarded. .... Ain - Beauchamp, in formally announcing the purpose of the assembly, expressed regret that they were bidding good-bye to their esteemed chief. During his forty years of service, AH- Rodie had had control of large numbers of railway servants, amongst whom it was freely •admitted that no better chief could be wished for. He had at all times ■ shown the greatest patience and fairness in his dealings with those under him, and his advice, when asked, iiad always been at the seekcr’a di-pusal. In conclusion; the speaker had great pleasure on beiiaii of ilie railway stall in. presenting an oak Morris chair to Air Room as a token of esteem and a menu 111 (j i of ias association with the i ail way sen ants at Hawera. Mr Beauchamp also requested AH'Rodie I.* accept on Mi's Rodie’s behalf the presentation of an oak tea tray 1 rum Die same donors. Mr ,1. Bartlett, speaking on behalf of ihe Carriers' Asociatiun, the horse trainers of Lhe district, and visiting commercial travellers, delivered a happily-nordeu speech ni which be expressed the appreciaiion on the part of the gentlemen iie represented, of the unfailing courtesy and consideration winch hud always been exLeuded to them by Alt Rodie. On their behalf the speaker presented to Mr and All's Rodie a handsome silver Lea and coffee sc\ ice a.s a small token of esteem.

Mr J. It. (Jurrigan, AI.P., also made lilting reference lo the ability and popularity of AH' itodie, who had at ail times combined the strictest attention to duty with the utmost courtesy to the public. He advised the younger officers of Ihe Department, to take Air itodie as an example. 1* urther expressions of goodwill towards I he guest of the evening and appreciatory references Lo his efiicicucy and at the same time kindness, as a clue! were made by a large number ol the railwaymen present.

Mr Jtouie, in reply, thanked his hearers for the handsome presents which had been made to himself and All's Itodie and expressed his appreciation of liie many kind remarks witick had been made concerning him. It was a pleasure to know tiiaL his work had met with appreciation but he could not accept all the credit for anything he had been able to do in Huwera iu his official capacity, as it would have been impossible without the loyal support which his stall and the public had aivvays given him. He extended to them his sincerest thanks for their assistance. He thanked those responsible for organising the evening's function for the honour they had tendered him. The evening would, together with them gracious gilts, serve us lilting reminder’s of the happy ten years he had spent in railway work in Hawera.