Gage and Gauntlet

NZ Truth, Issue 1204, 27 December 1928, Page 4

Gage and Gauntlet

UP Auckland way there is at least one civil servant who is riot enveloped m a cordage of pale pink tape arid who .when the occasion demands can face an issue squarely like mythical John Blunt. On other occasions he can be as bland, and suave as a specialist '■who has just stung you for a fat conr sultation fee! And the name please? Ernest C. Gage. Occupation? Engineer to the post office. Address? Nominally Auckland city, but he barges m betimes at any old' place between the shores of Lake Taupo and 1 Cape Maria. >• • ' - ■ ' ' : ' • ' For eight years E.C.G. has maintained the. "lines of conimunication" m the Auckland territory; those vital nerve centres of tjie body social arid commercial. But jhe has done more than that.. He hag, kept abreast of modern research' and exploration m the science he professes. \": .- '- ■■'".. Those who kno>tf him best can't imagine anything getting hirii down. A . fman : of big radiant physique, buoyant attitude, and "let's get : to it" manner he shines' m; the realm of action- and actualities rather , than in' revolving office chairs. ' . - ', ■ Tears ago when : engineer m ' Cfintiejr -; ■: bury- he- struck ah, Old Man blizzard that, sent miles arid 'miles of his well-; set telegraph poles skittling like niner pins.. He couldn't get to the scene of j devastation, quick enough and once there/it was a case of "Coats off Avith Gagre"! And it' was m Canterbury that he loft behind him : a veputsition for successfully' stalking the' elusive deer. in the mountain fastnesses of the never-never. ' '■/:.