POPULAR RAILWAY OFFICER

Southland Times, Issue 24232, 16 September 1940, Page 2

POPULAR RAILWAY OFFICER

BLUFF STATIONMASTER RETIRES

There was a large gathering of railwaymen in the Athenaeum Hall at Bluff on Saturday at a social evening held to bid farwell to the stationmaster at Bluff, Mr L. E. B. Edwards, who has retired on superannuation after completing 40 years’ service. Mr A. P. F. Petrie, acting stationmaster, presided and associated with him were- Mr J. S. H. Orr, national president of the Railway Officers’ Institute, Mr A. Bailey, inspector of the permanent way, Mr W. Blackie, locomotive foreman, Mr H. J. L. Chapman, chairman of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and Mr W. G. Fisher, chief clerk at Bluff.

The toast of the guest was proposed by Mr Orr, who gave an interesting account of the career of Mr Edwards, who, he said, had served the department faithfully and well. He had also performed valuable service to the public. He had endeared himself to the staff under his control and with his removal to Christchurch he was leaving many friends, both inside and outside the railway service. Mr W. A. Croft, chief clerk in the district traffic manager’s office, who had served under Mr Edwards as a cadet at Timaru and was associated with him again at Timaru and other stations in the Canterbury district, gave an interesting acconut of some happenings in the early days and ended by wishing Mr and Mrs Edwards and their family every success in the future. Other speakers were Messrs Petrie, H. Harper, W. ■ Blackie, A. Bailey, J. Matheson, J. Perkins, E. E. Patterson, A. Espie and W. Tressler. A presentation of a chiming clock was made to Mr Edwards by Mr Fisher, on behalf of the staff.

Mr Edwards replied and expressed thanks for the presentation and the remarks of the speakers. In proposing a toast to the management, Mr M. W. Grantham referred to the marked change in the management’s attitude to the staff during the past few years. The sympathetic consideration now being given to the staff, he said, had much to do with the splendid co-operation now existing. This, in turn, was responsible for the efficiency evident throughout the service. Mr Croft replied.

Other toasts were honoured as follows: Railway members of the service (proposed by Mr H. Chapman and responded to by Mr A. Bailey); performers (Mr Petrie—Mr Roughan); the chairman (Mr H. J. Cooper). Mr A. Horniblow was the accompanist and musical items were given by the Belsham brothers, Messrs Harper and Laker.