RAILWAY PIONEERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 762, 7 September 1929, Page 6

RAILWAY PIONEERS

MR. AND MRS. A. LUCAS GOLDEN WEDDING TODAY ! Few people have been so closely i associated with railway construction [ work ill New Zealand as Mr. and Mrs. | Alfred Lucas, of N'ewton Road, who ! today are celebrating their golden | wedding. i Mr. Lucas has given 45 years in the i Public Works Department and his wife's association with pioneer railway building is not many years shorter. They have assisted in the thrusting of the track through the Kimutakas and the Manawatu. and have helped in the tremendous task of cutting a road through the forest and bridging the streams and rivers, through the accomplishment of which the Main Trunk was made possible. Then, too, they have contributed to the laying of the steel way through the North Auckland Peninsula. To-

gether they* have endured hardship and the rigorous life that is all in the day’s work of those whose task it is to blaze new trails. Mr. Lucas, who was born in Wellington, is now in his SOth year. His wife was also born near Wellington and is now 74. At an early age Mr. Lucas went with his parents to Featherston and in 1572 joined a survey party under the well-known engineer, Mr. John Rochford. For some years Mr. Lucas was engaged in arduous exploration work in the Rimutakas aud other parts, mapping out a route for the advancing railway. His next exploration was in wild country for the selection of a road for the Manawatu line. He was married in 1879 in Wellington to Mary Elizabeth Pike, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Edward Pike, of Upper Hutt. Mr. Lucas became overseer in the department and at times had 500 men under his surveillance. His wife accompanied him wherever practicable and both earned the respect arid affection of workers wherever they were stationed. Mrs. Lucas particularly was held iu the highest regard by the Maoris because of her ready sympathy with their point of view. In an unostentatious way she used to gather the children of the department’s employees and have them chistened by the Church and iu many respects acted as a beloved godmother to them. After 45 years Mr. Lucas was retired on superannuation in accordance with the policy of the Government. He was then iu the North and in 1917 established the home of his retirement in Auckland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lucas enjoy very good health. Mr. Lucas takes a great interest in gardening. which occupies most of his day. They have two daughters and a son. They are Mrs. A. Murray and Mrs. G. Delahunty. and Mr. A. G. M. Lucas, all of Gisborne.