RAILWAY PRESENTATION.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 360, 15 February 1937, Page 4

RAILWAY PRESENTATION.

A. T. MAX HONOURED. Resignation After Thirty Years’ Service. After thirty years service in the Railway Department, Mr A. T. Max, locomotive driver at Stratford, has resigned to enter ihto business in the Auckland district. Before coming to Stratford he was at Whangamomona and has been stationed at most of the principal depots in the North Island. At a social function on Saturday night he was farewelled by members of the' local staff and the large attendance was a tribute to his general popularity. The Stationmaster, Mr R. J. Bowie, presided.

After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr J. Main proposed the toast of the "Railway Service,” and referred to the fine spirit of co-oper-ation among the employees. Mr F. J. Stephene, chief clerk, briefly replied. There Was no doubt, he said, that the co-operation in the service had made the Department the success it was.

Before making a presentation of a fountain pen and propelling pencil, Mr Bowie said that Mr Max had been about 30 years in the tervice but bad decided to sever his connection with the department and go into business on his own account.

“Thirty years is a long time, but I am quite satitfied that whatever you go into you will make a success of it," continued Mr Bowie. “Before you go the office staff, guards, and platform men thought it fitting to make some presentation and t trust hat you will accept this writing t'et in the spirit la which it is offered. I that you will accept this writing set new venture.”

Goodwill of All. “I can’t say that it affords me great pleasure to say farewell to Mr Max,” said Mr F. Anstis (locomotive driver). “I have known Mr Max for the last 30 years and during practically my whole railway career I harp been associated with him. It is with very mixed feelings that we say farewell to him. I hope that he will make a success of his business and I wish him the best of health and prosperity.”

Mr K. J. Robinson (shunter) saiu that Mr Max had the goodwill of all the traffic staff.

Mr Stephens said that he liau known Mr Max for a great number o' years and was closely associated with him at Whangamomona and other stations. He was a very likeable person and all would miss him' around the station.

Mr G. E. Cubitt (guard) also eulogised the personal qualities of Mr Max and wished him success in his new sphere. Pleasure to go to Work. In his reply Mr Max thanked the staff for the presentation and for their good withes. Their co-oper-ation had always been readily forthcoming and it had been a pleasure to vLrk among them. He had seen the Stratford station grow until now it was a very busy centre and the public had no idea of some of the difficulties encountered. It was fortunate that the staff had a good man over them in the person of Mr W. P. Miller, District Traffic Manager. He knew what the staff had to do and it was a pleasure to come to work. In conclusion, Mr Max said that in some ways he regretted leaving the railways, but had decided to venture on his own. Hit mates had never let him down and he would always think about his pleasant associations with the railway Workers.

The entertainment programme’ was contributed to by Messrs R. Scock (Christchurch), p. Paul. T. Smeaton, J. Main, H. E. McCalman, G. E. Cubitt and R. Shoulders. Community singing was led by Mr Paul. Accompaniments were played by Mr P. Brennan.