PRESENTATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 174, 22 January 1912, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

. RECOGNITION OF 40 YEARS' I SERVICE. A large number of the railway staff and friends assembled in the social hall at the railway station on Saturday evening to celebrate the forty years' service of Mr. Isaac Morrison and his retirement on superannuation. Mr. Thos. Underwood, who was in the chair, said that when it became known Mr. Morrison was retiring. t"hey could not let the occasion pass without some suitable recognition, as he had led a strenuous life as engine-driver, and had earned the rest he was about to have. He was the oldest engine-driver in the Dominion, and although many changes had taken place during his time he had always responded to the call of duty, and was held in the highest esteem by his fellow men, among whom he was a staunch friend. He had worked on nearly every section between Auckland and Invercargill, and at times had had to work the whole night through. In proposing the toast of the guest, the chairman wished Mr. and Mrs. Morrison many happy and restful days. On behalf of the New Plymouth staff he had much pleasure in presenting him with a purse of sovereigns, so that he could purchase a suitable memento of his local associates. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Messrs. J. Maunder, A. Hodge, N. Thompson, J. Duffing, Silbery, J. Darney, Smith, Garner, Weale, Donohue and others supported the remarks of the chairman, and gave instances of kindness and consideration extended to his fellow workers, arid said many men were indebted to Mr. Morrison for what they knew, and when they had made mistakes or had not known what to do next, the guest of the evening had always been referred to for the purpose of putting them right, and it was done in such a way as to command the admiration of all. They expressed the hope that they would be in as good health when they went out on superannuation as their old comrade. They hoped to read some of his experiences in a book on railway life, which they understood he was to write. Mr. Morrison, who was received was applause, said that he could not express his feelings. He w ( as retiring from the service, but did not expect any such present as they had given him. He .thanked them kindly for it, and for the nice things which were said of him, which he thought were exaggerated. It had always given him pleasure to do his duty and assist those who were working with him. When he first entered the servioe in Invercargill they had the old broad gauge, which, after a few years, was altered to the narrow gauge. What he appreciated more than the present was to leave the service in'good fellowship with everyone. His principle in life had been that if he could not do a man a good turn he would not do him a bad one. Mr. Morrison came to New Zealand in 1861 from Scotland, and at an early age was working amongst threshing, sawmill and flaxmill engines, and before he wafe. fourteen years of age was in charge of a threshing engine in Milton. While

working at a stationery engine in Invel cargill in 1872 he received the appointment in the Eailway Department under Mr. Congress, who afterwards became a commissioner of, railways, and he has worked under every head of the Department since. He has never had a breakdown or collision. He considers the present railway management the best that he has worked under. He has been in New Plymouth for 24 years, and intended to spend his leisure days here.. While at the Bluff recently he went to see an old friend of his (Mr. W. Henderson, a man of 90), who is the ouly guard living who j was on the broad gauge when he joined' the service. Mr. Morrison retires on a pension of £l4O 17s per annum. Mr. Smith, ou behalf of the New Plymouth branch of the Associated Society of Railway Servants, had pleasure in pre-' senting Mr. Morrison with a passed diploma, as a token of comradeship. Mr. Morrison was the proposer for tue formation of the branch in lnvercargill, through which many men had benefited up to the present day. In those days to be a unionist a man had to be a man, as men often risked dismissal.

Mr. Morrison accepted the present with feelings of kindness, and wished the rail-' way stall' and the Department every prosperity. Another pleasing duty which fell to the lot of the chairman was to present, Mr. K. McNeill with a gold albert on his departure from New Plymouth to Palrnerston. They regretted his leaving here, but he carried the good wishes of all tiie railway staff, who recognised that he was an energetic workman, and had the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Mr. Morrison paid a compliment to the young men, saying that he was always prepared to do his best, and should turn out a good man. A number of his comrades also made a few remarks, and wished him success. -Mr. McNeill heartily thanked them for, the present, which he would value as a lunuecting link with the good fellows he had worked with in New Plymouth. The following toasts were proposed: "The King," by the chairman; "Railway Service," Mr Armstrong, responded to by Messrs. Weale and Thompson; "The Visitors," by Mr. Thompson, responded to , by Messrs. Armitage, McEwen and Har- ! ris; "Outside Labor Organisations." by ! Mr. Smith, responded to by Mr. Roper; j "Singers and Musicians," by Mr. Thompson, responded to by Messrs. Moon, Wells, Brooks and Weller; "The Press," by Mr. Robertson, responded to by representatives of the two local papers. t A vote of thanks to the press lor attending was passed. During the evening a musical programme was gone through, and well received. Songs were sung by Messrs. Stone, Mclsaac, Sommerville (encored), McEwen; cornet solo, Mr. Donovan; Mr. Brooks, solo on a one-stringed instrument (encored); and orchestral selections by Messrs. \V. Thompson and T. Tuhoy (violins), Donovan (cornet), and Weller (piano). The singing of "Auld Lang Sync" terminated a very pleasant evening.