RAILWAY PERSONALITY

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1940, Page 2

RAILWAY PERSONALITY

MR. Wm. P. MILLER DEAD TRANSPORT AUTHORITY A former district traffic manager of railways at Ohakune and later at Wanganui. Mr. William Patrick Miller, died in a Wellington \private hospital on September 6. He retired from the Railways Department nearly three years ago after completing 40 years' service, and had been living at Wellington since last Easter. Mr. Miller made a thorough study of transport problems and had an exterisive knowledge of railway work. He was regarded in the service as a very efficient officer and before retiring held a number of important positions. At one time he was assistant-secretary to the Government Railways Board. In 1897 Mr. Miller joined the service at Dunedin as a cadet and after being stationed there for five years was transferred to head office, Wellington, where he remained for 17 years. In 1920 he was placed in charge «f the Hastings goods office and two years later was appointed stationmaster at Stratford, where he served for a further two years. He was promoted to stationmaster, Newmarket, Auckland, in 1924, and remained there 12 months before being transferred to the district traffic manager's office, Auckland. In March, 1926, he became stationmaster in charge of the Gisborne district and after two years on the East Coast was ' promoted to the position of assistant-secretary to the Government Railways Board at head office. In Charge of Road Service. When the board was disbanded Mr. Miller was transferred to the head office relieving staff and for a short period was stationed on the West Coast of the South Island. He was also in charge of the railway road motor services, Wellington, for about 12 months. In 1932 he was promoted to the position of district traffic manager, Ohakune, where he was in charge of the Middle District, or Main Trunk area, and on the reorganisation of the North Island railway districts in 1935 was appointed district traffic manager, Wanganui. He remained in charge at Wanganui till he retired on October 2, 1937. While there he represented the department on the executive pf the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce and his retirement was the occasion for many tributes to his efficiency being paid by the chamber. After his retirement Mr. Miller moved with his family to Auckland, and for about two years lived at Remuera. He is survived by his wife and a daughter, Miss D. Miller, 8 Levy Street, Wellington. Mr. A. M. Miller, New Plymouth, is a brother.