Raetihi engineer retires

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 12, 18 August 1987, Page 16

Raetihi engineer retires

The Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board lost a wealth of experience recently with the retirement of Raetihi resident area supervisor, Ross Journeaux. Mr Journeaux was 'born and bred' in Raetihi and educated at the District High School in Ohakune and New Plymouth Boy's High School. He was 17 when he began his apprenticeship with the Raetihi Borough Council as an electrician, following in the footsteps of his fa-

ther William Journeaux, who was the Borough electrical engineer for a number of years. After a 4-year apprenticeship, he served as a qualified electrician and was promoted to inspector in the early 1960's. Mr Journeaux took over the position of area supervisor from Jack Symes in 1974. He maintained responsibility for the entire Raetihi area, to Horopito, Ranana and Raukawa Falls. His position also involved responsibility for Raetihi's gang of four line men and the 'complaints department', which meant answering calis at all hours of the night. The Raetihi Borough" Council became affiliated with the Wanganui-Rangi-tikei Power Board in 1968, after close association with the company. One of his favourite pastimes was the care and maintenance of Raetihi's power station - a small hydro station located on Middle Road, just north of Raetihi township. The power station,. nick-named 'Ross' Museum', was built by the Borough and opened

by the Right Honourable William Massey in 1917 and was maintained by William Journeaux for many years. The power station supplied all of Raetihi and Horopito's saw mills, and two thirds of Ohakune when their own power station became overloaded. Ross Journeaux nurtured the ancient piece of machinery and kept it in working order, so it is still used as a back-up. Mr Journeaux retired officially on 31 July; the position of area supervisor was filled by Lou Most who has been associated with the Board for many years. Mr Journeaux is a keen carpenter and said he intends to be active in his retirement, catching up with odd jobs around his home in Raetihi. He maintains a keen interest in Raetihi's museum and is in charge of repair work. He admitted he was sorry to be leaving the job he occupied with the same company for over 40 years, which he said was never dull. "One thing I won't miss is the complaints," he said.