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A Farewell Function
Newmarket Shops Vacated
Change To Otahuhu

The completion of the new workshops at Otahuhu, and the transfer of the staff from Newmarket to the new buildings marked the close of the long and eventful history of New-market. The vacation of the old workshops was made the occasion of a commemorative function in which over 300 members of the staff participated.

The gathering was presided over by Mr. Jacob Elliott, Executive Councillor of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, with whom was associated Mr. E. Casey, Divisional Superintendent of the North Island—Mr. Casey representing the General Manager of Railways, Mr. H. H. Sterling, who was unavoidably absent.

In his opening speech, Mr. Elliott said that the men felt there should be some suitable function held to commemorate the vacation of the old shops wherein so many of those present had worked from boyhood to comparatively old age. Some had distinguished themselves in the service of the Department, and to-day were either managers or foremen, whilst many had retired on superannuation. ‘Some, too, unfortunately, had passed to the Great Beyond.

The members had made lasting friendships, and this meeting would give each an opportunity of wishing the other well for the future. Taking the officials at Newmarket individually and collectively it could be said confidently that they are to-day, as they have been in the past, as capable and energetic a set of mechanical administrators as was to be found in any part of the world.

The output from the workshops at Newmarket had proved conclusively that that was no idle boast. He felt sure, however, the officials, who were to follow with their speeches, would frankly admit that a large measure of the success achieved could be attributed to the splendid co-operation of an efficient and competent staff in the Second and First Divisions. As one of the leaders of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, Mr. Elliott sincerely hoped that the same amicable relationship which had existed between the officers of the Department and the men at Newmarket, would continue at Otahuhu. Given that essential co-operation, the future of the new workshops at Otahuhu was assured.

Mr. E. Casey, who was then introduced by Mr. Elliott, received a splendid reception on rising to speak. He said that he was sensible of the honour of addressing such a large gathering of the men at Newmarket. He thanked all present for their loyalty and great work for the Department during their long careers, and stressed the necessity for continued co-operation between the management and the staff. He hoped that the same spirit of service which had characterised Newmarket would not be lacking at Otahuhu.

Starting as a lad in the service, Mr. Casey said that he had seen a good deal of the practical side of railway work, and, as Mr. Elliott had stated, although he, the speaker, was not a shops’ man, he had always lent a sympathetic ear to reasonable representations when made to him. Mr. Casey concluded a fine address by apologising for the absence of Mr. Sterling, and, on behalf of the latter, he extended hearty good wishes for the future prosperity of the men and of the service when the new shops were in full swing at Otahuhu.

The speech was received with loud applause.

Mr. Worthington, production clerk, said that the work accomplished at Newmarket, had compared favourably with that of Petone, Addington or Hillside, and, from a point of view of costs, the Newmarket production was the most efficient in New Zealand. He apologised for the absence of Mr. Samson (Workshops Manager), who was called away urgently on Departmental business.

Three rousing cheers for the officials, the staff, and the General Manager, concluded the most notable and historic function ever held in the Newmarket workshops.

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