APPOINTMENT
Gisborne Refrigerating Company Ltd appointed a new Company Secretary, Mr John Walker, early last month. He was previously in forestry administration with Fletcher Challenge Ltd.
SECONDMENTS
Welcome to Andrew McNab and Jim Bennett, in New Zealand from the United Kingdom for four and six months respectively. Both are here to familiarise themselves with New Zealand’s operations: Andrew McNab at Westfield, Tomoana and Wellington; Jim Bennett at the Auckland Meat Company, Kaiti, and Wellington.
Welcome also to Stuart Clark, also from the United Kingdom, in New Zealand for the next two to three years.
Prior to joining Weddel in Bradford just recently, Stuart spent about eight years in the British wool industry, and on his return to the U. K. will have an extensive background knowledge of New Zealand’s operations.
At right: Trevor Tricklebank (right) presents Bill’s 25-year Gold Star.
Westfield GM. retires
General Manager of the Westfield Freezing Company for the past nine years, Mr Gordon Taylor, has retired, ending an association of nearly 34 years and service in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
He is currently on holiday in the U.K. visiting family, but will no doubt be glad to return to Auckland and his garden. An avid gardener, Mr Taylor is known for his success with tomatoes.
He began his career in accounting, while serving from 1949 to 1951 as a corporal in the Royal Air Force. On demobilisation he joined Union International and worked in the accounting and audit sections. He was then based in Nottingham as the accountant for Roberts Windsor Ltd, from 1954.
In early 1967, Mr Taylor immigrated to New Zealand to work as assistant accountant to Mr Scott at W & R Fletcher’s Head Office in Wellington. Two years later, he spent 18 months at Tomoana, first as Assistant General Manager and then as Manager.
It was in 1975 that he transferred to Westfield as General Manager, a position he held until his retirement in May.
General Manager of Westfield for nine years, Mr Gordon Taylor.
Gold Star awarded
About 150 people gathered at the Hastings Racecourse recently, to celebrate Station Officer, Bill Tieman’s 25 years’ service with the Tomoana Works’ Industrial Fire Brigade.
His gold star was presented by the Senior Vice-President of the United Fire Brigades Association, Chief Fire Officer, Trevor Tricklebank.
On being made an Honorary Life Member of the Tomoana Brigade, Bill received a medal from Chief Fire Officer, Syd Taylor, while Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Reg Unwin, presented a pair of silver goblets as a gift from its members.
As well, a past Chief Fire Officer, Lew [Lou] Jillings, representing the Wellington Gold Star Association, gave him the lapel badge and to Mrs Tieman, the gold star broach of the Association.
Finally, Tomoana’s General Manager, Mr Michael Sanders, made a presentation in recognition of Bill’s service to the company.
Mr Sanders also made several long service presentations to other members of the brigade: Neil Wood, a 31-year gold bar; Bill Johnston, an 11-year silver bar; Ken Hutchison, a nine-year silver bar; Garry Minton, a nine-year silver bar; Bryce Minton, and Neil McBride, seven-year silver bars; Robin Shortt, a three-year certificate.
Mystery worker retires after 50 years
“Who?” was the query by Westfield staff when the presentation of a gold watch for 50 years’ service was made to freezing worker, Ronald Allen Martin.
The confusion arose because his workmates have always known him as “Major”.
It was cleared up when W&R Fletcher’s Assistant General Manager, Mr Brian Browne, who made the presentation at Major’s farewell, explained that it was a name Mr Martin acquired after he was sent to Waikeria Borstal, during the war years, like many of the mutton butchers, for a sit-in strike at the works.
When the men were released without conviction, Major was placed in the Army. But it was nine months before the Army realised that R.A. Martin, who was appealed for by the works, and Major Martin, were the same person.
He missed being shipped overseas by three days and after much sweating, was a very happy man to return to the mutton chain.
He remembers too, that in the old days of seasonal work, he spent most of his time with the yard gang helping to dig and lay the foundations for the present mutton floor dining room and constructing the railway line into the works.
Above: W&R Fletcher’s Assistant General Manager, Mr Brian Browne, presents Major with his gold watch. Below: Major is pictured (centre) with workmates (from left) – mutton butchers, Rua Katia and Sam Repene; stockyards’ Eddie Walker; – mutton butchers, Charlie Bowman, Ernie Broderick and Micky Amanaki; Beef Foreman, Jack Mills.
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