Honour Paid to Sheffield's Retired G.M.
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Dinmr and Presentation to Mr. Harris Watson, Who Has Retired After 46 Years' Service to the City AMOST agreeable function was the dinner given by nearly 50 of his friends to Mr. Harris Watson, who recently retired from the position of general manager of the Sheffield Corporation Transport Department.
The venue was. the Waldorf Hotel, London, on January 10, and Major Cyril Dennis was in the chair.
At the conclusion of the meal the chairman gave a general introduction to the speakers who followed him, the first being Mr. F. S. Eastwood, M.Inst.T., Transport Commissioner for the North Eastern Area. He referred to the way in which Sheffield's transport had been kept going despite the heavy efforts of the enemy. Some 31 trams and 22 buses were completely lost in one night and many others damaged. but the wholeof the transport was again in action in 14 days. There had been 140 " foreign " buses brought into the area, which must have caused many difficulties with inexperienced staff and many absent. Munition workers had arrived very quickly in the area, but they were never deficient of transport. He had benefited much from the advice given by Mr. Watson, who was on the Regional Transport Committee.
Alderman T. W. Bridgland, J.P., chairman, Sheffield Transport Committee, mentioned that Mr. Watson. who had served 46 years in the Transport Department, became general manager in 1936, following Mr. A. R. Feamley, whom he had so ably assisted. One of the difficulties had been absenteeism, although they had 80 personnel above minimum require ments Despite all the difficulties a reasonable service was kept going.
Alderman A. J. Bailey, J.P., ex-chairman, paid his tribute to the wide experience and able work of Mr. Watson.
He was followed by Mr. H. G. N. Read, of the L.M.S., who referred to the 15 years' association between Sheffield municipal and railway road transport. There were hardly any teething troubles, and the joint working had been highly successful. This was an example of good relationship between a big commercial undertaking and a municipal enterprise.
Mr. John Hey.; (who was awarded the C.B.E. in the New Year Honours), Town Clerk of Sheffield, said he considered his honour as being awarded to him as captain of an excellent team, and he accepted it in that spirit. He also paid great credit to Mr. Watson's able work.
Mr. David E. Bell, general manager, Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., referred to himself as being on the other side of the fence, but his company's joint selbvice with Sheffield and the railways had always been most amicable.
The Editor of "The Commercial Motor," Mr. G. Mackenzie Junner, said that Scots were not prone to flatter,. but aS one he could appreciate "sterling" value and long-continued endeavour. Mr. Watson had had the difficult task of following a man who was a great personality iii road transport, and that he had filled the position so ably was a bright reflection on his character and worth. Mr. Watson would, he was sure, never forget his old friends nor this function.
The eulogies were wound up by the
new general manager of Sheffield Transport Department, Mr. R. C. Moore, who paid tribute to the lifetime of service given by Mr. Watson to transport and the city. His term of office must have been a disappointment in a general sense, because of the threat of war and the restrictions entailed, b.it he had proved a great success in overcoming any difficulties, and during the last year of the war the city's transport had carried 20 per cent. more passengers than in 1939. It made him wonder what
• the progress would have been if Mr. Watson had had an opportunity of exercising his talents in peace-time. Major Dennis then called upon Mr. Eastwood to present to the guest of honour a silver cigarette case embossed with the coat of arms of Sheffield.
Mr. Harris Watson said he greatly appreciated so representative a gathering. The whole affair had exceeded hi, wildest imagination. He expressed appreciation of the great assistance which had been given to him by Mr. Eastwood. the R.T.C. He felt that 11..!
was leaving others to "clear up the mess," but advised all to have faith and hope and not to be stampeded.
The toast of the chairman and the committee was proposed by Mr. Eastwood and seconded by Mr. W. Vane 1Vtorland.
The guests included the transport managers of many important towns and cities from all over the country, representatives of important concerns in the industry, five Editors and other Press representatives.