The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 4 (August 1, 1928)
The Late Mr. H. C. Guinness
The Late Mr. H. C. Guinness
The passing of the late Mr. Guinness removes from our midst a railway officer of outstanding ability, and a gentleman who had endeared himself to a large circle of friends.
Mr. Guinness's devotion to duty was a marked trait in his character. He set a high standard of service as well as a fine example for the younger men of the service with whom he was associated.
We remember him years ago as a cadet at Featherston, keenly alert and capable, and his subsequent career, wherein he was tested in all kinds of capacities, went to prove him a man of exceptional merit. At Christchurch he had much opportunity for bringing into play his executive capacity, and he was one of the first officers of the Department to adapt his railway training to the new commercial spirit required in handling the affairs of the Department.
Mr. Guinness was a man of vision and enterprise, who can ill be spared from the ranks of the Department. He had already reached, at a comparatively early age, one of the most important executive positions in the Department. Referring to the institution and success of the Otira excursions, a contemporary writes:—
The success of these excursions was due in no small measure to the perseverance and energy put into the organising work by Mr. Guinness personally. In all his railway appointments, his work was characterised by farsightedness and energy. He was dersevedly popular with the business people with whom he came in contact, for he was imbued with the idea that the railways should provide whatever services the public really wanted and that they should cater for all.
The sympathy and regrets of the whole railway staff will go out to Mrs. Guinness and family in their bereavement.