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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 1 (April 1, 1939)

Obituary Mr. J. W. Davidson, C.M.G. — Former Commissioner for Railways of Queensland

Obituary Mr. J. W. Davidson, C.M.G.
Former Commissioner for Railways of Queensland.

New Zealand railwaymen will learn with regret of the passing, on March 2nd, of Mr. J. W. Davidson, C.M.G., late Commissioner for Railways of Queensland. Mr. Davidson retired from that position in March of last year and soon after, with Mrs. Davidson, left on an extended tour of Britain. His enjoyment of the trip, however, was marred somewhat by the state of his health which became steadily worse after his return to Australia. A few weeks later he passed away at his home in Brisbane.

In Mr. Davidson's death, Australia has lost a valuable authority on railway transport. He was closely associated with the Queensland Railways for forty-eight years, and played a large part in bringing the organisation to its present state of efficiency. He was also an outstanding figure on the administrative side of the railways of the Commonwealth, having been senior commissioner at inter-State conferences for many years.

When Mr. Davidson joined the service there were only 2,205 miles in Queensland's railway system. More than 1000 miles were built during his period as Commissioner. In his record term as head of the department he encountered many industrial disputes, but handled them with tact and discretion, and the rank and file of the service had a kindly opinion of him.

He was reappointed for five years in 1928, and the Government renewed its confidence in his administration with two more extensions. In 1932 the order of C.M.G. was conferred upon him in recognition of his long and useful service.

Tributes to Mr. Davidson's career were paid by members of the Queensland Government and by prominent railway officers in Australia and New Zealand.

“Mr. Davidson was a man of high ideals and great ability,” said Mr. G. H. Mackley, C.M.G., General Manager of the New Zealand Railways. “In the devotion of his lifetime work to the Queensland railways he has left a monument of an enduring kind; his labours were for the public benefit, and the fruits of those labours are seen in the great development which is Queensland's.

“I join with the members of the New Zealand Railways Service in extending to Mrs. Davidson and family our deepest sympathy in their great loss.”

(L. Iohnson, photo.) The Auckland-Wellington Express passing through Otahuhu.

(L. Iohnson, photo.) The Auckland-Wellington Express passing through Otahuhu.