HOME       
                                      INLAWS and OUTLAWS
                               BOUCAUT

from part of Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954 Tuesday 23 March 1937

Completes 48 Years' Service;

RECORD OF MR. J. H. BOUCAUT.

In September. next, Mr. James Hillary Boucaut, station master at Victor Harbour, will have reached the retiring age and will begin in May, long service leave preparatory to severing his long connection with the South Australian Railways, after 48 years of continuous service.
Mr. Boucaut was born at Narracoorte and his family were well known in the South-Eastern districts. From the humble position of railway clerk at Narracoorte, he rose to the position of stationmaster in seven years—evidencie of the excellent training he received at hands of his South Eastern mentors;
................
During his 48 years of service, Mr Boucaut has served under Commissioners Smith, Hill, and Neale; A. G. Pendleton; A. B. Moncrietf, James McGuire; W. A. Webb, and the present holder,
Cl B.Anderson.
Under the regime of these men, all passed on, except Mr. Anderson, Mr. Boucaut has seen many changes in systems, rolling stock, gauges. and methods of transport while hundreds of miles have been added to the Government's control. The Islington workshops have grown out of all knowledge and he saw the radical changes, effected under the American importation, W. A. Webb, who had large ideals.

Train control, and the introduction of the large 40-ton gondola trucks for freight were the most revolution ary of any inauguration, - he opines. The train control system was marvellous and was most efficient.

During his lengthy term of service Mr. Boucaut has always enjoyed the Best of health, "almost perfect," he says. This he attributes to the fact that in his younger days he indulged in general exercise. Swimming and shooting were his pet hobbies. So excellent has his health been that he is able to claim eignt months' long service leave. In all his service not at any time were his monthly re turns late—a record, he claims!
He also claims a "clean" record. This means, ne explained, that no accidents or serious mishaps have come his way. He had, however, a thrill when he relieved a man named Mr. Thomas, at Tantanoola at the height of the famous "tiger" scare.

S.E. EXPERIENCE.

Mr. J. B. Whittington was the superintendent of the South-Eastern sys tem and under him Mr.Boucaut commenced, in September' 1889 as clerk at the large salary of £26 a year. From Narracoorte he was transferred after 15 months to Mount Gambier as goods clerk at a rise, to 2/1 per day. His father paid his board (£1 •per week), and he was advised and admonished that there was no sur plus for his indulging in drinking or gambling. Three years later he was classed as relieving officer - and was stationed at his home town of Narracoorte.

From this point; he relieved all stations under this system.

On September 1896he was promoted to stationmaster at Exeter and went to Port Elliott in 1907. He came to Victor Harbour in July 1928 and has remained ever since.

In 1900 ne married Miss Alma Plate of Mount Gambier, and, there, are three children: Ray, Elba, and Jean...................