Walter Gordon Baird
Walter Gordon Baird (1885-1950)
1952 Obituary [1]
"WALTER GORDON BAIRD, who was born in 1885, received his theoretical training in engineering at the Wellington Technical School in New Zealand. On the termination of a five-year apprenticeship with D. Robertson and Company, Ltd., Wellington, engineers and boiler makers, in 1906, he went to sea for six years as marine engineer in ships of the Shaw Savill and Albion Company, Ltd. During this period he rose from fifth to second engineer and obtained a first-class Board of Trade Certificate. He then joined the staff of Thomas Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., Cold Stores, New Zealand, with which firm he remained until the end of his career. He was first employed as assistant draughtsman and as such was concerned with the building of the Canterbury Freezing Works, of which he became manager and engineer in 1920. He was works manager and engineer at the Waingawa Masterton Works for five years before taking up, in 1935, his final appointment as superintending engineer. In this capacity he was responsible for the supervision of plant and machinery for six freezing works, and the provision of all services. Mr. Baird was elected a Member of the Institution in 1947. His death occurred at Christchurch, New Zealand, on 18th October 1950."