Sir JOHN ARDRON C.B. RETIRES FROM THE POST OFFICE
SHEFFIELD
DAILY TELEGRAPH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1906, PAGE 10
RETIREMENT OF A PROMINENT
POST OFFICE OFFICIAL.
Sir John Ardron, C.B., sen.,
assistant secretary to the Post Office, retires to-day after nearly 43 years service at St. Martin’s-le-Grand, and the Department
will thus lose one of its chief officials, who has been especially connected
with the important branch of service dealing with telegraph work. Born at Queniborough, Leicestershire, in 1843, Mr. Ardron began his
career at the General Post Office in 1864. He has been identified with the
progress and marvellous organisation of the telegraph service of the country
ever since it was taken over from the Private Electric Telegraph Companies in
February, 1870. He now leaves when it may claim, with some justification, to be
the finest telegraph service in the world. As an illustration of the great work
dealt with, we may mention that, apart from the United States, it handles more
than twice the number of any two other countries together. The association of
Mr. Ardron, a tactful and unfailingly courteous official, with those who have
represented the Press of this country, has been of a mutually pleasant nature,
and he has personally met many of the most distinguished of them. Since 1870
there has necessarily been an enormous development of Press work, and
journalists will gladly recognise that it has been Mr. Ardron’s
object to accord the Press every facility consistent with the interests of the
service, as well as to investigate thoroughly, and meet every reasonable ground
for complaint.
Latterly Mr. Ardron has been, assistant secretary for telephones, and foreign
and wireless telegraphs, the one a rapidly expanding service, and the other
full of possibilities of developments. In 1903, when the International
Telegraph Conference met in London, Mr. Ardron occupied the chair. The Companionage of the Bath was conferred upon him last year,
and he has also received from the King of Denmark the Commandership of the
Order of the Dannebrog.
A very large number of friends will wish Mr. Ardron to enjoy his well-earned
retirement after such a long and honourable career.