The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Whitton, John
Whitton, John, was born at Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1819. After many years' experience on the English railways he was appointed, on the recommendation of the President of the Board of Trade, Engineer-in-Chief of the New South Wales railways in March 1856, and subsequently had sole charge of the construction of railways, and also of railway surveys, in the colony; and for many years he was also in charge of the locomotive and permanent way branches. In 1890 Mr. Whitton retired, and was allotted a special pension in view of his lengthened and exceptional services. The amount was, however, considerably reduced by the Assembly on account of its unprecedented nature, which, it was feared, might give rise to similar claims in the case of other officers in the future.