AUCKLAND CONSULAR CORPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1930, Page 8

AUCKLAND CONSULAR CORPS.

ANNUA!. DINNER HELD.

M. SERRE'S TRIBUTE TO THE KING

The annual dinner of the Auckland Consular Corps, held on Monday at the Star Hotel, was of a more formal-nature than previously. In addition to members of the corps and their wives, Major /•. H. Bathuist and Mrs. Bathurst, representing Lord and Lady Bledisloe, and Mr. C. M. Croft, Canadian Trade Commissioner, and Mrs. Croft, were present.

M. Paul Serre, Consul for France and dean of the corps, presided, and the other countries were represented as follows: Mr. A. M. Ferguson, Belgium; Mr. W. F. Boyle, United States; Mr. J. A. C. Allum; Switzerland; Mr. M. Copeland, Holland; Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell, Sweden; Mr. J. Totich, Yugoslavia; Mr. N. Hoath, Latvia; Mr. A. B. Roberton, Japan; Mr. F. S. Battley, Argentine; Mr. W. Birss, Ecuador.

The growing spirit of friendship between members of the corps was referred to by M. Serre. Although the corps had been established for only seven years, three members had been removed by death. They were Mr. J. E. Hall, Consul for Mexico, Mr. G. L. Scansie, Consul for Yugoslavia, and Mr. J. H. Pagni, Ccnsul for Italy.

In proposing the toast of "The King," M. Serre said it was his privilege to propose the toast of the great sovereign of the British Empire, who reigned today over 450 millions of subjects in all parts of the world. "Hi* remarkable recovery from his recent illness," said M. Serre, "is to be regarded almost as a miracle, and he is to be congratulated on having celebrated the 20th anniversary of his accession to the throne."

The deputy-dean' of the corps, Mr. A. M. Ferguson, proposed the'': toast of "The Governor-General and Family," and Mr. J. A. C. Allum that of "The Prime Minister and Members of the Cabinet."

M. Serre, in replying to the toasts of "The Dean and Deputy-Dean," said that one of the things he would value most when the time came for him to retire from his position in Auckland would be the knowledge that representatives of ,the different countries would stand united against any disturbing factor working contrary to the interests of the corps. He felt that his efforts in creating the first League of Consuls in New Zealand had been amply repaid.

Other toasts honoured were: "The Ladies," proposed by Mr. W. F. Boyle, and responded to by Mrs. A. M. Ferguson; "The Consular Corps at Wellington and Dunedin," proposed by Mr. A. E. Roberton; "Absent Members," proposed by Mr. M. Copeland; "The Guests," proposed by Mr. F. S. Battley, and responded to by Mr. C. 'M. Croft and Major Bathurst; "The Press," proposed by Mr. J. T. F. Mitchell. Mr. M. Copeland was toast-master. At the conclusion of the toast list, a programme of elocutionary items was given by Mr. D. Flood.