AN ENJOYABLE GATHERING.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10974, 25 May 1901, Page 5

AN ENJOYABLE GATHERING.

On Thursday evening the annual social given by Messrs Strange and Co. to theii employees took place in the Canterbury "Hall. XJie invitations, with visitors and friends, included about 1500, and the large hall was filled. Amongst the guests'were his Worship the Mayor and Mrs Rhodes. The stage was beautifully furnished as a drawing room, and also the south corridor. Refreshments were laid in the two halls qn the ground floor, and the Executive Committee, comprising Messrs J. A. Clarke (chairman), H. V. Free, T. C. Ashman, J. Mitchell, and H. Williams (hon. secretary) deserve every credit for the admirable manner in which the whole of the arrangements were carried out. Nothing was left undone to conduce to "the comfort of the guests. His Worship the Mayor, in opening the proceedings, referred with regret to the absence of Mr Wm. Strange, who was detained at Ashburton. Some forty years ago the business was founded by Mr W. Strange, who was recognised as one ol our most energetic and enterprising business men. The firm had been reconstructed in 1894, when Mr Coverdale joined tha. firm as partner, and under the able management the business of Stranga and Co. had advanced by leaps: unti bounds. He need only refer to one of the industries established in connection with the firm—'that of the fur-niture-niaking., the remarkable results of which were shown at the Jubilee Exhibition. He* was also .glad to notice that Messrs Strange and Co. had been selected as furnishers- of the residence of the Duke ar.d Duchess of Cornwall. When they found that a: firm like Messrs Sti-ange and Co. \vev9 employing no less than 500 hands, all in receipt of good wages, it was a record of which Canterbury might well be proud. With reference to the Mutual Aid Society, established by the employees at Mr Coverdale's suggestion, he found that this society had 1 at the commencement of tbe-'past year 190 members on its prill. During the year 153 new memEfers joined, while. 53 retired, leaving a membership of 290 for the year, or an increase of 100,. member*, during the twelve months. The receipts during the year were £175 14s 4d, representing members' donations and the .£ for £ subsidy donated by Mr Strange and Mr Coverdale respectively,' amounting to £87. This, with the balance of £88 6s 9d" brought forward from the previous year, made s total of £264 ls Id. The expenditure foi the year was £148 19s 4d, including a donation of £10 to the Indian Fan-in. Fund, and £128 18s disbursed in relieving cases of sickness and distress amongst the members. This was, he ventured to think, a very creditable record indeed. The -society was conducted on excellent lines. It was not obligatory, on anyone to join, and the relief afforded was not confined to pecuniary assistance. The sick Deceived many little attentions from, the visitors who were appointed! from time to time, such as those in their condition were sure to appreciate. Associations of this kind, moreover, were calculated to foster a kindly spirit and sarve as a bond of unioa betwixt the members. ..'.-,..-■-

The address of his Worship was followed by a programme of mistical and other item-., which were given by Mrs Tipler, Miss Lucy Ryan, Miss Ritchey, Messrs Percy Denton, Millar, P. Hockley, and B. S. Collier, together -with several numbers by the employees of the firm, a recitation by Madame Guengeidt was specially good, as were also songs by Misses Pasrter and limes.' Rev. Dr. JErwin gave a very excellent address on 'Mental Culture." At the > close of the programme dancing to the music of Mr Fox's Quadrillo Band was kept up to an early hour, "everyone thoroughly eng'oying themselves.