CIVIL SERVICE CLUB

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 284, 25 August 1908, Page 7

CIVIL SERVICE CLUB

OPENING. FUNCTION. SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER, Civil Servants and ' civilians united in strength yesterday to do' honour to tho opening of tho now Civil Scrvico Club-room' in Ballance Street. Tho orowd waited in front of tho ■ main entranco door until tho Primo Ministor arrived, being photographed meanwhile, 'and Sir Josopli Ward having tlion been handed a silver koy by. Mr. Kirlcoaldio (tho owner of tho building) turnod tho lock and walked inside, tho guests following. Tho Prime Minister led tho way to the largo social hall upstairs.- Here he, tho president of tho Club (Dr. Mason) and other prominent officers of the' Club \Voro provided with qlmii's at tho head of tho room, and Dr. Mason, on* bohalf of tho nkmibcrs, oxprcssed pleasure at tho presence among ■ thorn of tho Primo Ministor. Dr. Mason proceeded to stato that though tho mombers of the Club wore'-mostly Civil Servants the institution had no political significance whatever. _ It was formed entirely for tho conservation of friendship'find 'good fellowship among Civil Servants..- Beyond that, it had no othor puiposo to serve. Since its inception tlio Club, had boon singularly successful. A largo increase of members had takon place; and tho conduct had been most admirable; It 'would ho invidious to particularise by name tho sqvornl gentlemen who had dono yeoman servico. The Club was on a financial footing, and, had ,all tho attributes of a well-govornod concern. It had served good, purposes in. tho .past, and-would most assuredly sorve bettor ill tho future. (Applause.) . , ; Tlio. Prime Minister referred to tho social aspect of tho' Club—a place where men could drop'in and spond a pleasant hour—and said such an institution performed a most important "work and a very good one. If oarried out on proper linos nothing could be mofo calculated to promote good-feeling and harmony,- particularly when politics wore .eliminated, and when young, men'in a country like 'Now Zoaland" were, ontitle'd to''their Own ' opinions. Tho' oosmopolitan character of tho Club was a foaturoworthy of prominent mention.' Tho humblest and tlio- highest camo together without distinction. On behalf of all members, past, prosont, future, ho would say haw much they appreciated that suggestion .of Mr; Jordan's somo years ago, which had led to. tho formation of; tho .Club. (Applause.) : Had tho'Cluh not been initiated attlio time it had tho prosont/sitp would liavo been devoted to somo' commorcial purpose, and siich convenient premises would not liavo been\ forthcoming, Ho might also spy a word of appreciation of tho'good work \acoomplish(jd ,by the. secretary, Mr. Woodrolfe. (Loud applauso.) Tho Proijiior then spoko briefly of tho ramifications of.club lifo in England, and.tho prominent' arid happy future it. had formed im civic lifo. Tho present institution would no doubt ,prove of grejit benefit in tho entertainment and introduction of prominent men from Homo. Ho wanted to" congratulate ono and all upon tho happv. auspices under whioh it was. opened. Ho particularly mentioned the contractors (Messrs. Sanders Bros.}, and tho architect .(Mr. Charlesworth). , Ho.declar&d. tho Club open and wished it every success. (Applauso,) ,• 1 '. ' , . ' The visitors dispersed about tho building. Tho. ladies wero provided,with afternoon tea. Tho .Primo Ministor and tho Hon. J. A. Mil-. Inrlceleor.'i'uxl tho opening of one of tho tbroo billiard tables with a brief, but interesting, -jnatch.