MEN WITH THE BAGS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1223, 4 September 1911, Page 3

MEN WITH THE BAGS.

LETTER-CARRIERS' SOCIAL. AN ENJOYABLE GATHERING, ' The Wellington Letter Carriers' Social Club enters with great zest into its- annual dinner. Each year some neiv feature is introduced into tho fathering to give it additional interest; and always file arrangements arc carried out with great thoroughness. On Saturday evening the dinner was held at tho Druids' Hall, Taranaki Street, and the gathering was a large one. The Prime Minister (wlio is-Postmaster-General) was present; also Sir James. Carroll, and Messrs. A. L. Herdman, P.' M. B. Eislier, R. A. Wright, J. P. Luke, D. M'Laren, members of Parliament; Mr. R: Fletcher (chairman of the Wellington HarboUT Board). J. Hislop (private secretary to tho Premier), and a number of Departmental othcers. Mr. T. M. Wilfonl (Mayor of Wellington) sent an apology for non-attendance. Mr. J. Johnston was chairman. Mr. D. Miller .(Chief Postmaster) proposed the .toast of the Government and tho Postmastcr-Geireral (Sir Joseph Ward). In their administrative head they had, ho said, one who took a live interest in the affairs of officers.of all grades. A further reference by the speaker to tho title lately conferred upon Sir Joseph ward was received with loud applause. The Prime Minister was greeted with chcfers. He thanked the chairman for the kind expressions regarding himself ana his colleagues. He could assure them that it was his great desire to do what ho could for the postal service, and, indeed all other of tho public service. He referred to his own early connection with the postal service. .The Prime Minister then went on to deal witli various matters which are reported elsewhero in this issue. Concluding his remarks, lie said that he looked hack with great interest to the extraordinary development in the postal and telegraph service since he had assumed control of it. The old Reads of departments had long since passed to their last rest. There was not a Chief Postmaster now who occupied that position when he into office. Most of those now filling: those offices' were in very small positions in those days. It showed that tho highest position in tho service could gradually be attained by those who started in the very lowest place. He paid tributes to the executive heads of tho Department, and to tho way the service vras being carried out. Its organisation and administration must, be a source of satisfaction to all. In conclusion the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation and pleasure at the opportunity of boing pressnt at their annual gathering. (Loud applMr?'(J. B. Dall proposed the toast of "Members of Parliament." He drew a humorous analoijy between Parliament and a game of bowls, and coupled with tho toast all the members of Parliament " In responding to the toast, Mr. Fisher said that owing -to the number of the members of Parliament present their remarks must/ be necessarily brief. He wished, however, to endorse a statement that had been made that the opponents of the Government believed that whatever tho views of those in authority were, that they were doing what they thought was best for the country. .They, gave the Government credit for thinking that, like themselves, their views were the best. (Applause.) , Mr. Herdman said one reason lie was glad to be present was that in this way he might testify to liis realisation of tho ■ important. and responsible duties fcne letter-carriers fulfilled so well. (Applause.) These men, : he showed, were in. positions of trust, and rarely wero com.p hints inado of tho way tiiey carried out their duties. They had well earned the good name bestowed upon them. , t, Messrs. J.'P. Luke, D. M'Laren, and R. A. Wright also briefly and appropriately Sir James Carroll (who was cordially received) proposed "Tbe Postal and Telegraph Service"—one of the most important departments,, he .said, .?* *nc P u °?!® service. Mt«. he said, had been a schoolmate of his at Napier; and their meeting together in their present positions showed that in the servico of this country there always tho opportunity for climbing up the ladder; and reaching positrons. Mr. D.' Robertson (secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department) replied. His remarks, which contain somo interesting information relative to the progress of the Department, are also reported elsewhere. Other toasts honoured were: "The City of Wellington and' the Wellington Har--hour Board," proposed by Mr. F. V. Waters, ami responded to br Mr. R, Fletcher; "Tho Chief Post Office," proposed by Mr. C. D. M'Ewan, and acknowledged by iMr. E. 0. Gannaway; . "Tin L-stter-Carriers' Social Club," proposed by Mr. Collins, and responded to by Mr. R-, Spear (hon. secretary); "The Post and Telegraph Association," proposed by Mr, A. T. Markman, and acknowledged by Mr. H. Coombes. Music was provided by the Letter-Car-riers' Orchestra, ?.nd contributions to the social side wero given by Messrs. Chris, Neilson, E-. B. L. Reade, C. M'Erlean, T, Hodges, C. J. O'Brien, W. Moxham, A, Outrim. H. Hatc'hard, ?.nd others. Mr, R. A. Evenson was pianist.