ENGINEERS’ INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 257, 26 July 1929, Page 3

ENGINEERS’ INSTITUTE

ANNUAL MEETING A sound state of affairs was reported at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, which was held on Wednesday night; the president, Mr. W. J. Galloway being in the chair. Referring to the unemployment problem, the report stated that members had not suffered unduly, as employment of a temporary nature as far as skilled artisans were concerned had always been more or less available, and locally demands bad been met with a fair amount of success. The remoteness of some members in adversity had made it difficult to render the assistance the Institute might otherwise i.ave been able to do. The main industrial agreement with the Union Steam Ship Company, which was renewed during the year, had accorded to members an increase in wages and improve'’ conditions. It had been decided to renew the present agreement with the Wellington City Corporation for shift engineers, and the agreement with the Associated Freezing Companies was at present under review. The matter of the agreement with the coastal shipping companies was still in abeyan> - e, and it was hoped that negotiations were again renewed, an agreement satisfactory to all concerned would be reached. During the year the following matters of importance were represented to the Minister of Marine: —Regulations relating to the examination of engineers—mercantile marine; appointment of chief inspector of machinery and surveyor of ships ; manning scale—oil-engined vessels : salaries—machinery inspectors ; examination clauses—lnspection of Machinery Act. Election of Officers.

In accordance with the usual custom nominations of officers on the committee of management for the ensuing year were received at the April meeting of the branch, and submitted to a general vote

lof the .members, the following being elected: —President, Mr. W. J. Galloway (unopposed); treasurer, Mr. H. AL Neilson (unopposed); vice-presidents Messrs. J. P. Burns, V. J. Burns, and P, H. Davey; councillors, Messrs. G. Hast, P. Mackenzie, D. F. Macdonald, —■. Morath, J. L. Morgan, G. Watt, and A. G. Wilson. ~ ~ , , A tribute was paid to the valued services of the president, Mr. W- J- GalloThe previous year had closed with a total membership of Suu, and during the last twelve months the membership had changed as follows: Deaths, 7; resignations, 6; transfers to other branches, u; transfers to honorary retired list, 3; added by election, 35; transfer from other branches, 1; the year closing with a membership as follows: Active, 700; hon. retired, 32; hon. associates, 71; associates, 31; club members, 17; auxiliary members, 7; a total of 858, of which 488 active members were clear of all dues. The deaths recorded during the year were those of Mr. J. Cable, Mr.' C. F. Ronalds, Mr. W. R. Inglis, Mr. W. Urwin, Mr. D. Mackinnon and Mr. A. Levestam, and Mr. R. Paterson (associate member). Sound Finances. The financial statement showed credit* as follow: —General fund,, £6492 18s. 2d.; reserve fund, £5519 14s. 4d.; insurance benevolent fund, £1837'65. 6d.; library fund, £4l 18s. 9d.; a total of £13,891 17s. 9d., representing an increase for the year of £515 7s. 2d., a total of £9570 2s. Bd. was invested on fixed deposit, an increase of £291 9s. lOd. The building of the branch had been maintained efficiently, and the valuation for 1929 was unimproved £1750. improved £7500, a total of £9250, representing an increase of £3195 on the previous valuation. A total amount of £3793 7s. was still owing ' on the building, a reduction for the year J of £348. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.