MARINE ENGINEERS.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1923, Page 7

MARINE ENGINEERS.

WELCOME TO NEW SECEETAEY.

Members of tie Wellington branch 1 of the Marine Engineers' Instiute gathered in their social hall last evening to extend a welcome and to'express their congratulations to Mr. \V. Somnierville on his selection as the new secretary ot the institute, to which position he waa appointed by ballot on the preferential system by "a. substantial majority on each count. The president of the institute, Mr. A. Basire, presided, and the evening, a, smoke concert, went by very pleasantly. . The president, in proposing the toast of "Our Guest," spoke of Mr. Sonjmerville's energy and zeal and his steady application to questions which were to tlie benefit of eagiueers, both sea-going and shoro members generally, and of the esteem in which lie woe held. ffi« enthusiasm and application to matters pertainiug to administration, plus the steady backing and assistance of the executive and members would bring a, revival of interest, by. which means alona would conditions of sea and shore memIxrs be improved and the work of the wholo institute keyed up and placed on a still higher level. In Mr. Sommer-" ville the institute had chosen a young man of great energy. Messrs. H. Baldwin, A. Watson, J. Carswell, F. Cornet, and E. D. Wallace spoke in support of the toast, andMr. Sommerville, in reply, referred to the useful and steady work done by th» late secretary, the late Mr. T. E! Wallace, and the capable- manner in which the acting-secretary, Mr. C. H. Jenkins, had carried on in the interim.

Later during the evening the presentation of the institute's emblem was made to the president by llr. J. Rankine, who spoke of the keen interest Mr. Basive had taken in all matters pertaining to the institute over no lees than 1 thirty years and as an officer for over twenty years. No member had been. more deserving of this emblem, which \v;is the highest honour the institute could give, than Mr. Basirc, whose work as a comniilteeman. vice-president, and president for the last four years had ■ been'of outstanding sarvice to members ' Other toasts honoured were the "'RoVai toast; -The Acting Secretary," an< a ..f, ft *. Press and during the evening enioy!able items were given by Meegr? 4 T