CLERKS OF WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 9

CLERKS OF WORKS

FIRST SMOKE CONCERT

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

An air of good-fellowship and enthusiasm pervaded the first smoke concert of the Wellington branch, of the Clerk of Works Association of New Zealand last night. The function was held to mark the seventh anniversary of the branch. Many guests were present to join in the celebration. Mr. A. Cook, who presided, said that when the association was started seven years ago there were no more than a members. Very few clerks of works in-Wellington knew more than two or three of their confreres. The association had passed through tjie depression, and had emerged with 45 members. It was decided that the as-sociation-should "throw a party" for its friends. Among those present that night were members of the architectural and engineering professions, and representatives of building, contracting, and supplying firms. It was once said that clerks of works and contractors were natural enemies, but an intelligent clerk of works could be ,a great help to a contractor or a subcontractor. The loyal toast was then honoured. Proposing the toast of "The Parliament of New Zealand," Mr. Cook said that the association was a non-politi-cal body. Its ideals were the ideals of sound construction and supervision. In reply, Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P.. congratulated the branch on its successful emergence from the slump period. To be born seven years ago was not the best of starts, and hard work and faith were needed to keep things going; The branch was lucky, however, in having as officials Mr. J. D. Georgeson and Captain'H. MartinEoberts. The toast of Parliament in such a country as New Zealand should not be merely a matter of form. In European States, dictatorship had overthrown democracy, and a man dare not say a word that might be construed as against "the interests of the dictator. New Zealand enjoyed the freedom which had. been taken away from people of other lands. , The New Zealand Parliament should; not be disparaged, even, if the views ■ of the party in power were not those of the individual. It required only an. educated people to make, it as perfect as it could be. The present Parliament was not perfect, but there was no doubt that, in. the two and a half years of its existence, it had invigorated the building trade. (Cries of "Hear, hear," and applause.) It was up to the people to direct the policy of the Government, and r it was their verdict which was the final one. He thanked the assemblage lor. the way in which it.had honoured the toast ' ' "%■

Other toasts honoured during the evening were: "Our Patrons," proposed byi Mr. M.| Ronan; "The New Zealand Institute of Architects''- (Mr. J. Halle-' wej); "The New Zealand Institute of Engineers" (Mr. K. Calders); "The Building Trades" (Mr. K. W. Parsons); "Suppliers to the Building Trade, Merchants, and Others". (Mr. E. Dymock)'; "The Artists" (Mr. Ellesdon); and "The Press" (Mr. E;-Wood). Many enjoyable items were: given during the course of the evening.