INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERS

Evening Star, Issue 12026, 26 October 1903, Page 3

INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERS

PRESENTATION TO MR I STEVENSON.

A number of gentlemen representative of the local branch of the New Zealand Marine Institute of Engineers, and others connected with the shipping of the port of Dunedin, assembled at the City Hotel on Saturday evening to do honor to Mr I. Stevenson, of the firm, of Stevenson and Cook. Port Chalmers, and to celebrate in a fitting manner the occasion of his receiving the Institute's badge. Among those who were present were Mr'D. A. De Maus (Mayor of Port Chalmers), Messrs A. Morrison (chairman), J. Cook, W. T. Ross, J. Gilroy, W. Burt. A. Walker. W. Smart., J. Imxie, R. Douglas, J. Smith, C. T. Robertson, S. Carman, J. Sparrow, and J. Stevenson. Messrs W. Gardiner. M. M'Callum. A. Hislop. A. Grant. H. Smith, T. Burt, Sharp, A. M'Lnnis, A. Burt, J. Maclean. W. Crawford, Jones, C. Ronald. J. M'Gregor. and J. Armiston sent apologies for non-attendance. After the customary loyal toasts had been honored the Chairman said that they were all pleased to be present that evening to do honor to Mr Stevenson, who had lived and worked among them for many years. His ability as a marine engineer was well known to them all, and the number of aspirants for marine engineering honors whom Mr Stevenson had helped through the most important pari of their business—namely, boiler work —were very many indeed. He called on Mr C. T. Robertson to propose the health of the guest of the evening, and to make the presentation. * Mr Robertson said : Gentlemen and members of the Marine Engineers' Institute, — I have been called upon to present to our gnest, Mr Isaac Stevenson, the badge of the N.Z.LM.E. It gives me much pleasure to be asked to hand over the decoration. At the same time, I think the duty should have fallen on someone more able to do it fittingly than I. I feel sure that everyone here this evening will be pleased to be present at a function to do honor to Mr Stevenson. I have known Mr Stevenson for more than ten years, and no doubt there are many here who can date their acquaintance with him much further back. I do not know that I can express in words exactly what I think of Mr Stevenson, but I think I am perfectly correct in saying that we all know him to be a gentleman, a popular employer, and in all respects a jolly good fellow. Mr Stevenson, I now have much pleasure in handing over to you the Institute's badge, and I hope that you may long be spared to wear it.

The badge—a steamer's propeller, in gold —bore the inscription:—"Presented by friends to Mr I. Stevenson, associate, 22/9/03." A congratulatory letter from the head branch of the Institute, Wellington, was also read. The letter stated, inter alia:— " The Institute desire to recognise your long and valued career as a master engineer, and your many acts of kindness to the lads (now sea-going engineers, and members of the Institute) who have graduated under your control In addition to this, we personally hold you in high esteem, and in asking your acceptance of the badge of the Institute we beg to express the lope that you may long be spared to wear it, and to continue the distribution of those kindly graces which have endeared you to us." The health of the guest of the evening was then drunk with musical honors, after which Mr Stevenson suitably responded. Other toasts were " The Marine Engineers' Society," proposed by Mr Imrie, and responded to ,by Mr S. Carman; " The Union Steam Ship Company," proposed by Mr W. C. Burt, and responded to by Mr Smart"Kindred Trades," proposed by Mr A*. Walker, and responded to by Messrs Cook, Sparrow, and Burt; " Our Host," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mr J. W. Waters; " The Ladies," proposed bv Mr D. A. De Maus, and responded to by Mr W. T. Ross; "Absent Friends," pr posed by Mr Douglas; and " The Press." Vocal items were contributed by Mr De Maus, who sang his own well-known composition, 'The Union Steam Ship Company,' and 'I 100 the lassies'; Mr Douglas ' Annie Laurie' and 'My gum tree canoe'; Mr Ross, ' True, true till death'; Mr Walker, ' Queen of the earth' and * The good Rhein wine. The gathering was brought to a conclusion by the singing of 'Auld king syne,' in which all joined. Mr D. A. De Mans presided at the piano, and played the aawmipaniments.