THE BUILDERS' SOCIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 15020, 31 October 1912, Page 8

THE BUILDERS' SOCIAL.

MR BENNETT HONORED. The delegates to the conference of the Federated Builders and Contractors' Association were entertained at a smoke concert in the Waratah. Tea Booms last night. It •was a fine function, not overburdened with wearisome speeches, and excellently conducted by Mr Gabriel Hodges (the president of the Dunedin Association). Amongst the guests wert several architects and merchants, and " th<? general conditions of contract" for the evening needed no discussion, being evinced in the good feeling and camaraderie displayed on all fiides. The prime feature of the function was the presentation' of a mlvci- and oak tea rervice to Mr W. H. Bennett (of Wellington), the chairman of the executive committee, and one of the founders of the federation. Mr S. I. Clark© proffered the gift in an admirably brief and well-worded speech. He said that lie hardly knew how to convey the federation's appreciation of Mr Bennett*? services, except in words that, to those- who did not know, would sound like flattery. So far as continuous representation went he had been associated with Mr Bennett longer than anyone else, and two of the chief characteristics of that gentleman's work as noticed by him were thoroughness and attention to "detail, and absolute honesty and straightforwardness of purpose. (1,0r.d applause.) Mr N. Meuli (Wa.nganui) described Mi' Bennett .as the father of the association, and Mr A. Campbell (Wellington) expressed the respect of the younger members of the association. The toast was honored in the heartiest manner, and Mr Bennett had a great ovation on rising to reply. Ho said that thev had spoken of what the federation owed him, but he could not tell them what he owed to the federation. As a young man he had undertaken with great diffidence the duties of secretary to the Wellington Association, and in a few years had been brought face to face witih the difficulties of the Arbitration Court, where he had to speak for the rights of himself and his fellows. That work had been an education to him, and he was a better man for it. He had used every endeavor to raise the status of the trade, and ho appreciated this token of esteem and good feeding more than ho could express. (Applause.) Mr C. E. George, one of the oldest members of the association,' was entrusted with the toast of-"The Delegates," and i or^iojo r ,o£.th9. aaaJity. of

the debate he had heard in Ihs morning, and his belief that the association were destined to become a power for very great good in the land. Messrs W. Ward (president of the Federation). H. Pearce, and W. H. Bennett responded. Mr Pearce 6aid that the council had given the builders general conditions of contract unequalled in Australasia. In the old days the builder had to sign what the architect wished, and was bound body and soul. Other toasts were:—"The Merchants of Dunedin," "The Architects' Association," and " The Dunedin Builders' Association." Tlte musical programme reached an unusually high standard. Mr Dan Boyd gave two trombone eolos, Messrs J. M'Cennell and G. Monro furnished a droll patter turn, Mr J. M. Duff contributed two tenor songs that caused enthusiasm, and Messrs Oxmi-«ton, Roach, Dempster, and Stewart were no less happy in their contributions. Mr D. Cooke acted as accompanist.