RAILWAY OFFICERS

Evening Star, Issue 15539, 8 July 1914, Page 6

RAILWAY OFFICERS

THE INSTITUTE’S ANNUAL

The annual conference of the executive council of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute commenced this morning in the offices of the secretary (Mr R. C. Morgan). The president (Mr J. Young, of Wellington) was in the chair, and the following delegates were present :—Messrs A. IV. Hutchings (Wellington), J. Kane (Dunedin), C. P. Ryan (Wanganui), W. 0. Ennis (Dunedin), A. W. Morgan (Auckland), E. Casey (Auckland), F. Truman (South Auckland), J. P. M'Davitfc (Wanganui), V. J. R. Stanley (Palmerston North), W. H. Cracknell (Hawke's Bay), L. Barclay (Wellington), W. P. L. Carter (Wellington), J, G. M'Pherson (North Canterbury), J. T. Morgan (North Canterbury), W. G. Wray (Westland), R. F. Patterson (South Canterbury), W. J. Foote (North Otago), G. Matlhewson (Dunedin), F. Finlayson (Green Island), and G. H. Mackley (Invercargill). The morning session was occupied with the consideration of correspondence, and of the report and balance-sheet. Proceedings were in private. The report referred in grateful terms to the fair and reasonable, way in which the Hon. Mr Herries and the management had met the institute in the Railways Amendment Act, and the Amended Regulations, which must on the whole give great satisfaction to the members of the institute. The chief among the improvements was the amended scale of salaries, which, in addition to providing an increase of £5 in the minimum and £2O in the maximum ' salary of the 9th grade, also resulted in tho elimination of the obnoxious £2lO-220 grade, and, further, would give substantial promotion to all members in tho higher grades. In the. matter of finance the executive reported that the balance brought forward from last year was £758 14s lid, and the receipts during tho year amounted to £1,057 6s 6d. The revenue from subscriptions was £954 13s Bcl, against £782 18s 2d, an increase of £l7l 14s lid. The increase in members’ subscriptions accounted for approximately £6B, and the balance—£lo3 14s_ lid—was due to the increased subscription payable from January 5, 1914. The increased revenue that would now be received would enable a reserve fund to be built up to meet any expenditure that might bo necessary in the interests of members of the institute. The balance carried forward to next year's account was £695, a decrease of £63. but in view of the extraordinary expenditure during the year, the result of the year's working was very satisfactory. At the close of last year the “levy” account was in credit to the extent of £209 ss, but it was necessary during the year to transfer nearly £BO from the general fund to meet the expenditure chargeable to this account. Included in the charges debited to this account was an amount of £7O .paid for special representation in Wellington during tho 1912 session of Parliament. During the year £2OO was placed on fixed deposit at the Bank of New Zealaild'for a term of two years at 4 per cent, per annum. This broueht the amount-on fixed dcoosit up to £350, and it was confidently expected that a further £2OO should be available for investment before next year's accounts were closed.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted after comment and discussion.