THE DINNER

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1932, Page 8

THE DINNER

The dinner tendered last eveing by the Power Board at the Albion Hotel was attended bv a large and representative assemblage. The first toast, f hat of th e King was proposed by the Chairman of the Power Board, Mr J. B. Kent, who presided. The toast of the Visitors, was then proposed by Mr J. W. Greenslade, who said there were two representatives of other Power Boards in the South Island present, Mr Langslade-Hunt (Chairman) and Mr Vicery, Secretary-Engineer to the Springs-Ellsmere Power Board, and there also was Mr Harkness, Mayor of Westport, wher e ther e , was a small hydro plant run by the Borough. The present was an auspicious occasion for the West Coast. He hoped that all the visitors would carry away pleasant memories of their visit. At conferences the local Power Board had been helped considerably by representatives* of other Boards, and on one occasion, they had assisted bv representations to the Government for the local Borough to be allowed to draw ou an overdraft up to £lO,OOO.

Mr Hunt, replying, said the Coast was noted for gold, and there was also a lot of valuable land, which, however, required a good deal of labour to put it in proper order.

Mr H. G. Carter, in proposing the toast of the consulting engineers and contractors, said their good work had resulted in the hydro plant becoming an outstanding feature of th e development of the district. Had it not been for Mr McKay’s energy and perseverance, they would not have witnessed th e opening ceremony that day. Mr J. G. Lancaster, one of th Pl consulting engineers, said a statement had been made that afternoon that the Westport Borough Council owned “a pup.” His firm were responsible for it. The Borough, however, were not ‘ ‘ sold a pup ’ ’ but ‘ ‘ a very small dog ’ ’ and he thought Mr Harkness would agree with him there. The construction of the hydro works at Kaimata was a difficult problem for th P engin eers and contractors. The difficulties had been overcome and a contributing factor was the patience shown by the Power Board. Finality had been reached mainly through the the persistence of Mr McKay. He wished to pay a tribute to Mr McKay in putting the job through (applause). He also referred to the good work of the other contractors. He apologised for his partner, Mr H. Vickerman, who, he said, was responsible for the major part of the scheme. He congratulated (he T’ower Board on the fine plant they now had, and in liis opinion it had one of the cheapest power schemes in New Zealand. Mr McKay, in reply, apologised for the absence of the various other contractors, and expressed appreciation on their behalf of the kind sentiments expressed. With regard to the carrying out of the contract, he would like to say the district had been fortunate i n its choice of consulting engineers, lie thanked Mr Learmont, and Mr Delaney, representatives of the Board, they having done their duty well, and at the samQ time had assisted him in every way.

The toast of past members of the Board was proposed by Mr W. H. Parfitt, -who referred to the members, who had passed from their midst, as well as many who were now not members of the Board, namely, Messrs J. O’Brien, Wicks, J. Taylor, D. Tennent and others.

Mr J. Taylor suitably replied, tracing the past history gf the Board at length. Mr W. Mbldrum proposed the toast of Parliament, coupled with the name of Mr F. L. Turley, remarking that while it might be unfortunate n.) member of Parliament, was present, some present were on the way there. (Laughter). Mr .Meldrum dealt at length with the political side, stating he had a great deal of time f° r Members of Parliament, who he had found were a fine lot of men. Mr Turley in reply said; “ I don’t see why I should be called upon to respond to this toast unless it was because I stood against the Prime Minister in 1928, when unfortunately for New Zealand I was defeated, in stead of Mr Forbes.” (Laughter) “Members of Parliament were put in for a term and if they did not act as the people desired, th e people had the right to say whether they should De returned or not, but unfortunantely some with whom the people were not satisfied, still went in next time. ” He considered Mr Greenslade, who aspired for Parliamentary honours, should hav (X been coupled with the toast.

Mr P. J. McLean proposed the toast of Kindred Local Bodies, Messrs J. II Harkness and R. McTaggart replying.

Mr Harkness said that what he had stated that day about their little plant in Westport, was not derogatory. They were proud of it, and also proud of Messrs Vickerman and Lancaster, who had also been their consulting engineers, and this Board would also b e proud of them. The Westport. Borough Council had a limited vote and could not exceed it, and their catchment area was only one mile, whilst here the water supply came from a great lake. They were proud of their plant in Westport, but unfortunately it was too small for requirements.

Mr McTaggart, also replied briefly, as Chairman of the Hospital Board, stating he now realised the difficulties of local bodies as he -had never done before.

Mr W. Clayton proposed the toast of the Public Works Department, and apologised for the absence of Mr W. Blackadder, Chairman of the Inangahua County Council. Messrs T. A. Johnston and Gavey replied. Mr Johnston paid a high tribute to the consulting engineers in

connection “with the hydro scheme, and also the contractors, in particular to Mr McKay, who had seen the work through during extreme difficulties. Mr Johnston also referred to the high quality of the workmanship, which, he stated, would stand as a lasting memory to Mr McKay. Financially the Public Works Department bunkered now. but it was hoped the Department would play a prominent pa r t in the Dominion in the future. Mr Lancaster proposed the toast of th . Power Board and staff, coupled with the names of Messrs A. J. MeDowall (Secretary) and Sinclair Trotter (Engineer). Mr McDowell looked after the £,S.D. and was held in high esteem by the audit department—partly because they trained him (Laughter). Mr Trotter, he said, was a man of few words, but one who made up for this i n his actions. “You all know what he has had to put up with. He has been doing fine work with the little power h r . has had available until the completion of the hydro,” said Mr Lancaster. Mr Lancaster concluded by stating that in addition to Westport, if power were to go there from here, Otira would probably b 0 linked up also. Mr McDowall, in reply, said the whole of the works had gone on harmoniously. which was something to be grateful for. The toast of the ladies was proposed by Mr Parfitt, and was suitably responded to by Mr A. O. Brown, engineer for the Otira power house. Mr Harkness proposed th<» toast or the Chairman, who. he said, had carIried through the function so well that day. He expressed appreciation on behalf of the visitors, of th 0 cordial manner thev had been treated, the outing having been a thoroughly enjoyable one. Mr Kent, in reply, said the Board and himself were more than pleased that the visitors had had a good time. The Board had had a worrying time of late, and now the scheme was opened up, the Board could carry out other work and explore further avenues for reticulation with beneficial results to the district and also the Board itself. The gathering concluded with tho singing of “Auld Lang Syne. ’ HYDRO BALL The Town Hall presented a pretty spectacle last evening on the occasion of the Grand Hydro Ball, being daintlv decorated with streamers and greenery, together with an abundance of vari-coloured lights. The floor was in excellent dancing order, whilst Steel’s Orchestra provided first-class music for old-time and modern dances. Mr 11. M. Petrie capably discharged The duties of M.C. Those present included:—

Mesdames G. green suede cloth; A. J. McDowall, rose celanese; S. Trotter, dawn pink celanese; W. B. Hutton, saxe blue satin; H. Herring, rose georgette; J. Owen, blue geo*gette; T. Learmont, black taffeta; R. I Sullivan, lemon georgette; A. Kibble, shell pink satin; A. Mosley, floral georgette; Delaney, floral satin brocade; L. McGlashan, black satin; R. Harvey, saxe satin; J. Kennedy, black lace; H. Carter, black net; Reseigh, celanese; Lennox, jade green brocade; B. Harvey, green satin; S. Lythgoe, peach ninon; Rose, pink georgette; G. Smith, pink georgette; Moreland, black net; R. Lnnich (Westport), rose pink ninon; L. Stevens (Christchurch), apricot celanese; W. Ashton, lemon georgette.

Misses V. Harkin, primrose georgette; R. Morrison, saxe blue satin; H. Nelson, black satin; P. Harkin, black taffeta; D. Absalom, blue satin; M. Neubaeur. floral georgette; C. Boddy white georgette and lace; B. Stewart, primrose ninon; L. Reynolds, shell pink satin; M. Martin, almond green georgette; M. Mercer, green satin; Gillingham, rose satin; Cambridge, georgette; J. Abbie, apricot georgette; C. Burns, cycleman velvet; K. Sampson, pale blue georgetee; N. Malpass, black satin and brocade; Johnston, green net; Thompson, red georgette; G. Dixon, shell pink satin; K. Greaney, black satin; J. Hignett, black satin; M. Robinson, floral georgette; J. Dole, lemon net; M. Stewart; floral georgette; R. Bellis, white satin; T. Todd, shell pink satin; J. Cunliffe, floral georgette; H. Nitschke, white celanese; A. Hempseed, white georgette; L. Outram, apple green georgette; W,. Hudd, primrose net; Williams. shell pink satin; R. Semster (Reefton), flame georgette; J. Booth, rose celanese; M. Rundle, floral georgette; M. Connolly (Hokitika), floral ‘georgette; M. Turley, rose georgette; N. Ryan, shell pink ninon; E. O’Reilly, black satin; G. Brown, pink satin; C. Brooks, blue celanese; D. Pound, blue satin; P. Heslin, black satin. Messrs W. Parfitt, Devine (2), Swallow. Murphy, H. Moore, Gage, Moore (2), Powell, J. Rose, H. Hunt, Hanrahan. O’Brien, ,L. McGlashan, Hanna. Denniston, H. Trouland, B. Petrie. I. Steel, R. Steel. J. McLaren, N. McKnight, J. Williaims, R. Stopforth. R. O'Donnell, R. Magee, J. King, W. Heinz, Cook. J. Owen, H. Carter, G. Sullivan. E. Coates, S. Trotter, W. Mitchell, J. Grant. McDowall, H. Hope, A. Tomkies, A. Tilly short, W. Hutton, Tsherwood, Davis (2), L. Lind, J. Brailsford. H. Dodson, J. Keith, J. Orr, V. Baxter. Murphy, Hempseed, B. Adams. G. Gryles, Moss, Greaney, Affleck, Matthews, O. Anderson, Howard, G. Scott, L. Redway, McDonald, Cutl ush, McCullum, Witherington. Langb in. Mclntyre. Martyn G. Boucher, Kibble. H. Herring, Swinburn, A. Twohill. Learmont. Kennedy, L. Callon, E. Martin, Rheia. Baird, Diamond, Lancaster (Wellington), Brown. Swinburn (Westport), Grebey (Westport), Harkness (Westport), G ! . McKay. Morrison. Turley. Delaney, Hay (Wellington), Rollings (Christchurch), W, Mclnroe. G. Perotti, H. Roper, S. Vaile, Hogg (Waiuta), Faulkner, A. Gebbie (Reefton). J. Quinn, A. Cowan, J. Caffin (Christchurch), Mills, Brown, Smith, and J. Clarkson (Christchurch).