NEW WOODFORD HOUSE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 56, 16 February 1911, Page 11

NEW WOODFORD HOUSE.

DINNER TO CONTRACTORS ■ AND THEIR MEN. | The workmen engaged in the erection of Woodford House School i at Havelock North were entertained by the directors of the company : at a complimentary* dinner at the , Hew building last evening. Mr. T. E. Crosse occupied the tehair. and about sixty persons sat , down to an excellent repast laid } out on tastefully decorated tables. ■ The toast of “The King” having ; been honoured, Mr. Crosse propos- 1 ed the health of “The Contractor, • Mr. Hugh Campbell,” and in doing | so said it had been stated on several occasions during the progress of the work that the building would not be completed in the specified time, but as Mr. Campbell was a native of Scotland, he (Mr. Crosse) never had any reason to doubt but; that it would be. On behalf of the; directors he thanked Mr. Campbell j for the magnificent work he had put into the building, which reflected > the greatest credit on all concern-, ed. ■

The health of "Mr. E. Barrett, Foreman of Works,” was proposed in a felicitous speech by Mr. Reginald Gardiner, who said that looking back in history it was found that successful generals were extremely particular in choosing a man as chief of staff, and he considered that Mr. Campbell had shown commendable judgment in choosing Mr. Barrett as chief of his staff. On behalf of the directors, Mr. Gardiner handed Mr. Barrett a dressing case in appreciation of the splendid manner in which he had played the game throughout. In proposing the toast of “The Architects. Messrs. Rush and James,” the chairman jocularly remarked that the only improvement he could suggest in their title would be “Rush and Push.”— (Laughter.) As a rule he found architects obstructionists, but in tiie present instance they had done everything possible to give effect to Miss Hodge’s wishes, who, herself, was the finest architect and j builder in New Zealand. Mr. Rush, in referred to the valuable assistance his partner and himself had received from Miss Hodge, and the secretary of the directorate (Mr. R. Gardiner) in preparing the plan®. Mr. Hugh Campbell proposed the toast of “Miss Hodge, and Success to Woodford House,” in graceful terms, and said tnat in travelling round the country he met many girls and mothers who owed a deep debt of gratitude to Miss Hodge, and he felt sure that the whole of New Zealand appreciated the good work she had carried out and intended to do in the future in the cause of education.

Mr. E. L. James was responsible for the toast of “The Sub-Contrac-tors” (Messrs Holt and Sons. Ritchie and Co., J. J. Niven and Co., Hill Bros., Eaton and Rashleigh, and Drury and Underwood). In proposing the health of the Matron (Miss Ward) and the household staff, Mr. Walter McLean remarked that judging by the dejeuner which had been placed before them that evening, the pupils attending Woodford House were extremely fortunate in having Miss Ward at the head of the victualling department. The health of Miss Smetzer was proposed by the chairman, who spoke in complimentary terms of the conspicuous ability shown by Miss Smetzer in handling the work of the school during the absence of Miss Hodge in England.

At the conclusion of the dinner an adjournment was made to the entertainment room, or “great room,” as it -will be known, where Miss Large favoured the visitors by rendering several songs, and Mrs. Hunter played pianoforte solos. A very enjoyable evening was spent by all present, and the entertainment was greatly appreciated by the men.