NAPIER RAILWAYMEN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 80, 16 March 1936, Page 4

NAPIER RAILWAYMEN

A.S.R.S. Jubilee Celebrated The Napier branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants celebrated the golden jubliee of their society at a smoke concert in fthet Railway Social Hall, Station street Napier, on Saturday night. Over a hundred people were present, including representatives from other railway societies and civil service associations. A lengthy toast list was honoured, with talented musical items interspersed between the toasts. The Napier Borough Council was represented by the Mayor, Mr C. 0. Morse, and Mr E. L. Cullen, M.P., was also present. Others attending included the station master, Mr McDonald, Mr D. Mcßae, representing the Napier branch of the Labour Party, and Mr Tacon, acting local foreman. The arrangement of the musical programme was in the hands of Mr M. G. Day, and included community singing and songs. Recitations by Mr Shinnick proved popular, as did an accordion solo. The accompanist for the evening, Mr Phil Walden, also rendered several piano selections. Toasts honoured were:— “The King,” proposed by the chairman; “A.S.R.S.” (Mr Shinnick —Mr Dockery), Each of these speakers spoke of their long association with the society, and mentioned the struggles it had made to better the condition of second division workers. The next toast was “Parliament, Past and Present,” proposed by Mr D. Mcßae, who stated that he did not propose to include any past Parliaments in the toast, for the reason that, in his opinion, they were no good. This toast was replied to by Mr E. L. Cullen. M.P. for Hawke’s Bay. The “Civil Service” was proposed by Mr Johnson and replied to by Mr Cockburn-, who spoke of the time when all branches of the civil service should be banded together and united for their common good. The “Local Bodies” was proposed by Mr McDonald, and replied to by the Mayor, Mr C. 0. Morse, and “Kindred Societies” was proposed by the master of ceremonies, Mr Boldt, the response being made by Mr Tacon. The Mayor proposed the toast of the “New Zealand Railways,” and spoke of the progress the railways had made in recent years. He spoke of forms of competition,' emphasising that the most serious menace came from the air. The new rail cars, which would soon be in general use, would do much to counteract this competition. Mr McDonald, replying, said that the rail cars would be seen in Hawke’s Bay before the lapse of many months. These toasts were followed by “The Ladies” (Mr Hart—Mr Eraser), and “The Performers” (Mr M. Davidson—Mr Day). Mr Boldt then proposed "The Chairman,” Mr Cleary, who, he said, had proved himself so able a leader, with the interests of the society at heart, that he had recently been elected to a further term of office in the chair. Mr Cleary replied, thanking those present for the way in which they had drunk his health, and welcoming the many visitors, as they afforded an opportunity for the' members of his society and those of others to meet and co-operate. Performers on the concert programme, arranged by Mr Day, were Messrs o’Shannessey, Hart, Shinnick, Horn, Day, and Phil Walden. The evening closed with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”