TRAMWAY COMPANY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6873, 10 March 1883, Page 5

TRAMWAY COMPANY.

Abkhaz Dxshxb. The annual dinner of the Canterbury Tramway Company’s employee* took place last night at the Gaiety Theatre, which had been very tastefully decorated with bunting and flowers for the occasion, a very conspicuous device being a shield bearing a horse-shoe enclosing the motto, "Good luck.” Host Warner supplied a menu of which he might well feed proud, and after the company had shown their appreciation of it in the most convincing manner, the usual speech-making was indulged in. About 60 gentlemen were present. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Pratt, Chairman of Directors, supported by Mr J. E. Brown, HJELB., and Mr V. J. Garrick; and the vice-chair was occupied by Mr T. A. Peterkin, Traffic Manager. An apology was made for the absence of Mr 0. W. Turner. The Chairman proposed “ Ibe Queen and Eoyal Family," wuioh was drank with musical honours. Mr A. Evans, general manager, proposed “His Excellency the Governor and his Responsible Advisers," taking occasion to refer to the fact that His Excellency was himself an engineer, and would feel at home with engineers. He gave a brief sketch of the history of the Company in its relations with the present and last Governments, and acknowledged the service done by the disallowance of the tramway by-law, which disallowance would prevent the Company being hampered in their efforts to please (he general public, whilst it will tend to ensure the success of the Company. He coupled with the toast the same of Mr Garrick, the Company’s solicitor. The toast was drank with cheers. Mr Garrick responded, expressing his belief that Bis Excellency would have been glad to be present, and that, whatever party held office, the Ministers of the day would do their best for the interests of the community. He thought meetings between employers and employed, like the present, were calculated to create the best possible feelings amongst all classes of the community. He concluded by thanking the Company in bia own name and that of the profession he felt it an honour to belong to. Mr Peterkin proposed “Success to the Tramway Company." The toast was drunk with cheers. The Chairman returned thanks on behalf of the Directors, the shareholders, and the Company generally. It was gratifying to the Directors to sec the toast so cordially received by the employees, because the success of the Company depended on all pulling together. Such a meeting of employed and employers was perhaps a novelty, but be thought it might well, be imitated pretty generally. At Homo employees were admitted at shareholder*, and thus became interested in the Welfare of undertakings. Next to such apian, such meetings at the present were desirable. The toast was drunk with musical honours. Hr Chalmers responded in a brief speech. Mr Peterkin proposed “ The Health of the Chairman," wishing him long life and success. The toast was enthusiastically honoured. The Chairman briefly responded. At this stage Mr Pratt was compelled by a previous engagement to leave, ana his place was taken by Mr J. E. Brown. The Chairman proposed “ The Health of the Auditor." The toast was duly honoured. Mr H. B. Alport responded, in the course of hie remarks complimenting the Secretary on bis efficiency, and congratulating the Company on poieeeiing such an officer. Mr B. Walton proposed “The Brest.” The toast was drunk with musical honours, and suitably acknowledged by 4he members of the Press present Mr Haiti's proposed “The Ladies," which woe enthusiastically drunk. Mr Whitfield responded. Mr Evans proposed “The Late Chairman," and spots in eulogistic terms of the energy and pluck displayed by Mr J. E. Brown. The toast was drank with musical honours. MrJ. E. Brown responded, detailing the struggles of the tramway's early existence, till it had at length converted its bitterest enemies into its warmest friends. He concluded by expressing his confidence in Messrs Evans and Peterkin, on whom had now devolved the duties of management Mr |R. Allan proposed “The Health of (he General Manager, Ur Evans," in doing so using vsry complimentary terms. The toast was drunk with musical honours, and oheers for Mrs Evans and the little one. Mr Evans responded, in the course of hie remarks claiming that the Canterbury teamway* were the best in the Colony. Mr W. H Lane proposed, "The Health of the Traffic Manager, Mr Peterkin." The toast was enthusiastically drunk, with one cheer more for the little Petorkins. Mr Peterkin briefly responded, and proposed, "The Health of MrO. W. Turner," Whp was prevented by ill-health from being J. T- Peacock proposed,"The Local Authorities." ib J. E. Brown proposed, "The Host and Hottest." Mr Warner Mi Bonded. Bis nswaiMwea I—lmtel at*

with cheer* for the Director*, the Chairmen, the sx-Chairman, the employe**, &<>. During the evening Mr Wright played on the piano some excellent eelection*, betide# accompanying the songs of Messrs PasomaiL Chapman, Kkin*, Whitfield, Garrick, amt Briokott.