LONGBURN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 4

LONGBURN.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONGBURN, March 1.

On Wednesday night a complimentary banquet was tendered to Messrs I 1 ranzslow and their fellow employees and friends. Both guests arc members of the station staff and have reecived notice of their transfer, Mr Franzslow to Westport and Mr Johansen to Patea. Mr F. Brockliss occupied the chair. The chairman, in proposing tho toast of the guests, said that as stationmaster he was very sorry indeed to lose two such efficient officers. At the same time he realised that when promotion came along it was usually followed by a change of domicile. In congratulating them on their promotion, he expressed the opinion that both officers would go far in the service and assured them that they would always have the best wishes of those they were leaving behind. Eulogistic reference to the efficiency, tact and courtesy always extended to the public by the guests was also made by Messrs Meenhan, Mellor and Rowland. In responding, both gentlemen expressed their sincere thanks to the various speakers for' their kind remarks and also specially thanked Mr Brockliss for his many act 3 of help and guidance without which promotion would have been much longer in coming. During the evening Mr Franzslow gave a short but very interesting address on local industries, and the important part that is taken in the maintenance of those industries by the railways. The freezing works was almost entirely dependent on tho railway for the transport of live stock to the works and wholly so in the carrying of the carcases to the port. As the works buyers operated over the greater part of the southern part of the North Island, railway transport formed a very considerable portion of the freezing works organisation. It was pointed out by Mr Franzslow that the Kiwi Bacon Co. also largely depended on the railways for transport, and his hearers were interested to learn that the bacon factory drew supplies from as far afield, as Dargavillo in the north and from the Bay of Plenty and East Coast districts. The Kairanga Dairy Co. used the railways in a less degree as road transport was essential in delivering the produce at tho factory, but when once centralised and manufactured into butter and cheese the railways were responsible for the transport to the port of loading. At the conculsion of his address Mr Franzslow was heartily applauded. After the loyal toast had been duly honoured, other toasts proposed were as follow: “New Zealand Railways,” Mr T. Rowland, replied to by Mr Brockliss; “Our Guests,” the chairman, replied to by Messrs Franzslow and Johansen; “The Ladies, 1 ' Mr Rikihana, replied to by' Mr McClelland; “The Press,” proposed by Mr Mellor, replied to by Mr T. Rowland. During the evening a particularly enjoyable programme of vocal, instrumental and elocutionary items! was rendered by the following: Messrs Rikihana, Olliffe, West, Meehan, Stirling and Hearle. The singing of “Auid Lang Syne” brought to a close a very successful evening. The enthusiastic spirit which prevailed throughout spoke volumes for the popularity of the guests of honour.