AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6817, 22 September 1883, Page 5

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS.

The annual festival of the Amalgamated Society Of Engineers was celebrated last ! night at the Lome-street Hall by a supper j atid ball. The affair was excellently arranged for. The ladies were enabled to eDJoy iheir J supper and the speeches which followed in • company with their husbands and sweet- ( hearts, and the departure, of having lady ] friends present on such an occas"on seemed to be thoroughly appreciated. •. There were ' 70 couples present, the preponderance in ' numbers being on the male side. , Mr. Pye, ] from Messrs. Fraser and Tinne's establish- ( ment,. was Chairman in place of Mr. Menzies, President of the association, who, as an ab- . staicer, thought it Jiradent to give up the ■ position of proposing toasts. ■.■ Mr, Porter, foreman of thq pattern-shop in the Railway Department, and Mr. Ballantine. fitter, occupied the two vice>chajrs. Mr. T. McEwen was the caterer, and provided a repast ' whiqh did credit to hia taste and skill, and 1 associated as he was with Mr, Abbott, the ] wines and drinks were liberally provided. A feature, and a noticeable one too, in. the gathering was the number of abstainers at ' the board. They did not wear blue ribbons ! but they were thorough abstainers, and con* ] tented themselves with drinking the toata in 1 water or lemonade. The kindred societies were represented by Mr. John James Hunter (bricklayers) ' and Mr, Tudehope (carpenters). Employers were represented by Mr, McCroskie (Chaptl-street) and Mr. Elliott / (foreman of the locomotive department, rail- j way works). An spology for unavoidable absence was received from Mr, Masefield, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts.. .;...■.,:■;.,«*■■*■»...: ■■•■«..■■■■ ■:■■ Mr. Porter proposed the toast of "The Employers," and referred to the good feeling which had hitherto existed ■ between employers and employed. There was a brighter prospect now in store for them by the workipg of the iron sand, and the arrival of largo steamers in the colony. ■" ■ ... ; Mr. McCroski? responded. He ssiu this was the second time he had been present at their annual gatherirg, and he was pleased to ec.2 that they were increasing in numbers. He /referred to the increase in the trade in JNeiv Zealand, and said that he found that here they were a long way behind the South. There they had better tools and more of them, and a. greater number of "men, though in the South they held the belief that Auckland was better off. Here they had a good and ought to appreciate it. Not ODly that, but their young men who had learnt the trade here had enterprise, spirit, apd fortitude te go to Sydney and ■Melbourne,, and were now filling goods positions. i As the colony increased so would the Engineers, men and master?, increase in Wealth and strength. (Cheers.) - i Mr. Ell oxt also responded.' He was glad the society was progressing-, and hoped the uniform good feeling which had hitherto prevailed between employers and employed Would continue. ....... ...:;'■;&£'■■ The health of "The Visitors " was proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Messrs. Hv»te« and Tddeh pe, Mr. Tdo¥hoi?e then proposed the toast of " The Amalgamated Society of Engineers." it afforded him great pleasure, as a. member of a kindred society, to notice their progress. This was the third time he had represented the: Carpenters' Society at these gatherings, and it gave him great pleasnre to be amongst them. The Chairman said it was his pleasing duty to respond to this toast, and he should liko to have mors time to do so than could be allowed to-night, as he aaw around hiin so many youthful facei , , especially those of the tender sex—(laughter)—for he knew of nothing better than to enrol the ladies in the cause of any society. The principles of these societies were of the first importance; for, no matter how sbleor how competent a man may be, a time may come when he could not work, and then he must starve if there was nothing coming. He directed the attention of young men to the advantages of joining the society. He then proceeded to give statistics. In 1881 there were 46,000 ! odd on the roll ; now the number had increased to 4S.3SS, all ruled by one tried Code. ! Jn 1881 there were 412 branches : 302 in ! England, 41 in Scotland, 14 in Ireland,. 9 in Australia, 6 in Canada, 4 in New Zealand, 1 in France, and 37 in the United States. In ISSI £23,000 had been distributed to men. out of employment, the number varying from 700 to 1400 men ; and in cases of sickness no leas than £57,000 was distributed last year. The Chairman also referred to the superannuated fund of the society and its advantages, and to the general tendencies of tne society in elevating the character of its members. Mr.. Ballantine proposed the toast of "Kindred Societies," whiqh was responded to by Mr. Hunter. The toasts of *' The Ladies," " The Press/' and "The Hosts"followed, and were, duly . acknowledgedThe company then adjourned to the main hail, which had been carefully prepared for the ball.. An efficient band, under Mr, Morris, provided the music, and a capital dancing programme was carried out by Mr, Ballantine, who officiated as M.C. The proceedings were varied by several songs, and the gathering was. One of the most interesting which has been held here for a long time.