RAILWAY OFFICERS' "SOCIAL."

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1424, 15 June 1899, Page 17

RAILWAY OFFICERS' "SOCIAL."

As a pleasant wind-up to the Conference of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute, the visiting delegates were entertained at an oyster supper atthe Trocadero on Saturday night by the Wellington branch, and yesterday they were driven out to the Taita, where they were entertained at dinner. At the supper Mr A. T. Peterkin, Locomotive Engineer, who presided, read apologies for non-attendance from the Hon Mr Cadman, (Minister of Railways), and Messrs T. Ronayne (General Manager), C. Hudson (Assistant General Manager), and F. F. Rotheram (Locomotive Superintendent). “The Queen” was honoured in the usual way, and “The Management” was then proposed by Mr A. Graham, and seconded by the Chairman.

The toast- of “The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants” was replied to by Mr W. Austin, chairman of the Wellington Branch. “The Delegates” was proposed by Mr W. A. Palmer and responded to by Messrs T. W. Styles (Wellington), Graham (Otago), Pearse (Auckland), Harris (Wanganui), Thomas and Millward (Canterbury) and Cameron (Southland). “The New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute” was proposed by Mr A. K. Harris.

Mr 'l'. W. Styles, of Wellington, in responding. referred to the satisfactory progress made by the institute since its formation in Yv'ellington in 1895. At times tlie work had been arduous, but by persistent agitation and combined action improvements had been made and obstacles removed. He referred in the wannest terms to the Hon Mr Cadmau’s treatment of the officers of the institute. There was, he said, signs of a very considerable revival in favour of the institute throughout the colony, and soon, it appeared to him, nearly every officer in the colony would belong to it. He spoke in favour of the formation of clubs for special purposes in connection with the branches in the various centres. Lack of funds only prevented their securing suitable buildings, but the members felt a keen interest, in the movement, and that interest would be keptalive until the clubs were established.

Mr A. K. Harris proposed “The Wellington Branch,” and Messrs Batten and Ilobuson responded. In responding to the toast of “The General Secretary of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute.” Mr C. D. Morpeth referred to tlie excellent work being done by the institute, and expressed the opinion that railway men should be able to look forward to an assured position and a satisfactory income.

The toast of “The Press” was replied to by the /representatives of the “New Zealand Times” and “Evening Post.” During the evening songs were given bv Messrs A. Cook, E. J. Fleming, McCarthy, F. W. Lash, A. T. Peterkin, O’Brien, Mainwaring and Styles. The music was supplied by Mr M. G. Fisher.