RAILWAY EMPLOYES' SUPPER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5325, 14 March 1879, Page 5

RAILWAY EMPLOYES' SUPPER.

oThe railway employes' supper took place at the Glasgow Pie-housa last evening. Mr Hislop presided, arid Messrs Butchait and Matthewson were the vice-chairmen. There were about 50 gentlemen present. Mr Donaldson, the host, provided an excellent repast; and after this had been paitaken of several toasts were diunk and songs sung. The Chairman made the following stafemeut .-—Since last annual supper, when Dunedin section had (31 miles of main line and 42 miles of branch line open, the main trunk line has been completed from Ainberley to Kingston, a distance cf 491 miles main line, and 230 miles bianch lines, the proportion belonging to Dunedin section being 152 miles main line and 73 miles bianch lines. The fact of traffic being carried through frr.m the Dunedin section to other section?, and vice versa, prevents anyactual estimate o£ the increase on any individual section ; but it may be intereting to know that, whereas in February, 1878, the earnings on the joint lines were L 35,003103 6d, they amounted in .February, 1579, to L 48,028 15s 11, and that whilst the eight months from July, 1877, to February, 1878, showed earnings, L 232,579 lls 3d, the corresponding months ia l£7B-9 showed L 318.318 Is Bd—an increase of L85,73S 10s 3d. This large increase of cursings has, no doubt, caused an increase of wo^k, enhanced besides by the comparatively small quantity of rolling-sock and locomotive power at the disposal of the department. I would like to make a few remarks re difficulties in working this section as compared to Christchm-jh and Invercargill section, i.e., heavy gradients and sharp curves, which prevent our engines taking large loads. It i?, howevir, a matter of congratulation that this immense traffic is carried on to the entire satisfaction of the public, and this we can only alttibute to the hearty cj-oparation of all employed on the New Zealand railwajs, and I tiu?t that we shall all continue to show that esprit de corps which is so necessary for the proper carrying out of all such uadi rtakings. And now, gentlemen, 1 cj,U upon you to j°>in me heartily in drinking "Pxosperity to New Zealand Kailways." Among the toasts were—"The Traffic Department," coupled with the name of Mr Butchart, propossdby Mr Mutthewson ; "The Engineers' Depaitment," proposed by Mr Butchart; ''The Goods Department," proposed by Mr Monk; " The Locomotive Department," proposed by Mr Henry; "The Per-manent-way Depaitment," propo?ed by Mr Bell; and " The Pasfenger Department," proposed by Mr Stewart. A mojt enjoyable evening was spent.