PUBLIC SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 23255, 19 July 1937, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVICE

SOUTHLAND BRANCH OF ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Southland Section of the New Zealand Public Service Association was held in the Rosewood tea rooms on Saturday night. The chairman (Mr G. F. M. Stewart), in extending a welcome to the members, expressed satisfaction at seeing such a large number present. Later in the evening the opportunity was taken to wish Mr H. Anthony, late of the Prisons Department, who recently retired, many happy years of retirement The report and balance-sheet disclosed a net increase in the membership of 190, the total number of members at the close of the year being 432. The large increase was chiefly due to the inclusion in the Public Service of the staff of the Southland Electric Power Supply, now a Government institution. The total amount of subscriptions collected during the year was £l9l 1/1, a record for the section, said the report. An improvement in the method of collecting future subscriptions had been introduced. It would considerably relieve the work of the local committee and would also be a distinct advantage to the individual member, The social side of the section had not been overlooked, and several pleasant social functions had been held during the year. A table tennis club had been formed, and the committee was indebted to the Southland Electric Power Suply Miniature Rifle Club for its assistance. The lack of suitable accommodation had been a handicap and action was being taken to have this remedied. During the year the committee lost the services of Mr S. C. Gillies, who had been honorary secretary and treasurer for a number of years, through is promotion to Wellington. At the conclusion of the annual meeting supper was served and a programme of toasts and musical items arranged. The toast list was as follows:— “The New Zealand Public Service Association” (proposed by Mr A. McCarthy and responded to by Mr R. G. Morrison); “The Old Brigade” (Mr V. Rawley —Mr H. Anthony); “The Ladies” (Mr H. Teychenne—Misses Weir and Murray); “The Performers” (Mr T. Dutton —Mr Butler); “The Social Committee” (Mr E. Crimp—Mr Uttley). The following items were given: Song, Mr H. Anthony; pianoforte solo, Miss Stocker; recitation, Miss J. Parfitt; song, Mr Butler; pianoforte solo, Miss Gardner; recitation, Mr A. McCarthy; song, Mr H. Prowse; song, Mr Gibbs; recitation. Mr Bell: song, Mr Mcßride. Misses U. Crisp. J. Parfitt and E. Marshall and Mr H. Prowse assisted at the piano.