RAILWAY SERVANTS' SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11677, 10 February 1902, Page 3

RAILWAY SERVANTS' SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the members of the Timaru branch ot the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was neid at the railway station on Saturday afternoon, Mr W. S. Cooper being in the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The secretary, Mr C. E. Holmes, read his annual report, which showed a substantial increase both financially and numerically during the year just closed. The following officers were elected : Mr J. Lowrie, president; Mr J. Chambers, vice-president; Mr J. Hall, treasurer; Mr W. Scott, trustee; Mr C. E. Holmes, secretary ; Mr H. Robertson, check steward; the committee —Messrs Cooper, McCurdie, Sherlock, Robertson, Adkins, Wall, Walker, Burns, McCullough, Miller and Drummond.

A vote of thanks and a diploma were granted, to the retiring presidert, Mr W. S. Cooper, for his past services. Opportunity was taken to make two presentations at the meeting. Mr Cooper, the retiring president, on behalf of the members, presented-Mr C. E. Holmes with a handsome travelling bag, with the following inscription upon a silver plate:—"Presented to C. E.' Holmes as a mark ol esteem from the Timaru members of the A.S.R.S., 9/2/02." Mr Cooper remarking that their secretary, Mr Holmes,' had proved himself both capable and obliging to all members of the society; he further handed him a value letter containing a tangible amount. Mr H. Robertson endorsed the previous speaker's remarks, and stated that had noticed on many occasions Mr Holmes willingness at all times to render ready and cheerful assistance to members requiring help or adyice, and said he bad no doubu the present success of the Timaru branch was greatly due to Mr. Holmes efforts. Mr Holmes, in reply, thanked the donors and the meeting for tbeir handsome gifts, remarking that the travelling bag was extremely fitting at present, as he would need it to attend the conference at Invercargill, whither he intended proceeding to represent the Timaru railway men as their delegate. The expressions of appreciation, confidence and esteem he had received from the Timaru men made it more a labour of love to do his utmost on their behalf. Mr J. Williams, ganger, Timaru, then presented Mr C. who is being transferred to Auckland district, with a neat Gladstone travelling portmanteau, stating that Mr Chapman was a good platelayer and a willing hand, and he expressed the hope that he would have equal success in his new abode, and that his good wife would retrain renewed health, the cause of his departure from Timaru. Mr W. Wall briefly endorsed these Temarks, and added that a better work-mate could not be wished for. Mr Chapman feelingly thanked one and all for their handsome gift, which" would ever remind him of the many pleasant days spent in Timaru, concluding bv extending a hearty invitation to any who might journey when on holiday leave up north to accept of his - hospitality at his new abode. - Ten new members w«re elected. An appreciative vote of thanks was passed to the stationmaster, Mr Marcus, for granting the privilege of allowing the use of a room in the station for the holding of meetinGS throughout the year. It was also resolved to endeavour to obtain thp meeting of the conference to be held at Timaru. , The cust-cmary vote of thanks to the chairman brought one of the most enthxisiastic of meetings to a close.