AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINERS, &c.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3489, 17 June 1879, Page 3

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINERS, &c.

\ V '■<■■■■ I'TA>lH''l '■■ • lie Chris'tqliurch . branch ,of the-, above I Society, celebrated their fifth annual anniversary by a banquet; at the Club Houbb, Prince of Wales Hotel, on Friday, June IS. : The repast was served in host Fox's very best style, the tables being loaded with delicacies, to which ample justice was done. The chafr was filled by the President of the branch, Bro W, B. Boaz, Bro J. A. Biltcliff, Beferee of the branch occupying the .', Vice-chair. After. the usual loyal arid patriotic toasts had been duly honoured, the Chairman proposed the "Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Ac.," coupled with the name of. Bro J^.A. Biltcliff, Beferee of the ,b ra n C h. Bro ; Biltcliff responded in a ,very neat speech, congratulating the branch on the progress it had made since its commencement five years ago, and concluded by calling on the Secretary, Bro J. Fraßer, to give some statistics of the Society. The Secretary' Btated the present number of lof the Society to be 46,000 members, with an accumulated fund" afc their disposal of about

6280,000. He. also t stated the amount exiwnded on th^ various benefits connected with ;hS Society "to be" about £110,000 iii "one rear, tho principal being, donation, sick, luperannuation, accident, benevolent, and

lebntin'gent. With' respeot to the Christchurch branch, it was in a very flourishing condition, having started' with 11 members. It now numbered about 60 members, with the jsum of £600 at their disposal. Several other 'toasts -were proposed and duly honoured, among them boing: the Christchurch Fire Brigade, responded to by Bro J. Frascr, and the .Railway Firo Brigade, responded to by tßro iI/'M'ifarlane.. Several capital songs -were •sungjby ; Bros-Derry, ; Lillie, Beattie, Houston tßiltcliff, and Boaz, the company separating at |l o'clock a.m.j- having apehb a thoroughly enHoyable .evening. '■■