SOCIAL LIFE IN THE RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 9 April 1912, Page 6

SOCIAL LIFE IN THE RAILWAY

OPENING THE NEW HALL

The fraternal gathering of railway men, held on Saturday evening, large and enjoyable as it was, is more important still as it marked an epoch in the history of railway life in Wanganui. It was then that th» new social hall was declared open, and the wish was generally expressed that the evening's fut>ctior> might be tho forerunner of many similar ones. The hall is admittedly an ideal one for its purpose. The floor is of dancing texture, and the furniture of the room (100 chairs and forms) provides seating accommodation for 150. There is also a ladies' room and a library. In the latter place there is already the nucleus of a fine collection of books, 300 choice volumes having been obtained from the loco.raen. The hall is also provided with a movable stage. The building and the furniture were supplied by the Department for the use of tho A.S.R.S., the engine-drivers, Firemen's and Cleaners' Association, and the Railway Officers' Institute. For the proceedings on Saturday night, which took the form of a smoke concert, the accommodation of the hall was taxed to its utmost. Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., presided, and supporting hiim Were His Worship the Mayor (Mr! E. N. Liffiton) and Mr. J. E. Armstrong (District Traffic Manager). A number of apologies for nonattendance were received, including those from the Hon. Myers (Minister of Railways), Messrs. W. T. Wilson (President of the A.S.R.S.), and T. Romayne (General Manager of the X.Z. Railways).

Mr. Veitch said tho building was the outcome- of n visit by a deputation to the Hon. Millar, then Minister for Railways, who had agreed to give them a social hall to accommodate 100. Mr. Veitch said he had seen many .similar buildings, but could truthfully say that he had never known one that possessed a more comfortable interior. He referred briefly to the good feeling that had always existed between all grades* of the service in Wanganui, it being recognised that both officers and rank and file were in sympathy with one another. The hall would be of great use to enable railwaymen to meet together, and, if possible, to increase that feelinc of good-felfowshin which already existed so strongly. The thanks of oil were duo to those who had laboured so hard to brine the hall to such a comfortable condition; and particularly to Messrs. Hoskiu and .Tones, to whom unstinted kudos was due. Mr. Veitch concluded by declaring the building officially open. After the usual loyal toast, Mr. Rcogh proposed "The Parliament of NewZealand/ Mr. Veitch responding. "The Management of the Rnilv/nv Service was proposed by Mr. S. .1. Barry, and responded to by Messrs. J. E. Armstrong and F. J. Jones.

In proposing "Railway Societies," Mr. J. T. Hogan said he had been behind the scenes last year, and the way the railway-men had put their case before Parliament was a credit to them. Were it not for th* Tailway societies, the employees would be treated as though they were a rabble. Messrs. G. Lee, T. Carlyle, and C. P. Ryan replied. Other toasts were:—"His Worship the Mayor," proposed by Mr. Denhehy, and replied to by Mr. Liffiton, who related interesting reminiscences of Wanganui's early days; " The Social Hall Committee," proposed by Mr. McKay, and responded to by Messrs. Houston and Dennehy; "The Press," proposed, by Mr. J. Hoskin, and acknowledged by representatives; and "The President," proposed by Mr. J. Swan, and responded to by Mr. Veitch.

During the evening a presentation of a handsome clock was made to M»* G. W. Goldsack, ex-railway guard.

A most enjoyable function, which was interspersed with musical items, was brought to a conclusion by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."