BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18363, 22 April 1925, Page 11

BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION.

1 ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Builders' Association -was held last night, Mr J. W. Graham presiding over a very large attendance. The meeting was held in the Association's ■ new building in Gloucester street. The top floor was used for the occasion, and those present congratulated the Association on their fine acquisition, and also the contractor, Mr N. McGillivrav. The annual report and balance-sheet stated that there had beou a very satisfactory iuercase in membership during the year, from 110 to 134, and the number of bona-fide builders in the city outside the ranks of the Association was becoming more limited. Another pleasing feature had been the increase iu the number of country members. Although the balance-sheet showed a debt of £154, as'against a credit of £42 18s at the beginning of last year, this could be accounted for by the loss of rents during the erection of the building which the Association was now occupying. There were also payments of interest which had to be met from the general account, and not from the building account. The subscriptions for the year were £S6S, a record due to the loyal support of members. Many matters of importance had been dealt with during the . past twelve months. These included conditions of contract, the Apprentices Act, scaffolding regulations, standardisation of buildiug timber, by-laws, discounts, technical education, etc. A number of disputes between members and their clients had been referred to the committee, for con ' sideration during the year, and satisfactory arrangements arrived at. It was gratifying to know £hat the new general conditions of contract were now in use. ' The Federation Executive was ,to be commended on their prompt action in appealing to Sir Frederick Chapman to reconsider his first decision on Clause 9, and in finally obtaining a decision satisfactory, to all parties. During the year the Apprentices Act and its regulations, had been carefully considered, and efforts made to carry them out in the branches of the trade which they were responsible for. A committee in the carpentry trado had been registered, the Association's representatives being Messrs W. H. Winsor, R. E. Nightingale, G. H. Bull,' and J. W. Graham. A complete agreement was arrived at by this committee, and the award made by the' Arbitration Court confirmed the agreement. A separate, committee in the bricklaying trade had been registered, Messrs Winsor, Bull, and Graham being the Association's representatives. The delegates, however, reported that no agreement could bo reached by this committee. Messrs R. Jamieson and J. A. Mander represented the Association as honorary examiners in the carpentry classes at the Technical College, and reported very favourably on the improved standard of the work exhibited, and also on the very satisfactory number of apprentices who attend the classed. The Association commended the value of the Christchurch Technical College to the mutual advantage of apprentices and employers in the building trade. The contract for the new building was almost completed, and through the courtesy of the contractor, Mr IST. McGillivray, they were'able to hold the annual meeting in-rooms which they wore proud to call their own. The handsome front elovation was a great credit to the architect, Mr Hart. The building provided mosfci suitable, modern, and ■ fireproof suites of offices in addition ; to providing' for the requirements of the Association for many; years tor come. Half of the building had been leased for long terms at'satisfactory rates, and indicatod that the original estimates of the Building Committee were quite sound. Debentures to the amount of £SOOO were now in course, of prcpara-. tion, and the secretary would. have these ready for members almost at once. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. W. Graham; vice-president, Messrs G. L. Bull and N. Harrison; hon. treasurer, Mr H, Pearce; secretary, Mr W. H. Wirisor; committee, Messrs N. McGillivray, H..Hinkey, J. W. Francis, It. L. Scott, R. Jamieson, G. Simpson, and H. Rosendale. Smoke Concert. At the conclusion of the business a smoke-concert was held. Mr J. W. Graham, in responding to the toast of "The Builders' Association," stated that they regarded the building trade as the second most important industry in the Dominion.' Ho dwelt on the progress of the Association, and outlined what had been done in connexion with the apprentices question. Speaking on this' subject, he stressed the importance of training apprentices, and urged members to give that matter full consideration. Mr W. H. Winsor, in proposing the toast of "The Founders of the. Association," gave an interesting resume, of the .history of the Association, which had been formed in. Christchnrch in 1890. He stated that he had at' his disposal the minutes 'of the meetings held then, and ■ these interesting documents he proceeded to read to those present. The following was the toast list:— "The King," proposed by the chairman; "Christchurch Builders' Association," proposed by Mr W. C-. Large,- and responded to by Mr J. W. Graham; "The Merchants," proposed by Mr H. Pearce, and responded to by the various merchants present; "Tho Founders of the Association," proposed by Mr W. H. Winsor, nad responded to by Messrs J. Tait, T. W. Reese, W. Jacques, and D. Reese; "The Architects," proposed by Mr W. Williamson, and re sponded to by the architects present; "The Allied Trades," proposed by Mr G. L. Bull, and responded to by Mr T. Andrews and representatives of the Association; "Local Bodies," proposed by Mr R. L. Scott and responded to by Mr J. S. Neville and Mr R. Galbraith; "The Ladies," proposed by Mr H. Hinkey, and responded to by Mr R. Jamieson; "The Press," proposed by Mr J. W. Francis; "The Entertainers," proposed by Mr R. E. Jfightingale' ————