SUMNER BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20168, 21 February 1931, Page 8

SUMNER BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.

SMOKE CONCERT AT SUMNER. The annual smoke concert of th<j Sumner Business Men's Association was held, in the: Sumner Tearooms last Thursday evening, when the president, Mr J. H. Thomas, presided/ over a good attendance., Representatives from various sports and other bodies were present; and included Messrs J. E. Tait and P. H. R. Neville (Borough Council), Douglas Smith (Burgesses' Association), Thos. fcfewburgh (Bowling Club), H. McCaskell, (Cycling Club), P. Mathews (Athletic Club), arid many other visitors. : The '.chairman < welcomed the visitors and expressed the hope that out of such (unctions deeper relationships l -and mutual benefit would result. The Asbosiation in four yqars had' justified its existence and - had remained entirely non-political. It had instituted'several reforms *which in ' the "future Would "relound to the credit of the'borough. The toast of the "Sumner Borough DoUncil" was proposed' by Mr Douglas 3mith." He said that all 1 local bodies lad a thankless task. Critics were nany and words of approval were few, md residents Bhould feel grateful v t'o ;hose who did the work in the. interests >f < the borough. s In,reply Mr P. H. B. Neville said hafr he' was not officially representing he Council, but lie felt quite capable of Ldag co, A» a nteiabeir gf th# £oni£il

he could assure" those present that it was the Council's desire to place Sum.-, ner on the map. All kinds of disfculties and unpleasantness were encountered, but to be a councillor was worth the criticism. Each member did, his best according to his ability, and work was only carried out after receiving the greatest consideration. He could say quite definitely that during the life of the present. Council no, less than £ 4000 extra had be£n spent in Sumner and Eedcliffs. That sum had not . been added to the rates. Had this, not been, spent in Sumner and Bedcliffs. some of the local bodies would havq ■ felt the effects. He < wished to make Sumnepa modern, up-to-date watering place. . The toast of "Kindred Associations" was proposed by Mr F. J. Adcock, who said that in any community all local bodies constituted a proportion of the assets of the borough. It had been said that there ■ were: too many in the borough, but each l«ad .distinct work to do, and was therfl* fore * valuable. He referred ,to the sectional jealousy in the borough, antisaid that one of the objects of the Association was to bring, everybody ton, gether. Replies were made by Messrs Jv IS- . Tait (Forensic CKib). T. Newburgh (Bowling Club), 'D. Smith' (Burgesses' Association), C E. Merry (Cricket Club), E. T. Chitty (Rugby Club), H. , McCaskell (Cycling Club), and - G- • Murray (Athletic Club).. The toast of: the • "Sumner Business < Men's Association" was proposed by Mr T- Nowburgh. He said that at the present time there was every necessity for bodies such as the Sumner Business ".Men's Association and they should feel thankful that duringpresent conditions they could gather together in good fellowship. There Was, a large number ,of,residents who

did not' support the local, tradespeople who in turn must always give "value. His experience was that residents were givfen a fair deal. In his opinion the residents and the local business men did > not know each other well enough, and functions of thfc kind filled thatjbreach. -, 1 ' In reply, Mr F. J. Adcocksaidthat the Business Men's Association' was now a force in the borough. At the inception of the Association the .business men' were taken to task, and they had attempted to move forward ever .since. If the population increasedthe business men would serve the residents. If there were any > among them who were not giving satisfaction, they would' Be dealt with by the Association. Other toasts honoured were '"The, Artists" "and "The Press." Appreciable, itenus were given by :Messrs Laurenson. Lamb,. Davis,, Moran, and Dabonrn, with Mr Bussell as pianist. i While,, the clotheß received, for ,th 3 Earthquake Belief Fund 'at the Wellington Town \ Hall were being sorted and, classified in the gallery of the Concert' Chamber,, a day or two ago, a quantity being on the floor outside as .well, the wife of the custodian placed her. bagwash outside her door ■to be low forf-collection. - An hour or so later it had disappeared, except "for • the empty bag, having been taken .in aa a contribution the relief- fund. One or two articles were 'recovered" in the Concert Chamber,, but portion of the .contents of the- bag had been distributed to the refugees. > - A - shilling advertisement .in the classified section o£ Thb Pbess will sell ydur goods. Try iti 12 .words I?, three insertions 2s 6d, ~6