CITY LETTER-CARRIERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 592, 21 August 1909, Page 3

CITY LETTER-CARRIERS.

THE.-'ANNUALi^piNNER, ; SOME FINDLAY.' ■ The annual -dinner/ held under .the auspices of the Wellington lotter-carriers last night, was presided over by Mr. J. Johnston (officer in charge of the Department), and was num-erously-attended, those present including the Hon. Dr. Findlay ''(Acting-Postmaeter-Gene-ral), tho Mayor (Dr. Newman), several members of Parliament, snd'various heads in tho Post and Telegraph. Department. ■■ In proposing the toast of "The Government and the Postmaster-Gen.eral,-" Mr, ~11., B.; Morris (Inspector of; Savinge.Banks), said that the Postmaster-General (Sit, Joseph. Ward) had. done'more.towards the betterment of the Postal Department from- every point of view than any pf his predecessors. In tho event of Sir Joseph , relinquishing the position, tho officers would.be only too delighted if the Eton. Dr. Findlay wero selected as hie successor. (Applause.) In conclusion, Mr. Morris emphasised the, fact that although tho officers knew no'politics, 'they were over loyal ,to the party .at'-'the -wickets." : ■ '-, The Hon. Dr. Findlay, iu reply, said, that he was'delighted to be , presont'at the gathering. Governments were, he remarked,-good; bad, or indifferent, according to the ..standpoint of the observer.-: The day was long past when a Government was and should be anything else than • the careful, intelligent servant of the'public. Tho, loyalty of the. officers of' the .Department had never been questioned. With' reference to tho present PostmasterrGenoraly. it was well known that Sir JoseplvWardiwas, admired by all classes of the ■people:" The, present Government had been at "the wickets" for, a long term, .but it was. not for him-to discuss on that occasion whether their "score" \was as .large as it should be. What ho could say, however, ivas that at least-some of the "batsmen" oh their side had gained records which anyone on any side of politics would bo; pleased to have' secured.' Dr. Findlay, declared that, there ivas 'to • Department, which , lad & finer record in point of' efficiency, rapid growih,' and of 'service..to. the. public; than the Post. and Telegraph ;■■ Department. He went on to say that ■ probably no part of the. Department colled for more '_ patience, honesty, and diligence than that -which; controlled- the delivery- of; mail' matter.' Last year the officials here deliveredpyertenmillion, articles, which: wai; he'considered, -a majestic "work! ■" .'- 1 '..- - -"Vf.-- ' ■•:-',-.':,. ■.;.,.' ; Tbo toast ;of ;"Parliament , ," which- was given by Mr.!' G.; B. DaU (Inspector of Post Offices), was' responded, to, first'tof ; all, v by. Mr. v Wright, M;P.,; who expressed)tfio opinion that -the present Parliament/ whichi contained a numbw of excellent debaters, sHould accomplish'good work. Mr". M'Laren, ,M.P.,; and Mr. Ltike, M.Pi, also' replied. • ' ■ . Tho' chairman,"in proposing the toast of I'Tho Post and Telegraph Department," welcomed Mn Robeiisoii,- Secretary.'to the Department (on belfcdf: .ofVthe ; letter-carriers),:, on his return from\hietrip to tho.'Homeland, arid congratulated Mr. J, K. Logan,'l.S.O.,, Superintendent of' Electric on the honour which-had recently been, conferred on him! ■'.-' Mr.- Johnston proceeded -to.eay., thai the officers as, a whole, were quite contented., This was duo to th<j classification of.the officials, • who, would' under tihe.« Bcheme . reach a highly ''satisfactory:, salary,* in. ,a. shortei" period■ than before,? i;,-\ <;.' ~; ■'■: '■•''.■:■:'■'■ ■).■ Other toasts honoured were as follow:— "The City of WeUinfjtohi" proposed by: Mr.' E, C. Gannaway (assistant postmaster), and responded vto by the Mayor (Dr. NWmau)'; "Chief Post Office;" proposed by Mr;: W.: D. Jenkins, and responded _to' by Mr. Alexander; ,"The'Lettcr.-carriers'f Social Club,"proposed ,by Mr. :-F. : V.- Waters,-and .responded to by. Mr.';R. K. Couper' (club seoretary); '/The Ladies," and "Tho Press;'.' '•': t Quite anumber'of musical"'items, which 'were.highly appreciated,"were given during, the' evening, .the iperfonners being Messrs. J. M'Lean.C. A.;Nei]son i " , S.:olancy I ,F. V. Waters', J. Duncan, J. Underwood, W. Gold- , ing. H; Hatchnrd,"F. Brown, S.; Platt, and J. Duncan, whilst-Mr. ; Neilson ako presided o att-ihe piano. ■' ; ■ -vr-" -H'if • -=i?";'l"■ 1 -i , ----■:•■■.