CYCLE & MOTOR TRADES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1870, 2 October 1913, Page 10

CYCLE & MOTOR TRADES.

ANNUAL DINNER. The first annual dinner of the Wellington Cycle and Motor Trades was held at Godber's rooms, Cuba. Street, last niglit, and about 120 were present. Among the guests present were: Messrs. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., and several city councillors. Apologies for absence were received from the Hon. W. F. Massey, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, .and the Hon. H. D. Bell, The initial toast, "Tho Trade," was proposed by Councillor Fuller. The speaker prefaced his remarks by stating that it waß ail honour to- propose the toast of tlio trade at. the first annual dinner. He then went on to refer to tho progress of the motor trade and' its future.

Mr. H. Rogers! responded'. He congratulated tho committee that had organised the dinner. Such gatherings were certainly beneficial to the trades concerned.

The toast of "Parliament," proposed by Mi\ J. B. Brinsdon, was responded to by Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P. Mr. Fisher remarked on the extraordinary growth of the motor industry in New Zealand, and quoted figures in connection with it. For the quarter ending March 31, 1913. stated Mr. Fisher, the bodies of cars imported numbered 674, and were valued at £41,870. For the year ending March 31, 2331 bodies had heen brought into tho country, and were valued at £142,563. Chassis numbering 707 and worth £13,753 had 1 been imported for tlio quarter ending March 31, and, for tho year; ending on tho same date, 2423 chassis had been imported, valued at £437,922. As showin" tho comparative value of the imports in this direction for tho past three rears, Mr. Fisher quoted the following figures: —1910 —bodies 72G, chassis 772; 1911—bodies 1473, chassis 1524; 1912— bodies 22()5, chassis 2340. These figures, stated the speaker-clearly showed the extraordinary recent development in tho motor trade. Other toasts were: "Jno Citv Council," proposed by Mr. L. A. Edwards, and responded to by Councillor Fletcher; "The Ladies," proposed by Mr. A. E. Holloway, and responded to by Mr. W. Johnston; and "Tho Chair," proposed by Mr. -T. E. James. Tho toast list was interspersed with musical items contributed to by the following:— Messrs. H. Richards, A. G. Evans, H. Wright, D. J. Evans, A. Whinaiu, C. F. Hickniott, and 1\ The committee which organised the function was as follows:— Messrs. T. E. James, 0. Bush, E. Sinio, E. Wnlsb, and B. J. Atkinson (lion. Eccrctarj)..