RAILWAY BENEFIT SOCIETY

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1359, 22 June 1878, Page 2

RAILWAY BENEFIT SOCIETY

On Thursday evening the committee of the above society held (heir first fortnightly meeting at the accountant’s office, Christchurch. Mr McKenna, Y.C., station master, Kaiapoi, presided, and there wore also present Messrs Spencer, Heaton, McSherry, McGarva, Dickenson, Knight, Fowke, and Frame, and the secretary, Mr Yalpy. The chairman in his opening address spoke very confidently of the success of the movement, and predicted that before the Ist of July the members would be numbered by the thousand.

The form of declaration of eligibility was discussed, and it was resolved that it should be optional for a employe who was married when making application to strike out the words “ wife” or “ family,” should the declaration not be true in the case of either of the latter. It was resolved that an account be at once opened at the Post Office Savings Bank for the first six months ending 31st December, 1878.

It was agreed also that in case of any member leaving the service, he be allowed to remain in the society so long as he continues to pay his subscriptions. After the first July all members intending to join the society must obtain their own doctor’s certificate for the first six months, after which time they are at liberty to employ the society’s doctor at the expense of the society. With regard to casual hands it was determined that a man who had been upon the works for six months shall be eligible for membership provided he be in a fit state to sign the declaration. The secretary was instructed to write to the Commissioner relative to the immediate erection of a suitable building, not only for committee and general meetings, but for library, band practice, and entertainments. The appointments of doctor and chemist were postponed, but a very general opinion was expressed that when a doctor was appointed for the society he should nominate his representative in outlying districts, where it would be impossible to obtain his services within a reasonable period. In answer to numerous correspondents it was stated that prior to Ist July all present employes, irrespective of age, would be allowed to join without payment of entrance fee, provided that they did not perjure themselves in signing the declaration of eligibility, and that the attesting witness would be responsible for such signature. The meeting then adjourned.