RAILWAY CLUBROOM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 89

RAILWAY CLUBROOM.

OFFICIAL OPENING.

With a full realisation of the truth that a convenient clubroom would be a potent factor in the welfare of its workers, the Railway Department has fitted up portion of the old goods shed, rendered vacant by the remodelling of the station buildings, as a meeting-place for the various societies in connection with the railway service m Dunedin district. This room is admirably suited for its purpose ; it is capacious, clean, central, has conveniences in the shape of boiling apparatus' and roomy cupboards for social activity, and a smaller room where committee meetings may be held. The societies which will find it of particular use are the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Railway Officers' Institute, the Railway Sick Benefit Society, and the Railway Fire Brigade. In addition to accommodating the ordinary routine business of these societies, the hall will be available for any socials. The first meeting in the hall was held on the 20th, when a representative partnering of all the members of the different-sooieties was held for the purpose of formally opening the room in a fitting manner. Mr D. Wallace (goods egent) presided, and, being commissioned by the Railway Department to control the hall, formally granted its use- to the societies concerned. About six or seven yeara ago the department had been approached with a view to the granting of some such" room, and after one scheme after another had fallen through they had by patiently waiting earned their present site, and could say without fear of contradiction that they now had provision equal to, if not better than, anything of its kind in New Zealand. Mr Geo. Matthewson (secretary of- the Railway Officers' Institute) recorded his appreciation of the action of the- department, and moved that a formal resolution of thanks b© forwarded to the general manager as "follows: — "That this meeting, representative of the railway servants - of Durredin. heartily tenders its sincere thanks to the general manager of the New Zealand Railway Department for generously providing such a commodious and well-furnished olubroom for members of the railway service, and assures him ihat his care for the social welfare of_the men is greatly appreciated, and that "the room will be of great benefit to the members of the societies concerned." Mr Hanrahan (secretary of the Otago Branch of the " Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants) seconded** the > motion, and other speakers in similar vein were. Mr Pearson (on behalf of the Railway Fire Brigade), Mr Wilson (secretary of the Railway Benefit Society), and Mr John Matthewson (vice-president of the Railway Benefit Society).

The formality of the evening over, restraint was fhrown aside and an extremely pleasant game of cards entered upon. At, intervals musical items -were rendered and light refreshments partaken of.