ENGINE DRIVERS' AND FIRE MEN'S ASSOCIATION. Annual Dinner. (From the Auckland Star.") May 17.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 51, 24 May 1884, Page 3

ENGINE DRIVERS' AND FIRE MEN'S ASSOCIATION. Annual Dinner. (From the Auckland Star.") May 17.

The annual dinner of the above Association took place at the Commercial Dining-rooms, Queen-street, last evening. There were about 40 membors present, and amongst the guests we noticed Kir G. M. O'Rorke, M. H. X., Mr lfobbs, M.H.R., Major Harris, M.H.R., Mr F. J. Moss, M.'FLR., Mr Hudson and Mr Coom, of the Railway Department, etc. After ample justico had been done to the good things provided by Host Robson, Sir G. M. O'Rokkk announced that he had been pressed to preside, and this he did with much pleasure. The vice-chair was taken by Mr Keat, President of the Society. Before proceeding to the toasts, the Chairman read a number of apologies from gentlemen who had been invited, but were unable to be present. Amongst these were the Hon. E. Mitchelson, His Worship the Mayor, Messrs S. T. George and T. Peacock, M.H.R.'s, G. VV. Griflin, American Consul, etc. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had beon duly honoured, The Chairman proposed the " Health of His Excellency the Governor " in felicitous teims, saying he was undoubtedly the right man in the right place, and referring to the kindly intei'est he had taken in the aftah's of the colony. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. The Vrvk-Chaihman gave "The House of Representatives." The Chyikman, in responding, desired to convey to them, on behalf of the Hou.se of Representatives, their thanks ; also the thanks of the members present and his own thanks for the compliment they had paid them in inviting them to be present at this gathering, and proposing their health. He thought there weie few features of colonial life moie gratifying than the freedom of intercourse between all classes of the community. Those Mho were born at home Mould recollect the gre-.it gulf uhich existed between elates, but here that gulf was passed over, and it was open to all to pass from grade to grade, and to an old colonist like himself there was nothing more gratifying than to see people rise. The great boast of the House of Repiesentatives was that they Mere the representatives of the people —vo.i'pnjntlt ; and those who had not the desire or skill to set their sails to watch the favoui ing breezes were not true colonists. What made them come to the colony? Was it not with the intention of bettering themselves? And c* r ery man who fell short of that idea fell &hoit of being a tiuo colonist. Else what advantage to him was it to brave the dangers of the deep and the struggles and haidships of early colonial life ? In coining to the colony, they could not expect the wealth of Crcusus, or to have a Pactolns river of gold running past their door* 1 , but a competency mas within the reach of all. He referred to the feeling of independence experienced by the man who o\\ ned a house and piece of ground of hiss own. Coolness and corn-age were qualities required by men of their avocations, and such qualities were the qualities that Ment to make successful colonists. Mr Moss, in responding, referred to the strict laws of dcmai cation that separated class from class in the mother country, and the total absence of these class distinctions here. The House of Repiesentativos was a representative- body ; it lepresonted all classes of men and all kinds of ideas. That was its glory, and that alone would keep it in sympathy mHIi the people of the colony. The proposal to dcpiive the public service r>f the suffrage would destioy that boast. In his opinion a man without a vote was only half a man. lie mentioned that he had" it on good authoiily that a powerful English syndicate had been formed for the purpose of pm chasing the railways in the colony. Mr Honks in responding, expressed a hope that the guards and other employees of the railway Mould either join Mith this Society or form an association of their omii. Major Harms also responded, and in doing so mentioned that last session the names of members had been pricked ofl on a card, and it was found that a majority were in favour of depriving the Public Service of the suffrage. Mr Elliott proposed the toast, "Success to the Engine-drivers' and Firemen's Association," and pointed out that the Society had operated for good. Mr Keat briefly responded, and called on Mr Whitburn, Secretary, to read the annual report. It shoM'ed that the Society had 44 members ; that during the past year the receipts had been £27 3s Gd, and the expenditure £17 Is 4d, leaving a balanco of £10 2s 2d in hand. Other toasts followed, including " Our Guests," proposed by Mr Coutts and responded to by Mr Hudson; "The Press," "The Chairman " (proposed by Mr Hislop and drank with musical honours), and "Our Host." During the course of the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Keat, Nightingale, Graham, and others. A highly enjoyable gathering Mas brought to a close at midnight.