INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2587, 23 August 1909, Page 4

INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERS.

A SOCIAL GATHERING.

The Gisborne branch of the Australasian Institute of Marine Engineers met together for a social evening in Clare’s buildings on Friday night. Mr. K. Humphreys, A.1.M.E., occupied the chair. Apologies were read from His worship the Mayor, Messrs A. H. Hodges, A.1.M.E., J. R. Jones, A.1.M.E., j. J. Barry, and Geo. Humphreys. The Chairman in his opening remarks referred to the progress of the Institute in New Zealand, stating that the Wellington branch had a membership of over 700. The following toast list was gone through: "The King,” proposed by the chairman, and drunk with musical honors; “A.1.M.E.,” proposed by Mr. Miller, engineer of the s.s. Squall, and responded to by Messrs Johnston and uite; “Th» Engineering Profession,” proposed by Mr. Johnston, and responded to by Mr. Jas. Brown, who, during che course of his speech, gave some interesting reminiscences of early days of engineering in New Zealand, and spoke of the rapid strides mechanical engineering had made during the last 40 years. "The Mercantile Marine,” proposed by Mr. Jas. Brown, and responded to by Captains Ross and Benton, and Engineers White and Miller (s.s. Squall, who in their remarks referred to the good feeling which existed between the engine rooms and deck of ie G.S.S. Company of New Zealand, it being the opinion of those present that the Union Company was the finest managed company in the world; "The Freezing Industry,” proposed by Mr. K. Humphreys, and responded to by Mr R. Lindsay (Gisborne Sheepfarmers) and Mr. Dobson (Nelson Bros.) ; "Kindred Trades,” proposed by Mr. Preddy, and responded to by Mr. Jas. Allan (F. Hall and Sons); "The Waratah —a safe return of the overdue steamer Waratah,” proposed by Mr. Allan, who stated that should the steamer reach port it would be through the efforts of the commander and the engineers. This toast was drunk with a .great amount of feeling. The healths of the chairman and Mr. Sharpies, who ably presided at the piano, were also drunk. During the evening the following gave songs and recitations: Messrs Lindsay. A. Hogg, Sharpies, C. Long, Jas. Allan, Milller, 'Williamson, McLean, Watson, Church, and A. Long. With the singing of "Auld Lang Syne” a pleasant evening was brought to a close.