298
ENGINEER & SHIPBUILDERS.
The annual dinner last night of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders recalls the fact that this body has a long and worthy history. In the records we find it reported that a crowded meeting of subscribers to the Institution was held at No. 16 Praya Central, on December 2, 1890, under the presidency of Mr. David Gillies (Chairman of the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company) and the present body was formed. There was, however, an earlier association, known as the Hongkong Engineers Institute, whose rules were adapted for use by the new society, but of whose history we have no details.
At the Institution's inaugural meeting in 1890 much of the history of its inception was given by Mr. H. W. Walter, when he read the report of the Committee which had been formed as follows:-
About March that year (1890) several engineers in the port met and discussed the advisability of forming an Engineer's Association in Hongkong, and at their request Messrs. Carmichael and Kew proceeded with certain preliminaries, so far as to obtaining by circular an opinion on the subject from the larger body of engineers ashore and afloat. Their opinion was so favourable to the project that after a time a Provisional Committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. Aitken, Goundwater, Main, Crocker, Bain, and Walker to act with the promoters in the matter and proceed with the formation of the body as proposed. This Committee, however, being considered somewhat informal, after a lapse of time the members of the Provisional Committee decided to call a general meeting of subscribers and requested the formation of a properly constituted committee to be entrusted with the business of forming the Institute and to engage the necessary rooms and so forth. At this meeting held on October 3 at the Victoria Hotel, an Organising Committee was elected which Committee at their several meetings held from time to time at the office of the Hon. Secretary drew up the set of rules now submitted and also negotiated for the rooms, in which the meeting was being held, as well as approached several gentlemen connected with the profession for the positions of President and Vice-Presidents.
Mr. David Gillies had accepted the post of President and Messrs. James Wotton R.N., and George Pewbles Government Surveyor also consenting to act as Vice-Presidents.
Throughout the deliberations of the Organizing Committee the securing of suitable premises had been a matter of very great concern and in arranging for the present premises the Committee felt that some acknowledgment was due to Messrs. Carmichael and Co., for an offer in connection with their new establishment portion of which they offered to let at a very moderate rental. The Committee, however, considered that all the interests would be best served by the selection of the Praya Central premises - although the rental, altogether, was some $40 per month more - especially when the extent of accommodation appointments, and so forth were properly looked into.
Regarding rules, the work connected with this part of their duty the Committee had found considerably lightened by the assistance and guidance obtained from the rules of similar bodies, particularly the pioneer Institute, the Shanghai Marine Engineers Institute and other associations, not omitting the rules existing of the late Hongkong Engineers' Institute " of which a few present may have a recollection. The rules now submitted were thought to be both comprehensive and just to a body connected with marine
298
ENGINEER & SHIBUILDERS.
The annual dinner last night of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders recalls the fact that this body has a long and worthy history. In the records we find it reported that a crow- ded meeting of subscribers to the Institution was held at No. 16 Praya Central, on December 2, 1890, under the presidency of Mr. David Gilles Chairman of the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company ) and the present body was formed. There was, however, an earlier association, known as the Hongkong Engineers Institute, whose rules were adapted for use by the new society, but of whose his- tory we have no details.
At the Institution's inaugural meeting in 1890 much of the history of its inception was given by Mr. H. W. Walter, when he read the report of theCommittee which had been formed as follows:-
About March that year (1890) several engineers in the port met and discussed the advisability of forming an Engineer's Association in Hongkong, and at their request Messrs. Carmichael and Kew proceeded with certain preliminaries, so far as to ob- taining by circular an opinion on the subject from the larger body of engineers ashore and afloat. Their opinion was so favou rable to the project that after a time a Provisional Committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. Aitken Goundwater, Main, Crocker, Bain and Walker to act with the promoters in the matter and pro- ceed with the formation of the body as proposed. This Committee however, being considered somewhat informal, after a lapse of time the members of the Provisional Committee decided to call a general meeting of subscribers and requested the formation of a properly constituted committee to be netrusted with the busi- ness of forming the Institute and to engage the necessary rooms and sor forth. At this meeting held on October 3 at the Victo ria Hotel, an Organising Committee was elected which Committee at their several meetings held from time to time at the office of the Hon. Secretary drew up the set of rules now submitted and also negotiated for the rooms, in which the meeting washg eing held, as well as approachable several gentlemen connected with the profession for the positions of President and Vice-Presidents.
Mr. David Gilles had accepted the post of President and Messrs. James Wotton R.N., and George Pewbles Government Surveyor also consenting to act as Vice-Presidents.
Throught out the deliberations of the organizing Committee the securing of suitable premises had been a matter of very greaat concern and in a rranging for the present premises the Committee felt that some acknowledgment was due to Messrs. Carmichael and Co., for an offer in connection with their new establishement portion of which they offered to let at a very moderate rental. The Committee however, considered that all the interests would be best served by the selection of the Praya Central premises - although the rental, algogether, was some $40 per month more- especially when the extent of accommodation appointments, and so forth were properly looked into.
Regarding rules, the work connected with this part of their duty the Committee had found considerably lightened by the assis- tance and guidance obtained from the rules of similar" bodies, particularly the pioneer Institute, the Shanghai Marine Engineers Insitute and other associations, not omitting the rules existing of the late Hongkong Engineers' Institute " of which a few present may have a recollection. The rules now submitted were thought 'to be both comprehensive and just to a body connected with marine
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.