SOCIAL GATHERING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7932, 14 December 1909, Page 3

SOCIAL GATHERING.

■At the Masonic Hall last evening the employees of Messrs W. H. Collins and Sons wore .entertained by the firm at a dinner given on the occasion of Mr Rs A . Coilins's return vlth lii.s bride ri'om Australia, where he was recently married. J .The whole of the staff, with their wives and families, numbering in all I about 80, were preso:,:, and the gathering was presided over by Mr E. B Usboj'n. " , Mr "\Y, Ffaser proposed the health of' Mr and Mrs 11. A. Collins, and presented Mr Collins with a hall-stand bearing, on a silver plate, a suitable: inscription, on behalf of the painting department. Following this the chairman, Mr Osborn, on behalf of the oiiice staff, the hardware, department, and the yard men, presented Mr Collins with a.twarble clock, also inscribed. Mi 11. A. Collins, in grateful terms, acknowledged the gifts, as expressing the kindly feelings and goodwill of the staff towards him. The toast of " Tho Firm," proposed by Mr Ben Baker, ttas responded to by Mr W. H. Collins, who gave a very interesting Sketch of the firm's history. During the evening the guests were entertained with musical items and recitations, and the gathering, which had been of a very happy character, was brought to a close with the singing of '•' Auld Lang Syne,"