FAREWELL SOCIAL TO MR. H. C. TEWSLEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 196, 17 August 1906, Page 2

FAREWELL SOCIAL TO MR. H. C. TEWSLEY.

On Thursday,evening the staff of Sargood, Son, and Ewen entertained Mr. H. C. Tewsley at a valedictory social, Mr. Thos. Finlayson presiding. After a short musical programme, contributed by em- > ployees of the firm, Mr. Finlayson, in ; a very feeling manner, referred to the object of the present gathering, namely, to bid farewell to Mr. Tewsley, who is leaving to take up the important position of manager of the firm's Wellington business. He (Mr. Finlayson) would feel very keenly the loss of Mr. Tewsley's able assistance and sound judgment, associated together as thej' had been for the last 20 years, which "association had not been merely a business one, but had developed into a warm, personal friendship. However, both Mr. Sargood and himself esteemed themselves fortunate in having a man of Mr. Tewsley'a ability, to whom they could offer the responsibility of the management at Wellington. Addressing the younger employees, he pointed out that with steady application to duty it was possiblo for everyone of them to rise, if notSto the highest, at any rate to responsible and lucrative positions in the employ of the firm. Mr. A. B. Burgess, on behalf of the counting-house staff, tendered congratulations to Mr. Tewsley, and, at the same time, expressed their regret at losin* therr chief, whose kindly sympathy and advice had been at the disposal of every member of tho office. On behalf of the departmental staff, Messrs. S. Woods, J. Buchanan, C. H. Jones, and H. B. Dexter in turn gave expression to similar sentiments, all the speeches having a ring of sincerity about them, which must have been very pleasing to the parting guest. Mr. Jones referred briefly.to the part which the Auckland staff had played dur- ' mg the last 20 years of the firm's history. After Mr. John Ewen's departure i for London it. was fourfd necessary to appoint a general manager for New i Zealand, and the firm's choice rested on , the then Auckland manager, the late Mr. < John Ross, who, from this position", ' earned the honourable status of a part- ' ncr in the firm. In later years, after i the death of Sir Frederick Sargood, when i Mr. P. B. Sargood felt the need of soma- ' one to share the responsibility of man- ' aging this large business, it was again to Auckland that he turned to find a partner in our respected chief, Mr. T. Finlayson j and now, at this juncture Of the firm's affairs., when a strong hand i and a clear head were needed in Wellington, it must be a pride and pleasure to all present to find that the firm had. once again, in the Auckland staff found a man Dtted for so responsible a position. * Mr. TL Johnston, on behalf of the commercial travellers, expressed the regret that he was sure would be felt by them I all at losing so genial a manager as Mr. l Tewsley, and hoped that Mr. Tewsley would be most successful in his future career. Speaking for the Gisborne branch, Mr. Johnston assured Mr. Tewsley that they would at all times welcome a visit from him. A telegram from Mr. George Ramson, expressing the hearty good wishes of the New Plymouth staff, was read to the meeting by the chairman. Mr. Finlayson then proposed the toast of the evening the health of Mr. H. C. Tewsley, hoping he would be long spared to give the firm the benefits of his ripe judgment. Needless to say, the ( toast was most heartily received, and i drunk with musical honv- j ours. _Mr. Fsnlayson /here asked Mr. I Tewsley- s acceptance as a souvenir from employees of the firm of a handsome travelling case, which he trusted would * serve to remind him of the good friends r he leaves behind him, and to assure him l that he carries therewith the hearty r good wishes of every member of the staff. Mr. H. C. Tewslev. in voro f/.oi;«n

-..*... ii. v/. icwaiev, in very iceiing terms, thanked nil present 'for their handsome gift, and for the very kind sentiments expressed by the different speakers. He had, during his stay in Auckland, taken a loading hand in many functions of this kind, when one or another of the firm's employees had left the staff. On such occasions, he confessed with contrition, he had taken a wicked pleasure in watching the squirms of the unfortunate recipients. However, his sins were coming home to roost, and in future he would have a deeper sympathy with men in a like position. He acknowledged the many kindnesses extended to him by Mr. Finlayson, to whom, in a great measure, he recognised his present advancement was due. Kindly reference har , . been made to the position lie had taken iv outside affairs, such rs the Chamber of Commerce, the Auckland Railway League, and the Navy League. He would urge on those present that in these days of manhood suffrage that it was their duty to take an intelligent interest in the affaire of the city, colony ,and the nation. He especially commended to them, as worthy of support, the Navy League, pointing out the similarity in size tind position between New Zealand, in the Southern Hemisphere, and Great Britain, in the North, and that the maritime supremacy of the Empire was of the first importance to every patriot. Mr. Tewsley assured the employees present that if business or pleasure took any one of them to Wellington, they would never find his office door closed. A short varied programme, in which Messrs. A. L. Jones, J. Patterson, J. Tait, A. Aylett, C. H. Jones, and H. W. Taylor took part, was brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," followed by hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Tewsley. .