GIFT OF A FACTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 72, 23 March 1912, Page 17

GIFT OF A FACTORY.

£80,000 PRESENT TO FIFTY EMPLOYEES. Good fortune has befallen the employees of M. Delatour, a wholesale boot and shoe maker, who has two factories, one in Paris and the other at Llancourt. M. Delatour is a self-made man, and for over forty years has worked harder than any of his men. To-day he is a millionaire, but has neither wite nor children to share his riches. One day recently he was obliged to remain at home through indisposition, and as he passed the kitchen he surprised his old servant in tears. In reply to him she said she was depressed at the thought of what would happen to her if he dismissed her. The incident set M. Delatour thinking, and next day he sent for his lawyer and settled an annuity on the old woman for life. Rut he did not stop there. He resolved to hand over the works to his employees, and under his instructions the lawyer drew i-P a deed transferring the building and plant and stock to fifty of the men who had helped him to make his fortnne. This Is equivalent to a gift of about £SO,OOO, or an average of £16,000 to each employee. The douor, however, stipulates that for the next three years the direction of the factory shall remain in his hands and none ;._ these who benefit will be at liberty to i-ealise his share before the end of that period. The announcement of M. Delatotir's Intention has not been received by his employees with unmixed joy owing to the fact that only 50 of 300 men will share in his iberality I