CITY FIRM'S ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1926, Page 12

CITY FIRM'S ANNIVERSARY.

GEORGE FOWISB, LTD. FOUNDED FORTY YEARS AGO. [ The staff and friends of the firm of George Fowlds, Ltd., were last evening the guests of the managing-director, the Hon. George Fowlds, at a dinner held in the Pacific Club to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of , the firm. Among those present were Mr. P. G. Lee (president of the Wholesalers and Warehousemen's Association), ; Mr. F. A. Hellaby (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr. G. Ashley ! (representing the Drapers' Association), Messrs. A. C. Caughey and J. 'W. Shackelford, also Messrs. R. Cleghorn ! and N. H. Miller (managers of the Auckland and Wellington branches of Fowlds. Ltd.) \ Mr. Fowlds, in welcoming his guests, said that when he stepped ashore at ■ Auckland in December, 1885, he had I be'eri confidently informed by a party of i agitators that there was no work offering- in the country. He had been told of tyie hardships which had to be faced by all newcomers, but, despite the earnest ' ; advice of the agitators, he had determined to remain in the country. I His first job had been with a pick aiid shovel, but later he had obtained a better position with Mr. J. W. Sbackelford. When he commenced business on hie own he had opened a shop in Victoria Street and later had been the successful tenderer for a bankrupt business in Victoria Arcade. From these beginnings had grown the present firm of Fowlds. Mr. Fowlds concluded with a tribute to the local warehouses, who had shown him every confidence before his firm had become established. A number 1 of speakers extended their congratulations and referred to Soth the good name enjoyed by the firm of Fowlds and to Mr. Fowlds' high standing in both local and national affairs. Their eulogisI tic remarks were acknowledged by Mr. G. M. Fowlds.