Complimentary Dinner.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7900, 28 July 1904, Page 7

Complimentar y Dinner.

Mr B. Wilton, who has seyared his connoetiou who.•■•; the firm ( >f M^^colm and Wilton, in order tn s-:art_ busints, 01 his own aeao-.n't in -'Palmersiou, ' enteit-'iuod t>is la o employeea ac a didner at tha 01 ;b" Ho el iaat night. I, ad/iition to m=i empioyets eover'al't :wn?peoplH were piesent, including the M*vor, who presidfd. ■■"■.■■

Jn proposing the toast of-"Trade and Lommenv," the Mayor refei-ed to the good feeling.existing L-Pivew, Messrs -.Malcolm, an 1 Wilton and their employees, proving conclusively that tho Arbitration Act \\;a's not generally rocfuimcl. }!e frit sure that the good will referred to. would continue in the inn, and tliat.it would prosper i-. the future as it had in iJhe past. Eegardirfo- trade and commerce, lie said it was such firms as Messrs M f ,:. ohn and Wilton That had helped i'o push the town ahead and assisted to mako it what it is,'the loading inland towii of the cblonv.

Mr A. N. Gibbons r'is;.-on-.!o.l to the toast, during which ho •c-terred to a remark by tho'Mayor as l-j. Ihe advantages of having a ' bett.-r wa:er supply for motive power. Trio considered that tha water in ',he -Manawatu , Gorge should be 'harnessed, which would provide the tow;i with a good system of electrical power. Mr Wilton, in an excellent speech, proposed '" The New Firm." He made special reference to the cordial relations that had existed between Mr Malcolm' and himself during the three-and-a-half years they had bqsn, together in business. ' They had been proud of the men in their employ, all of whom had worked loyally in their interests, and the success of the iirm was in a large measure due to their efforts: He felt sure that Mr Malcolm, who would carry on the old business, would be equally as successful in the future, and that the employees would work hard to secure that result.

Mr Malcolm, responding, said that during the time he had^been in partnership with Mr Wilton the business had run smoothly. They had been fortunate in having a loyal staff, who had studied .--their interests in every possible way, and it was intended- that the new firm should wdrk on the lines.cv! the old one. He trusted the siame harmonious relations would continue. He regretted Mr Wilton was leaving hi m because, successful as they had been during the past-three-and-a-half year's, he felt that greater prosperity was in store for them in thei future. Regarding, the Arbitration Act, he stated the" firm had always complied with the terms of tlie Act, although, at the same time, he considered such lerrisla'tion did much to harm trade. He trusted Mr-"Wilton would be successful in his new undertaking. Mr Payne, on behalf of the employees, presented Mr Wilton with a handsomely framed photograph of the employees. On behalf of the latter he wished Mr Wilton every prosperity in his new business, 'stating they had always found him to be a kind and considerate employer whom they heM in the highest est'qeyn. Tho address was as foilows :—

To J. B. Wilton, Eslq : .—Dear .Sir,— We, the employees of tho firm of Messrs Malcolm and Wilton, .desire to express cur regret that you are severing your connection wiiitli tho firm, and wo ask .you to accept this presentation as a mark of the esteem and regard in which you are held by us, and we trust your future may be prosperous and your highest anticipations may 'be realised.— Misses B. Scott and F. Oldham, Messrs A. Scotney. C. F. Giorg-i, C. Mai, C. J, Tikoy'N. -S. Bcnfell, '■■ C.J. Adams, ii. W. Payne. C. G. Beatlio, L. Pen-in. J. H. Traill, L. T. Eglinton, 1:1: C. Blandford, J. H. Hunwick, A. iL Kictd; W r. H. : Rowland, J. Dowdall, S. C. Beattie, and J. 'Griffin.''' A -

Mr Wilton, .returning • thanks for the presentation,., said he appreciated very much the kind remarks made.regarding himself. He was unable to express in words '.all that he felt,, but .he assured the employees he' valued their esteem very highly. Other toasts honoured included "The Furniture Trade/ proposed by Jlr Beattie and responded to by ]\l*r Blandford ; " The Ladies "•;■ '"' The Chairman "•; and " The Host " (Jfr Wilton). The gathering concluded with _ the singing of '° A'ul'd Lang Sync."' Several - songs and recitations were contributed during tho evening, jVTessrs A. : -MclMinn ° and Young presiding at the.piano.: