TRIBUTES TO BUSINESS ABILITY AND INTEGRITY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6900, 4 May 1929, Page 9

TRIBUTES TO BUSINESS ABILITY AND INTEGRITY

Mr P. S. Larcomb Honoured AFTER LONG SERVICE WITH HIS FIRM Over S 3 members of Messrs Wright Stephenson and Co., Ltd., and Abraham and Williams, Ltd., foregathered last evening at the Orange Hall, Lombard street, to bid farewell to Mr. P- S. Larcomb, who for many years has been manager of the Palmerston North branch of Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., and has resigned that position to take up the profession of accountant and auditor on his own account.

In rising to propose the toast of the guest of the evening, the chairman (Mr. R. S. Abraham), said that he had been associated with Mr Larcomb for the past 23 years ,and ho knew in his own heart that he (Mr Larcomb) always had the welfare of the firm at heart. It was in 1906 that Mr. Larcomb first joined the firm. In 1909 ho was appointed accountant. Six years later he was promoted to secretary of the local branch . In 1918 he was made company manager and in 1921 became managing director of the local branch, a position he held until the amalgamation with Messrs Wright Stephenson and Co. Ltd., when head office was transferred to Wellington. Mr. Abraham congratulated Mr. Larcomb on the step he had taken, and said he felt sure that with the ability, personality and capacity for work, quite apart from the esteem in which he was hold by the community, he must succeed in his now venture. In handing Mr Larcomb a sealed envelope containing a cheque subscribed by the directors and co-workers, Mr. Abraham wished Mr. Larcomb long life, health and Tasting prosperity. Mr 0. Monrad, speaking to the io&st, said that he had been associated with Mr. Larcomb for the past 20 years, and no ono felt more sorry than he, that Mr Larcomb had severed his connection with the firm. “I venture to say,” said Mr. Monrad, “that no citizen could hold the position from which Mr. Larcomb has just resigned, upless he held the respect and esteem of his fellow men.” Continuing, Mr. Monrad said ho felt sure that Mr. Larcomb would do well and go far and he sincerely hoped that he would ae-, complish his object with half as much hard work and less worry than he had been used to. Referring to local politics, Mr. Monrad remarked that in the event of Mr. Milverton resigning from the Borough Council, he hoped Mr. Larcomb would consider filling the vacancy.

Other speakers to the toast wore Messrs S. J. Seivers, F. C. Bryan, C. V. Day, E. P. Abraham, A. K. Simpson, B. Moffatt and A. E. Kerslake. On rising to respond, Mr. Larcomb was greeted with applause and cheers. “Thero is no doubt about it,” he said, “Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., is the best firm in the district, and I feci very proud to have been associated with them for so many years. Looking back over all those years it is with pleasure that I recall the names of all th<v>e who so loyall yassisted in establishing, what to-day is one of the best commercial houses in New Zealand.” Ho thanked all the previous speakers for the very flattering romarks concerning him, especially Mr. R. S. Abraham, who he said was a thorough gentleman. Other toasts honoured were “Our New Manager” (Mr. S. R. Thomson), proposed by Mr. Monrad; “Our Chairman” (Mr. R. S. Abraham), proposed by Mr B. J. Jacobs. Speaking of Mr Thomson, Mr. Monrad said he had been appointed to the local office because ho was capable of filling the position. He came from the firm of Wright Stephenson and Co., Ltd., thereforo he must bo capable. “He will carry on where Mr Larcomb left off. His job will be a big one, and I ask that all employees of the firm accord their now manager all the support possible, thereby lightening his load. The directors want the company to prosper, and when the company is prosperous it is immediately reflected in the prosperity of the employees. It must be hard,” continued Mr Monrad, “for Mr Thomson to come among strangers, more or less, but I feel suro that the assistance of the employees will not be found wanting, and that the old firm will hold its own in the years ahead.” In responso, Mr. Thomson, thanked Mr Monrad for his complimentary remarks, and tho employees for the very enthusiastic manner in which they had received him. “I can assure you,” said Mr Thompson, “that I am here to help you and do all I can to make your occupations as enjoyable as possible. During the past 12 months I havo come in contact with a good many of tho employees, and feel perfectly satisfied that amicable relations will exist. I realise that I am succeeding a vory strong man —a man who has sot a vory high standard of efficiency, and I would like to assuro him that I will endeavour to carry on where ho left off. Anything that 1 can do to assist him in his new* venture will be done gladly.” Those present at tho function w;cro— Palmerston North: Messrs E. S. Abraham (director), S. R. Thomson (manager), R. P. Abraham, F. C. Bryan, O. Monrad, W. Moffatt, L. R. Hardie, A. E. Kerslake, D. Young, P. Brookic, F. D. Lewis, K. McKenzie, D. Amadio, A, M. Myers, S. W. Wilton, J. Rees, A. K. Simpson, T. Powell, R. Carson, J. Egan, L. Little and J. Dodds. Feilding: Messrs J. Pilling, J. Bevan, L. D. Millar. Marton: Messrs C. V. Day*, A. Theed, K. Scoon, and D. Stewart. Taihape: Messrs B. C. Fitzherbert and A. Fletcher. Levin: Messrs S. J. Seivers and G. Evans. Visitors: Messrs B. J. Jacobs, J. Grant, F. W. Connell and P. L. Sim (auditors), W. T. Penny, E. Laurie and G. Young, a late member of the staff. Apologies for absence were received

from the following directors: Messrs W. D. Hunt, D. Allen, J. T.' Martin, R. E. Beckett, S. Bolton and E. H. Binney. Staff apologies were: Messrs F. Binney, A. W. Beckett, G. R. Thynne, J. Rutherford, K. Biss, R. Belfit, F. Johnson and F. Nicholson (late member of the staff). During the evening musical and vocal items were rendered by the following: Songs, Messrs B. Jacobs, B. Pizzcy and Simpson; songs wth banjo, Mr. R. Fanner. Mr. J. Huggins officiated at the piano. The evening terminated with the singing of the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne.