Whangarei Firm’s 21st Birthday

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1948, Page 3

Whangarei Firm’s 21st Birthday

The Whangarei firm of David Wilson, Ltd., yesterday celebrated its 21st birthday.

In the evening a coming-of-age socv ial for members of the staff, business associates, and friends, was held i«r the Vinery Lane Hall. The Mayor (Mr W. Jones), who, with the Mayoress, was present, and who presented Mr Wilson with the “key,” revealed that when Mr Wilson took over the business 21 years ago the staff numbered three. Today the staff totalled over 30. This, said the Mayor, was a vivid illustration of the progress which Whangarei and Northland had made. TRIBUTE TO STAFF Paying a tribute to the members of his staff, Mr Wilson thanked them for their loyal and cooperative services over the years. He made presentations to Miss G. Howard, the company's secretary, and Mr F. Eyles, foreman of the plumbers, who had been with the business when he took it over, and to Mr D. McTavish, the newest member of the staff. After the presentation of the “key” by the Mayor, the birthday cake, made by Mrs W. A. McQueen, wife of a staff member, and iced by her daugh-1 ter, was cut by Mrs Wilson. Earlier in the evening the entry of Santa Claus, escorted by Pipers Flora and Isla McQueen, was preceded by the presentation of a bouquet to Mrs Wilson by Miss Kathleen Taylor and a gift to Miss Mary Wilson by Miss Doris Lloyd. GIFTS FOR CHILDREN Santa Claus distributed gifts to the children of staff members. The following toast-list was honoured during the supper programme:— David Wilson, Ltd. (Mr A. P. Morgan—Mr D. Wilson); Kindred Firms (Mr J. Sweeney—Mr D. Haigh); The Staff (Mr D. Wilson—Mr F. Eyles); the Press (Mr C. Leonard—Mr W. E. Crawford); The Ladies (Mr W. Bowden —Miss O. Howard). Items were given by Miss Mary Wilson, and Messrs F. W. Edgeley and C. A. Taylor.

Music for dancing was played by Mrs Mackinnon’s orchestra.