DEPARTURE FOR CAMP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 144, 17 June 1918, Page 4

DEPARTURE FOR CAMP

"FAREWELL SOCIAL TO MR G.

.MILNER.

The 'staff and employees of 'Messrs Kirkpatrick and Co. met in the factory at 11.30 on Saturday morning' latsfc, when Mr iC. Milner, who is secretary of the company, and also a director, was presented with a set of military brushes, a shaving outfit, and a wallet of sovereigns to purchase something for himself, prior to his leaving for camp. The presentation was made by Mr W. E. Thomson, foreman at the factory, in an appropriate speech, and supporting speeches were also made bv Messrs Stfevenson, AA'ebb, J. 'L. Chiug, and B. Neale. Mr Milner suita'bly Teplied. A smoke concert was held in the Masonic .social room in the evening, when the male employees of the factory and a few personal friends assembled to bid farewell to' Mr Milner on the eve of his departure for camp. Mr S. Kirkpatrick presided, and in his introductory remarks said that although the Military Appeal Board had adjourned Mr Milner's cas?e sine die, and the Minister of Munitions had state d that ft was necessary he should stay in Nelson to assist in carrying out the firm's contracts with tlhe Defence .Department, he felt it was his duty to go to the front and had volunteered for active service.

After the toast of "The King" had been duly honoured, the hea'th of the guest of the evening was proposed by Mr AV. E- Thomson, who spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Milner, and was aupnorted ~., several other 'employees oV the l arm.

Mr Milner feelingly replied. He rtaid he had been 22£ veaw with the firm. Starting as an office boy, he had gradually worked his way up to his present position. He had jgot on well with tho employees and was sorry to I'eave them. uen. Mr Lloyd George had. called for more men he felt it his dut.v to respond to the call. The toast of "Prosperity to S. Kirkpatrick and Go," was .proposed •by Mr J !M. Thornley, the Wellington, manav jrer of the firm. In the course of hjs sDeech he showed, how th e firm had prospered since its inception, in 1881 up to the present time. He .said that last year's output was a record, \but it was hoped to eclipse it this year) Mr Kirkpatrick, in replying-, gave some interesting details showing how the firm had' grown. As evidence of the popularity of "K" jam, he mentioned that the firm had received orders from, all parts of the world, but had to turn them down. Owing to the shortage of tinplate and the insufficient supply of fruit, the output of jam was /onliy sufficient for the requirements of New Zealand. .

The toasts of ' Our Boys in \Camp" (Mr B. Neale), and "Our Empire and Allies" (Mr J. L. O'hing), were alsr given. ~"

During the sonss were Tendered by Messrs A. G. Betts, E. Johnston, and -. M. Thornley. A very pleasant evening was brought to a conclusion by the singing of the National Anthem.

MR H. MARTIN" FAREWELLED. At the close of businets? on Saturday night the directors and employees of the firm of J. Wood & .Sons,' Ltd., met for supper at the Haeremai Tea Rooms to bid farewell to one of their number, Mr Harry Martin, who is leaving ■ for camp with the, next reinforcements on Tuesday. .Mr E. G. Wood; managing director,-expressed regret that necessity called for the departure of one who had been faithful .and reliable during the many years-he had been connected with the firm, and in wishing Mr Martin good-bye trusted he would be -favoured with good health, good lucfe, and. a "safe return. On behalf of, the firm he had much pleasure in presenting Mr Martin with a cheque? Mr Edriage spoke of the good comrado and excellent Mr Martin had always been, and as he had been true and faithful to hie firm and mates, so he would be- true to King and country. He had much pleasure an behalf of the staff in making a presentation to Mr Martin.

After other? had spoken in words of regret and kindly wishes for Mr Martin's welfare. "For He's a Jolly Good Feliow" was heartily "sung, and cheers were given. , ' ■ -/ ■■,. ■ - ~