AN HONOURED CAREER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11302, 30 August 1922, Page 3

AN HONOURED CAREER

MR T. FORSYTH RETIRES RECOGNITION BY WELLINGTON DRAPERS. SERVICE TO CITY AND DOMINION. Thoro "was a very convivial gathering at the rjrea rooms of Messrs Kirkcaldio and Stains last evening, when a dinner was tendered by the Wellington Drapers' Association in honour of Mr T. Forsyth, who has just retired after rwenty-four years 4 service at Te Aro House, of which in the last eight years he has occupied the position of general manager. The chair was taken by Mr F. G. Page, president of tho association, and others present were Messrs John Kirkcaldio, Sidney Kirkcaldio, Page, Smith, Archibald, Simm, Sealy, Burgess, H. Foster. A. A. George, L. George, P. G. Hasson, W. Queree, A. S. Morgan, H. Linney, T. Page, J. R. Carey, C. A. Josephson, W. F. Hornig, W. G. Macklin, H. Price, J. Louchars, N. Cole, F. Brewer,. W. Black, D. J. B. Howe, H. Archer, J. 0. Smith, H. Routh, H. H. Miller, Alex. Smith, H. Smith. C. S. Reid, G. E. Fownes, D. S. Patrick, Nickols, Kersley, Allan, J. G. Smith, W. G. Hood, J. Carter, H. Gilmer, Living, Efvans, Cody, Church, W. Grey, Slater, Doddrell, ahd J. Sykes (hon. secretary to tho association). THE GUEST. Tho loyal toast halving been honoured, tho chairman said they had met to show tangible appreciation of tho services rendered to the trade by their guest. He had held every position in the association from the president downwards, and held the secretaryship at a time when it was anything but a soft job, and when it was not easy to persuade members that an association would be of distinct benefit. With a Scot's characteristic he 6tuok to his task, and slowly but surely the Wellington Association grew until it was the largest in New Zealand, with a most cordial feeling among its members. The idea of the testimonial, on tho eve of his severing his connection with the trade, was taken up very whole-heartedly. Besides being an ardent worker in the association, he was a member of that 6mall, but live body of three, known as the Advisory Board of the Now Zealand Federation or Drapers, and they would have a hard tack to fill his place. They could not adequately express the value of his services to the federation. As chairman of the Education Board he was acquainted with Ministers and theix secretaries, and on many occasions had been able to give the trade valuable advice and information. In connection with the Shops and Offices Act he was able to render signal service, as the Act, in its original form, would have been disastrous to smaller traders. He had sat as a representative of the trade in tho Conciliation Court, and had never conceded a point against the interest of the trade. At the conference in Christchurch it was decided that the time had arrived when the trade should be represented in Parliament, and that strenuous efforts should be made to induce some one with a, knowledge of their requirements to represent them and the commercial community generally in the House, and they hoped that Mr Forsyth would represent them. (Hear, hear.) A testimonial in the form of an address was in course of preparation, and would be handed to Mr Forsyth when completed. The chairman then presented Mr Forsyth with a wallet bearing his initials and containing a cheque in appreciation of the services rendered by him to the association. THE TESTIMONIAL. The address was read by Mr Simm, manager of the D.1.C., as follows :—"The members of the Wellingtcr. Retail Drapers* and Clothiers' Association feel that your retirement from the management of Te Aro House, after twenty-four years' service with the firm, and the probable severance of your connection with the detail drapery trade, cannot be allowed to pass without expression of ffieir sincere goodwill and an acknowledgment of the sterling work you have done for the trade in ’Wellington and the Dominion. "As one time secretary of the Wellington Drapers* Association, as an almost continuous and always zealous memoer of its committee, and as a member of the advisory board of the New Zealand Drapers* Federation, of which you were one of the most enthusiastic promoters, you Lave achieved results for the trade which cannot be over-estimated. "Your services to the general community have raised you to a high place in the respect and esteem of your fellowcitizens, as your frequent re-election to public office has proved. By your activities in the spheres of education, philanthropy and civio government you have won much honour, the reflection of which falls upon the trade to which you have belonged. "It is therefore as an indication of their feelings towards you that members of the drapery trade in Wellington ask you to accept the accompanying cheque. With it go their eincereet good wishes for- the fisfcure happiness of yourself, your wife, and your family. May you live long and prosper. "Signed on behalf of the Wellington Retail Drapers, Clothiers* and Mercers' Association—-F. G. Page, president; C. Smith and J. Leuchars, vice-presidents; H. Miller, treasurer; J. Sykes, secretary." Musical honours wore accorded the guest in a most hearty way. EULOGISTIC SPEECHES. Mr A. A. George said they were honouring a man whose character had been trained and moulded for the community. Service and character were qualities which they admitted, and which were outstanding in their guest, and few men had done so much for the general good of Wellington as he had. Mr Alex. Smith {Jas. Smith, Ltd.), remarked that Mr Forsyth was a man who spoke hie mind in spite of obstacles, and even the Minister for Education could not* sit on him. The association owed its projn-ess to his splendid work, and besides his public career he had always been ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. Mr H. Ifc>uth( Paihiatua), an old secre-

tary of the association, referred to the years of pleasant relations with Mr Forsvth as assistant manager at Te Aro House.

MANY FRIENDS, FEW ENEMIES. Mr Forsyth was given a cordial reception on rising to respond. It had been a great pleasure to assist the trade during the last quarter of a century, and he was glad to say he had made many friends and few enemies. He had been greatly helped by Mr Kouth and Mr Sykes. Excellent work had been done by the Advisory Board, and their endeavours to improve conditions in the trade had met with great success. The trade was now linked up in nearly every district in the country. He bad spent many happy days at Te Aro House, and would like to express his appreciation of the kindness and appreciation he had received all round. It was necessary that they stand together for trade purposes, as exemplified during the war, when they had to convince the Board of Trade of their right to be heard and felt in 'connection with the question of replacement values. It was pleasing to note how conditions were improving, and that they had now the Saturday half-holiday, and he thought few w**<ild like to return to the old order of things. In conclusion he thanked them from the bottom of T is heart for their kindness and appreciation of what he had done, and that gathering would always be a memorable one in his life. (Applause.) THE DRAPERY TRADE.

Mr Simm proposed "The Drapery Trade," and said they should be proud of it, for there were drapers who had risen to high positions in all walks of life. They were proud that the Wellington Association had found its feet and had brought about that gathering. He coupled with the toast the names of Mr John Kirkcaldie, whom they justly called the father of the trade, and Mr Christopher Smith, who was unable to be present owing to indisposition. He would Like to sav that during* his 24 years of association and friendship with Mr Forsyth they had had no differences except differences of opinion, and held each other in the highest esteem. Appreciative remarks were also made by Mr Sidney Kirkcaldie, who said he thought good times were ahead, although tfiey might not be coming for a year or two.; by Mr John Kirkcaldie, who referred to the foundation qf the present business of Kirkcaldie and Stains in 1868.

Mr Horace Smith expressed regret that his father was not present, as he could have given them some interesting experiences of the early days in New Zea land. He thanked them for the way in which they had received the toast.

Mr H. ff. Miller nropoeed the whole sale trade, to which Mr Gregg responded. Songs were contributed by Mr H. C. Foster and Mr E’. J. Hill, Mr Frank Thomas being the accompanist.