MR H. E. SKINNER'S RETIREMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 12

MR H. E. SKINNER'S RETIREMENT

VALEDICTORY GATHERING A function of particular interest to all those associated with the leather trade in New Zealand was held in the City Hotel'last'night as a valedictory to Mr H. E. Skiimer. Mr Skinner has been connected with the boot manufacturing-'in-dustry in the. 'Dominion for 46 years, aiid during the-last : 20 years he has fill-id ,the position of manager of Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen's boot factory in Ihmedin—a position from which he resigned yesterday. He was one of the leaders of the industry during the period when it niade a marked advance and became one of the leading secondary industries of the Dominion. Apart from a large gathering of members of, the local trade there was a representative attendance of tanners- and. boot manufacturers aiid of the leather and grindery and other departments of the industry and of allied interests from Auckland to Bluff. The very representative nature of the gathering was a striking tribute to the respeot and esteem in which Mr Skinner is held. Mr Harold Lightband, of Christchurch, who has been associated with the boot trade for many years and who had known Mr Skinner in his apprenticeship davs, occupied the chair and read a large number of congratulatory telegrams from friends throughout the Dominion.. Following dinner a suitable toast list was honoured, interspersed with musical items rendered by the Idlers' quartet. The menu and the toast list Was got up fn the appropriate form of a boot. During the evening, Mr Skinner was presented with a gold watch, a gentleman's dressing rase, and a canteen of cutlery for Mrs Skinner. Mr Skinner made an apppropriate reply, in the course of which he introduced many personal reminiscences. The gathering was arranged bv a com' mittee representative of the local leather and allied trades with support from the trades throughout Xew Zealand.