OTAGO DAILY TIMES AND WITNESS SOCIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 12

OTAGO DAILY TIMES AND WITNESS SOCIAL.

In the still watches of the night, while the city mound is slumbering, a great newspaper office is the sc?ne of light and bustle, and they that labour m that abode of mystery — in which there 13 not only a "devil" but also a chapel — are to some extent barred by the exigencies of their profession from partaking in the social pleasures of their fellow *Tnen ; but once annually, in the case of the employees of the Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers Company, they assemble at a little social gathering of their own, and on Saturday, the Btii, the scene of festivity was the Victoria Hall. There were representatives of the directorate, the editorial and literary staffs, and the commercial, reading, composing, stereotyping, machinist, jobbing, photographic, canvassing, aud publishing staffs present with their respective wives, sisters (or somebody else's sisters), and the whole mide up a large assembly, which enjoyed itself to the utmost in the short time available between 7.30 ar<l midnight. "And the night shall be filled with music, and the cares that infest the day shall fold up their tents hk<: the Arab 3 and as silently steal away," seemed to be the motto of the evening , and it was bourne out in full measure, dancing being the order of the day, or rather night, and cards, etc., were provided for those grave and reverend seigneurs whose dancing days were over. During an interval in the dancing, the managing directOi- (Mr G. Fenwick) was called upon for a speech. In the ccurse of a few appropriate remarks, Mr Fenwick expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, and such a spirit of enjoyment prevailing. He referrsd to the progress of the company's operations during th<s past year and tho extensive alterations and additions to the buildings and plant. He was glad to say the improvements had meant the increased comfort of the staff, and all were thankful to tha board of directors, which had had the comfort of its employees primarily in view. He referred t'j the loss both the company and employees had sustained in the death of Mr David Little, who had a record of 40 continuous years in the company's service. In that connection, said Mi Fenwick, vt was interesting to note that there were n,ow employed lour who had b?en

over 30 years in the service, 14 over 25 years, 25 over 20 years, and 40 over 15 years. — (Applause.) He thought that was a proud record io: any company, and he did not think there was any corporation in the colony which could put forwaid such statistics.— (Applause.) In the course of further remarks, he contrasted this position with that indicated in Mr Foster; Frasar's book " America at Work, in which. i f . was shown how the great factories and companies employed only youag men and had r.o room for those who had passed the prime oE life. Mr Fenwisk concluded with a few remarks illustrating the progress of the company's operations, producing' an interesting relio (which could not now be bought for ono penny) in the shape oi the fir3t copy of the first issue of the Times, and closed his address by expressing his pleasure at being present, ar.di his wish to see just such another happy gathering next year. Mr G. L. Dennjston (chairman of dn-ectors> was then called on to the piatfoim, and responded with a humorous address in particularly happy mood He also referred to tha facts of long service quoted by Mr Fenwick,. and said both the employees and the directors, were to be congratulated. He thanked the committee for himself and co-directors for tho invitation to the gathering, and wished one and. all every prosperity and happiness. His concluding remarks occasioned so much merriment v that the reporter's notebook wou.d not contain i\ all. An adjournment was then made to the supper room, where Mr Krcon, the caterer, had setforth all things dainty. During the evening vocal items were contributed by Mesdames Paul and Smeaton, aud Messrs J. Hutchison and C. Graham. Messrs Dodds and Hampton acted aa M.C.'s, and Messr3 Yates and Bcath supplied the music.