PRESENTATION TO MR F. JOHNSTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3413, 13 August 1919, Page 49

PRESENTATION TO MR F. JOHNSTON.

To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his connection with the firm of Messm Briscoe and Co., Mr F. Johnston (general manager for the South Island), was entertained at luncheon in tho Savoy on Thursday by members of the stalls of the South Island branches of the firm. Mr H. £*. Drewe (manager of the firm's Inveroargill branch) presided, and the cordial and harmonious nature of the proceedings indicated the fine spirit of camaraderie that exists between tho general manager, the branch and departmental managers, and the other members of the various staffs. A toast list appropriate to the occasion was honoured, the principal toast, " Our Guest," being happily proposed by tho chairman, who briefly traced Mr Johnston's lonjj and honourable connection with the firm. Tho speaker stated that the general manager had joined the firm as a junior, but his outstanding ability and personality wero such. that in about six years' time he had been appointed to the manager's chair. My Drewe then presented to Mr Johnston « photographic album containing an illuminated address from the members of tha staffs of tho South Island branches of the firm. Mr Coxhead, who proposed the toast of "The Firm and Directorate" in reminiscent vein, gave an interesting outline of the history' of the firm from its foundation in Wolverhampton in 1768. - The Melbourne branch was established in 1853, Dunedin 1862, Sydney 1878, Invercargill 1881, Wellington 1894, Auckland 1902, and Christchurch 1906,' while agencies had been opened in other towns since that date. Mr Hugh Maoneil was the founder of the firm's Dunedin business, which was opened in premises purchased from tho late Mr Alexander Cairns, who was at that time a building contractor, md owing to the limited amount of shipping which visited. Dunedin larger stocks had to be purchased by building contractors than were necessary for inv mediate requirements. Mr Macneil therefore decided to lay in heavy stocks of hardware. The original premises consisted of a very email building on the site at present occupied by the Empire Buildings. At that time, as at present, the demand for houses much exceeded the supply, and Mr Maoneil, failing to secure house accommodation in Dunedin, had to take up his residence at Port Chalmers. The manager of the firm was even less fortunate, as he had to make a shed out of packing cases to provide sleeping accommodation for himself. This shed served : n a dual capacity, having been also used as an office for the firm. Mr Johnston returned thanks for the valuable token of which he had been the recipient, and also expressed his appreciation of the honour which had been paid to him by tho action of the various staffs of the firm entertaining him at a luncheon ' A number of other toasts were honoured, and a musical programme was much enjoyed.