MR JAMES FLETCHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 76

MR JAMES FLETCHER.

A COMPLIMENTARY DINNER. On Thursday evening over 100 frieds and business acquaintances assembled in the Carlton Hotel, the occasion being a complimentray dinner and presentation to Mr James Fletcher, head of the Fletcher Construction Company. Mr James Brown presided. After dinner had been disposed of the loyal toast was honoured. Then followed a most acceptable item by the Idlers’ Quartet. Mr W. E. C. Reid then proposed the toast of “The Architects of Dunedin.” Mr W. M’Dowell Smith (president of the Architects’ Association) responded. The Chairman then rose to propose the toast of “The Guest of the Evening.” In his opinion, he said, others were better qualified to deal with this toast, although lie had known Mr Fletcher for many years. It would be impossible to attempt a detailed account of Mr Fletcher’s career. He had, according to his own story, arrived in Dunedin 18 years ago, with but a few pounds, but he had possessed more than that—he had a good Scottish face and t ngue, and that had proved a great recommendation to a Scottish community. He had now been many years among them, and had conducted himself in such a way that all who had come in contact with him were filled with respect for him. Having had a fairly intimate knowledge of the life and work of Mr Fletcher and the way in which he had conducted himself in Dunedin he (the speaker) was proud to be associated with any gathering which did honour to him. Resource, energy, and integrity had carried him so far. It was not that he had succeeded materially so much as that he had proved himself a man of great worth. His money, whether he had any or not, did not matter. He was a man who had earned a great reputation as a business colleague and as a friend. In conclusion he said he was sure there were many who would like to add something to khis tribute to Mr Fletcher. Messrs F. Z. Moore. C. Speight, V. Jacobs, J. Sheen, and D. Thompson also spoke. The Chairman said verbal expressions of goodwill were all very well, but the gathering had decided that Mr Fletcher should take away with him some tangible recognition of the esteem in which he was held by a host of friends in Dunedin. He. therefore, had great pleasure in presenting Mr Fletcher with an order for a handsome chiming hall clock and a set of crystal vases for Mrs Fletcher. The toast of “The Guest of the Evening” was then enthusiastically drunk. Mr Fletcher, in rising to reply, said from the description given by Mr Brown he could scarcely recognise himself. Their gifts were nothing compared with the honour done to him by such a gathering. When 18 /ears ago he had raised his sign in Cameron street lie had not expected such an achievement, in spite of many ambitions. He owed much to his brothers and those associated with the firm. Moreover, he had to recognise the worth of his employees and the allied trades with which he had had little trouble. He had not shirked what was for the good of Dunedin. He considered the gathering was more a tribute to the trade rather than to himself. He must pay tribute to his employees, who were as fine tradesmen as were to be found in any part of the world. ITe had travelled much, and he knew what he was talking about.

The toast of “The Wholesale Merchants’' was proposed by Mr S. B. Macdonald and replied to by Messrs F. M. Sliortt and J. Ringland. Mr Forsyth Johnston proposed the toast of “The Builders’ Association,’’ which was replied to by Messrs W. Ross and J. M’Cor-: mack. The toast of “The Allied Trades” was proposed by Mr J. H. Walker and responded to by Messrs J. S. Douglas and R. Fraser. Mr J. Fletcher proposed the toast of “Thfli Successors of the Fletcher Construction Company,” with which was coupled the names of Messrs J. W. and R. Love. The gathering broke up with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.