NIVEN AND CO'S. REUNION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14983, 9 August 1919, Page 5

NIVEN AND CO'S. REUNION.

RETURNED ROYS WELCOMED.

A most succes-sful smoke concert was j held m the Abercorn hajl last night -by J the local management of Jaa. J. Niven and Co., Ltd., to welcome -back four em-j ployees recently returned- from active service — Messrs C. J. Long, C. Mitchell, j S. Moss, and V.. Clarke — and as a sendoff to the accountant (Mr L. Silverwood), who has been transferred to the Napier office of /the firm. About 45 persons sat down to the tables, and a pleasant evening was spent, the musical programme being contributed to by Messrs. A. Williamson, W. R. McMurray, E. Sharpies, C. Hampton, A. Hopps, A. Charles, L. Silverwood, and W. J. Sinclair.

The usual toasts were; drunk with j musical honors, and included "The Returned Boys," proposed by the manager (Mr H. J. Edwards), and replied; to by the returned men present, each on© narrating, m an interesting manner some of his particular experiences on active service. The toast to "Fallen Heroes" was recorded, all present standing m silence. Other toasts Were "Kindred Trades," -proposed by Mr A. Williamson, and responded to by Mr O'Donnell. "The Ladies," proposed by Mr E. Sharpies, and replied •to by Mr C Mitchell ; while other toasts includer"The firm and the. manager. .

In. proposing the toast to the soldier .employees of the firm, the managpr (Mr. H. J. Edwards) said that the and management at the last annual meeting desired him to convey their thanks to the employees m this, district, for the successful year's working by the local branch, which secured second 1 , place m the list of various branches of J. J. Niven and Co. m the Dominion. - (Applause.) Taking into consideration the isolated condition as far as resources went, and compared 1 with other districts, the Gisborne branch had forged into a very satisfactory position. Personally he felt sure that but for the regrettable accident which occurred owing to explosion, the local branch might have headed the list. The district had 'bigy prospects ahead, and Niven and C 0.. ;: had made arrangements for the extension of thenpremises. The Napier foundry was manufacturing machinery, and he felt it would not be long before the Gisborne branch could deal with a considerable amount of this work. With the proposed Waikohu hydro-electric scheme and the outer harbor, ail the firms m: the district of this type would have plenty of work to do — that was if the Harbor Board decided to solve the harbor question. He congratulated tbe boys on . their return, and hoped they would soon pick up the threads again m civil life.

Mr L. Silverwood, who has received notice of his triansfer to Napier, after four years' service m Gjeborne, was presented by the manager on behalf of the firm and those present with a brief ,l?ag . and '- silver tea. .pot and va^ev as a tak.en of, t£e esteem m which lie; was ■ helcL.tln doing so Mr Edwards Vaidl.the recipient had proved a vahiablev. member of the staff; and he had- displayed considerable, ability m his work. The Napier firm would be glad to have him back, and he (Mr Edwards) looked forward to seeing him secure a high position m the firm. (Applause.) Mr Silverwood . came to GfisboMe about four • years ago to carry on the work of a man who had enlisted and gone on active .service.. The recipient's health 'was honored byra toast, and eulogistic- reference to Mr Silverwood's capabilities and character were made by Messra G. Bennett, C. J. Long, and H. Pritchard. Mr Silverwood, m reply, said that he had received notice of his transfer with mixed feelings of pride and sorrow, one for returning to Napier and the .other on leaving Gisborne. Niveau and Go. were pioneers m engineering m this district, and he. believed there were ..big developments, ahead." He had. always enjoyed the hospitality of Gisborne, people, and would look b.aok to good old times spent here. He thanked the staff and firm for the presehtatibn. (Applause). „. , ' , , The proceedings terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem. .