"X" SOCIAL.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13843, 15 October 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

"X" SOCIAL.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

(From "The- Colonist," Ocfc. 4.) ; The annual social promoted b.y the . emplo3-eois of Messrs. Kirkpatrick and Co., Ltd., wihich took place in tho ! Oddfellows' Hall last evening, proved a very successful and enjoyable function. Mr. W. F. Thomson, who has keen in the service of the firm for 29 years, presided. The proceedings took the form of a concert, after which refreshments were provided on a liberal scale. The hall was thon cleared for dancing, and games, etc., were provided for non-danoars. In hia opening remarks the Chairman said that tho social was tho third held by the employees, and it was now regarded as an ' established function. Since -they had last met together socially many changes\ Jiad taken place, -i«>t orily in the facr , . tory,- but. amongst tEe ernpeyees. He made feeling reference to tho de«.th of. Mr T. R. Carins, of tho ofSco staff, and expressed his sympathy wifch those whoss houses liad b-.cw \ wite-d by sorrow and sickness. Mr. Thompson also regretted the absor.ee of My. jiirkpatrick, the manacling -dir«vUr of the firm, and Mr. C. E. Milr;-f-r, the accountant, both of whom had been called away from Nelson by business. Reread npologien for absanco from thespgentlemen ; also from Mr D. N. Hood (inspector of machinery), Mr H. Atmore, M.P., and several others. Mr. • Thomson then -proceeded to refer to the changes that had taken place in tho factory, by the introduction of laboursaving machinery and new plant. Part of the latter had been installed, but a large quantity was still unpacked, and over £1000 worth was now due from America and Australia. When tho la-bour-saving machinery was first introduced it was feared by some that it would mean a reduction in the number of hands, but that had not been thocaso. In putting in up-to-dato machinery Mr. Kirkpatrick had adopted a farsigh'ted policy, for it had enabled them with tho same number of hands - :..to.'meet the increasing demand for the "X" •: manufactures. ; Not. only that, ' ,but,thff labour1 of the wdrkers had beeii, , ■lightened,- and their '.work made more agreeable. In seme eases the output by tho same number of hands had been increased ton-fold. Ho was sure they were all proud to be associated with <u3ch a progressive industry, which was the largest of its kind south of the Line. The Chairman, in concluding his remarks, expressed the hope that all present would thoroughly efijoy themselves. (Applause). _ Songs were contributed by Miss G. Hollyrtian, Messrs A. G. Betts,' A. Taylor and Master Terriss; a rocal duet by Messrs A. Taylor and H. Glover; a'pianoforte solo, by Miss Mabel Thompson;, recitation by Mr W. Urriss; a concertina solo by Mr. J. Lomax; intifruraental, quartette, -by Messrs. •'-Sugh^s, ;Mnrphy,■■.Hansen and Staines; yarns by" Mr. T. A/H.- Meld; an exhibition of- handcuff.■-•-snaoping, ,etc.;, by Mr.'Ti'o: Grant. Mr. .T: Cole, was the miiaicsl director, and Mrs'G. A. -Bay pisml- the accompanim-entg andr-a^^v i^-^Sbd^no dar«ft\ muroo.' Mt, A> ;Yi '.'■■' made aJi efficieitt -MXV "