55½ YEARS' SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 16

55½ YEARS' SERVICE.

"PRESS" EMPLOYEE RETIRES. After 55i years' service on the Christchurch Pkes3, Mr Frederick Murray Dunn, who is 82 years of age, has retired. Yesterday afternoon there was a largo assembly in tho news room, when a presentation was made to the oldest employee of the Company. Mr A. J. Benzie, manager of the jobbing department, apologised for the absence of the general manager, Mr A. M. Burns. He said that there was a feeling of sadness among those gathered round the "stone" to pay their mark of appreciation to Mr Dunn. He had joined The Press in 1864, and, with a break of ten years, had been with the Company ever since, as compositor, and latterly as reader in the jobbing department. Mr Dunn could no doubt recall many happy experiences of the early days of The Prest when the compositors worked by candle-light. He left the office carrying away with him the esteem and respect of every employee. His record of 55i years' service in The Press and 6(3 years as a compositor in the Dominion, was one which could not be equalled. On behalf of the assembled employees, Mr Benzie presented Mr Dunn with a wallet with bank-notes enclosed.

Mr Arthur Cant, speaking for the commercial staff, recalled his own association with Mr Dunn over 40 odd years. He left the office with the goodwill of all the employees, and could look with pride on a period of service which Sew were likely to equal. Mr H. Kent, on behalf of the news room, spoke of his own friendship with Mr Dunn during 50 years. He had seen The Pkess grow from a small fourpage paper to 28 pages. Mr Kent mentioned that next month Mr and Mrs Dunn would celebrate the diamond jubilee of their wedding. Mr J. Eussell Brunt, who has been with The Press since 1870, also spoke iu appreciation of Mr Dunn's' qualities of industry and good-fellowship. Mr G. Angus, who had known Mr Dunn all his life, wished him many years of well-earned leisure before he handed in his proof to tho Great Reader. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Dunn after Mr Dunn had returned thanks.

A sow of tho Largo White breed, Eye Queen 10th. died recently at the age of 16 years 7 months. The National Pig Breeders' Association believe this to be a record for longevity in a ■-ow that has continued to produce litters of strong, healthy pigs up to the last year of Tier life. Unfortunately, complete records of all the pigs produced by her are not available, but the owner has particulars of sixteen litters—nine between May, 1911, and Slnrch, 1916, and seven from October, 1921, to September, 1925. Details were not kept from 1916 to 1921. It is safe to say, however, that this wonderful sow must have farrowed l>etween 200 and 250 pigs during her lifetime.