MR.JOHN KERSHAW RETIRES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2958, 22 December 1916, Page 8

MR.JOHN KERSHAW RETIRES

'» ;: .". ; OLDEST EMPLOYEE .OP THE GAS COMPANY. Yesterday evening the employees, of the Wellington Gaa Company met at the company's lecture hall to bid formal good-bye to Mr. John Kershaw, the foreman of the semes laying staff, who is retiring from active work after being in the service of the company for a peripd of dO years, being, in fact, the oldest present employee. Opportunity wni taken of the occasion to present Mr. Kershaw, on behalf of the employees generally, with a purse of sovereigns, and on behalf of his own 6taS with a gold-mounted fountain pen. Mr. Ferguson, the managing direotor, who made the presentations, referred in highly-appreciative terms to Mr. Kershaw's long and honourable service, which began when the' company was a small concern, and had been continuous until it had reached the large and successful industry of to-day. During the many years t>at he (Mr. Ferguson) had known Mr. Kershaw ho had always found him a good and' capable citizen, and he knew that throughout his long connection with the company Mr. Kershaw had retained the goodwill of his fellow-employees, and on his ceasing active work the directors had not forgotten to mark their appreciation of his services in a substantial way. Mr. Ferguson assured Mr. Kershaw that ho was leaving the employ of the company with his own and all the employees' best wishes, all hoping that his future years would be prosperous and happy. Mr. A. Dougall (general manager), Mr. J. H. Helliwell (secretary), Mr. A. Jeffreys (of Mr. Kershaw's staff), Mr. E. B. Parsons, and Mr. Kraft, also spoke in eulogistic terms _of Mr. Kershaw's work and hfe association with the employees. Mr. Kershaw, in replying, said lie felt very deeply the severing of his connection with the company, which began in 187G, and was now ending. During all the long period of his service he had watched the development of the company wtth interest, and it had always been his aim and desire to do what he could to assist its progress. He was much gratified to think that his association with the employees had always been of the most friendly and he was ?lad that on retiring he carried with him the goodwill and appreciation of all those with whom he had worked, and ho trusted that the prosperity of the comnany would long continue. The proceedings, which were marked by great cordiality, terminated with hearty cheers for Mr. Kershaw, and the sinking of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow."