MESSRS SARGOOD, SON, AND EWEN’S PICNIC.

Evening Star, Issue 3685, 14 December 1874, Page 2

MESSRS SARGOOD, SON, AND EWEN’S PICNIC.

By invite, Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen entertained their employes and a number of personal friends at a picnic at Portobello on Saturday. They had secured the services of the Golden Age for conveying the party both ways, ami she left Dunedin with over 400 on board shortly before eleven o’clock, calling afterwards for those whose engagements rendered meeting the steamer at Port Chalmers more convenient for them. The use of a paddock had been kindly allowed by Mr James Seaton, of Portobello, and every preparation for an enjoyable day suited to the tastes of the visitors was made. There were tents for the ladies, and a large marquee for shelter should it unfortunately have happened that the weather should render its protection necessary. Fortunately the weather behaved on the whole considerately, although there were indications of rain and some slight showers fell. Only once, for a few minutes, did the more careful of the visitors avail themselves of its shelter ; the _ varied programme of sports being carried through .almost without interruption, much to the delight and amusement of the visitors. For the ladies a croquet ground was improvised on an expensive scale in one part, and a dance on the sward in another ; while those who preferred athletic efforts devoted themselves to races of various kinds, or to cricket, quoits, Badminton, Aunt Sally, or football, while the children revelled in rides on a merry-go-round, or in swinging. The last event was a boat race betwe.’U the factorymen and the warehousemen, which was won easily by the latter by about three boats’ lengths. At two o’clock lunch was served alfresco, choice having been made of a gentle slope, which, covered with a sail, enabled tbe ladies to sit with ease and enjoy the welcome refreshments so liberally provided for them. The luncheon being disposed of, Mr E, 13. Martin, in a short and appropriate speech, proposed the health of Mr Sargood and the partners in the (inn. He alluded to his first acquaintance with them, dating back twenty-two years, through the whole of which period he had watched with interest the rapid increase of their establishment, which had now developed so much that most probably in Melbourne and Dunedin not fewer than one thousand persons, representing many families, were employed by them. He trusted that Dunedin would present such attractions to Mrs Sargood that she would at no distant time take up her residence among them. _Mr Sargood, in returning thanks, said that his last visit was too hurried to enable him to carry out his desire to meet the employes of the firm at a social gathering, but he had determined to do so on the first opportunity. Mrs Sargood and some of their family having come over with him, lie determined to avail himself of the occasion, so that she might become acquainted with those associated with her husband in business transactions. With that view he and his partner, Mr Tewsloy, had invited them and those friends by whom he was surrounded, and he assured them he gave them a hearty welcome. He considered gatherings of that character always resulted in good, for although th e main purpose of business was to make money, it should never bo forgotten that employers and employed were of one bone and flesh. _ The mam purpose of his visit to Dunedin this year was to decide upon the plan for a new building about to be erected by the firm, for which they had invited competitive designs. A number had been sent in, and it was to adopt one which he considered would not only be suitable for the business of the firm, but prove an ornament to the City. This was proof that he was not one of those who professed to doubt the future of New Zealand, and especially of Dunedin, which must become its principal port if the same energy and enterprise were displayed in time to come as bad been displayed in the past. He considered that while utility must be the first object with a manufacturing firm in the construction of business premises, it was a duty to aid in the beautification of the City, and although the new building Night not perhaps

lie the largest in these Southern Colonies, it would equal any in elegance of exterior design. Me ti listed that at this time next year he would not only have the pleasure of meeting those present at a picnic such as they had enjoyed that day, hut tint they would have the additional gratification of assembling in the new building, which would in all human probability be then completed. He thanked them for their kind wishes to himself. Mrs Bargood, and family, and only regretted that she would have reason to associate with her first visit to Uumvain, that the children who accompanied her had suffered from sickness since their arrival. However, it was desirable to look on the bright side of circumstances, and, therefore, he anticipated meeting them in twelve mouths with no drawbacks to their mutual pleasure. He should not fulfil his -hity did he forget to name that to Mr James Seaton’s liberality they were indebted for the use of the ground on winch they had enjoyed themselves, and to him, on his own and partners’ behalf, anil on th>> part of tlio.se present he tendered his best I thanks.

Hearty cheers were given for Mr Bargood at the close of Ins address, and for Mr i ewslcy and family, after a few words of welcome t rom that gentleman. The same complim nt was also paid to Mr Seaton for himself and family.