PRESENTATION.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 206, 5 February 1875, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

A very interesting gathering took place Thursday afternoon at the office of the Prisss, the occasion being the presentation to Mr C. A. Pritchard (the managing director), by all the employes of-the Press, of a mark of the esteem and respect in which he is held by them, and in recognition of the kindly consideration always evinced by Mr Pritchard towards those employed on the staff. Mr Pritchard being about to take a tour to England for the benefit of his health, it was resolved by the employes to express to him in a taneible way the estimation in which he is held by those who have worked under him for some years past. The whole staff, including every department, mustered in the new jobbing composing room shortly after 4 p.m, when Mr W. H. Smith, after briefly stating that they had met to wish Mr Pritchard God speed on his homeward voyage, requested Mr J. Oolborne-Veel to take the chair. Mr Yeel said that he had been deputed on the part of the entire staff of the Press,, as being the oldest inhabitant of the office, to request Mr Pritchard’s acceptance of a small token of their regard and esteem. He was totally unused to panegyric, indeed, from the very nature of the office he held, this was quite out of his line, as editors never spoke well of anybody. But on this occasion he felt that he was sp aking the feelings of all those who had worked with him when he said that Mr Pritchard had won for himself the goodwill and respect and esteem of everyone in the establishment. The presentation he had to make on the part of the employes was not, it was true, worth much as regarded the mere value of it, but it would serve to remind Mr Pritchard when in the old country of the many warm friends he had left behind him in New Zealand, and whose good wishes for his safe voyage and speedy return, restored to health, would accompany him. (Cheers.) Under Mr Pritchard’s management, the paper had prospered and grown. There were to be seen signs of material and lasting prosperity around them, not the least of which was the fact that on that afternoon their new large machine had started for the first time. To the untiring energy and business tact of Mr Pritchard, assisted by the other gentlemen who directed affairs, was due the present prosperity of the paper, and he trusted that when Mr Pritchard returned from England, he would find them prospering still more, [Cheers.] He had now the pleasure on behalf of those assembled to request Mr Pritchard to accept a silver cup bearing an inscription and a gold cigarette holder, and he trusted that when he was far away they would serve to remind him of the friends he w«s leaving behind him. [Loud cheers.]

The cup, which is of solid silver, bears the following inscription:—“ Presented to C, A. Pritchard, Esq, in token of the respect and esteem in which he is held by the employes of the Press, Feb 4, 1875.” The cup and cigarette holder were manufactured by Mr Sandstein, the latter being from N.Z. gold, and bears the monogram “C. A. P.” and date. The engraving is very creditable, the repr- sentaiion of the printing press particularly being excellently done. The chairman having called upon those present to fill their glasses, gave them the “ Health of Mr Pritchard, a safe voyage and speedy return.” which was drunk with musical honors and three times three. Mr Pritchard, who on rising was warmly received, said that he had been so thoroughly taken by surprise that he hardly knew what to say, except to thank them for the kindly feeling which had prompted their very handsome present. He looked upon the success which had attended the PRESS as due mainly to the efficient help he had received from all connected with the various departments, and the good feeling which existed throughout the establishment, all having the one object in view—the good of the paper. This had been the secret of the success, and he felt proud of being connected with an establishment such as the one to which they all belonged. [Cheers.] His absence would only be for a short time, and he trusted when he returned, to find the same cordiality, the same .good feeling, existing between the various departments that now existed, and that the paper was still further advanced in material prosperity. He thanked them heartily for their handsome present, and could assure them that ]ie should always remember their kindly expressions towards him. [Cheers.] The health of the chairman and board of directors was then proposed, and Mr B. C. J. Stevens briefly responded, eulogising the services rendered to the paper by Mr Pritchard, and also by all the various departments of the staff; He trusted that ere long Mr Pritchard would be amongst them again with recruited health, and he could only re-echo the wish that his voyage might be pleasant, and that he would return speedily. The party then broke up.