BAIRD'S, LTD. HOLDS STAFF DINNER IN HASTINGS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 6, 22 January 1937, Page 14

BAIRD'S, LTD. HOLDS STAFF DINNER IN HASTINGS

TWENTY-FIRST BIRTHDAY Tke members of the staff of Baird's (Hugh Baird, Ltd.) and their wives, were ihe guests of the proprietor, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Baird, at a dinner held at the Pacific Hotel, Hastings, followed by a visit to the Regent Theatro pictures, last Wednesday, that being the 21st birthday of the firm. Guests to the number of over fifty were reeeived by Mr. and Mrs. Baird in the hotel lounge. Speaking to a toast to their hosi; and hostess, Mr. A. Wells, on behalf oi' the stafi?, thanked them most hea,rtily ior their Mndness and generosity in arranging such a delightful evening, and offered sincere congratulations on the attainment of the firm's 21st birthday, on which oecasion every member of the stafi; with one year's. service or more had reeeived a birthday bonus, consiscing of a sum oi money for each year of service. Mr. Wells said that they were all very proud and happy to be in the service of the firm. These remarks were endorsed by Mr. B. Wallis for the Waipukurau staffi. Mrs. E. Millson presented Mrs. Baird with a lovely sheaf bouquet, and Mr. P. Norman, on behalf of the staff asked Mr. and Mrs. Baird to aecept a silver imperial entree dish and scone tray, suitably inscribed for ihe occasion. Mr. Hugh Baird, in thanking the members of the stafit' for honouring the toast to the firm, gave a short resuuio of the aetivities of Baird 'a, in which he said: — • :- "I took over the business 21 ycars ago to-day — January 20, 1916. We were stoek-taking until three in the morning and I was dpwn to open for business at 8 a.m. with just a little apprehenfiion and rather ner\ous as to the wisdom of the step from wholesale oxperience to retail; — but never ven ture nevfcr win— and it proved a good step for me. "I would like to take this opporfunity of paying tribute to the wondojfully encouraging help of my wife who. although not aetively engaged in ihe business, was always ready to help with aonstructive advice and she has in nn .imall measure helped to make the business the succoss it became. In thn early days of the business Mrs. Baivd and I in the evenings wrote the adver' tisements and every uight checked tlm dockets — fortunately, we were not conlined to a forty-hour weelr . "The business was one of the two f»Idest established stores in Hastings. In 1916, when it became Baird's, thero were 14 of a stafi?; now we havo just ou 50 with a pay roll of several thousands a year. The firm has grown with the growth of Hastings and Hawhe's JBay. In the good years I always sbared the profits Vith my staff by givmg bonuses to every member. The firm has always supported all charitabl'e obiocts and every effort for the welfare of the riistriet, realising of courso that pro«perity for the district means prosperity .for all. "To cny present stafi? I would liku to say that I hope we will continue to work cordially for many ypars to come. 1 will endeavour to do my part and, naturally, I will look to you to do yours in return. In Mr. Wells I hav»: a manager of outstanding integrity and in whom I have the greatest confidenee. He has been with me for twenty year* — just one year less than the age of the firm, and I would like to thank you. Mr. Wells, for your loyal support. "Mr. Norman has been in charge Oi the clothing, men's and boys' wear departments, for 19 years and ha's always retahxed his genial and excellent salesmanship. Mrs. Millson has been 1? years in charge of our ladies' section and has always given of her best. MrWallis has had control of the Waipukurau branch (wliich was opened in February, 1928) for the past eight years, and has capably and satisfacterily carried out his duties. "Other valued members have served as follows — Miss Riley eight years, Mr. Peterkin eight years, Miss Reidy eight years, Mr. Hopkins six years, MisS Farmery five years, Miss Renouf fivo years, Miss Maloney five years, and Miss Findlay five years. Others havo served from four years downwards. . "It has been an added pleasure on this occasion to give to each member of the staffs of both the Hastings and Waipukurau businesses a eheque for au amount representing the number «f years they have been in my employ. "To the farmers of Hawke's Bhy and the people in the towns and the surrounding districts I wish to express my sincere thames for the support they have given to the firm during the past twenty-one years. J am sure I can speak for every member of the staff when I say the firm will endeavour to do its utmost to warrant the support and conlidence of the huying publie by strict business integrity and efimient service. "I thank you for honouring the toast to- the firm of Baird 's. ' '