PRESENTATION TO MR J. A. RIEDLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 12

PRESENTATION TO MR J. A. RIEDLE.

A complimentary dinner given by em ployees of the various branches of th« Dresden Piano Company to Mr J. A. X Riedle on his retirement from the manage I ment of the Dunedin branch proved a ver pleasant function on August 31. Between 21 and 30 eat down to an excelle>ntly-serve< dinner at Hoplcins's rooms. The chair wa taken by Mr R. Benr.ell, the act in j j manager for the company. After the toas «f "The King" had been loyally honoured, The Chairman, in proposing the toaei of " Our Gueet," referred to Mr Riedh as the gentle-man who during the past 2f years had built up the business of the Dresden Company, the foundation of which he had laid. Since then the business hac extended throughout Otago and Southland, and subsequently to the. East and Wesi Coast towns, untii the company was brought to its present leading position. The company was now established in 6C towns, and had 258 emplojees. This result had been brought about by the ability of thqir chief, whom they had met that night to honour.. (Applause.) Mr Riedle waa not only a good business man himself, but he had the not common power of attracting good men to him and getting out of them the best that wa-> in them. While doing this, Mr Riedle had always a good word and a happy face for those under him. — (Applau6e.) The chairman then asked Mr Riedle to accept an address from, the eniploye€s and a diamond brooch for Mrs Riedle. The acMre&s was artistically illuminated and handsomely bound, and contained the signatures of a large number of employees. The wording was as follows : — Dear Sir, — On the occasion of your retiring from the Dreeden Piano Company, wifih whioh you have "been associated as manager for the past 26 years, we, tl?e undersigned, desire to express the high esteem in which you have always been he'd. "We regret exceedingly your letirement, fince we lose thereby a firm friend, a kiml'iy master, and an earnest promoter of the harmony of the staff: qualities which have endeared - you to one and all. In the discharge of your managerial duties you have displayed aii ability and a clcse attention to the thousand-and-one details which, ensure success, and this reflects the utmost credit upon your career, aoid has earned for you the fullest confidence and respect. Your well-known charity and generosity, your constant courtesy, your genial kindness, and your readiness to assist your subordinates have made our relations of the happiest nature; while your knowledge and experience have been so free'y at our service that no member of the staff has felt the slightest hesitation in seeking your advice That Mrs Itiedle ard yourself may long be spared to enjoy your wellearned rest is the sincere and heartfelt wish ol youn o!d associates, and we trust health, and happiness m«y bless your future. Mr Riedle, in responding, said it gave him great pleasure to know that he had enjoyed the respect and goodwill of the employees Iduring the time it had been his duty to look after them. It was sad to have to part after to long a connection, but he hoped members of the staff would continue to give as faithful service in the future ac they had given to the company in the past If they did so, the future success of the company would be assured. On behalf of Mrs Riedle, ho thanked them for their handsome gift and the kind things that had been said about her. These he was certain would be fully appreciated In conclusion, he would say au revoir, but not gcjri-bye, for he trusted to meet them again. —(Loud applause ) Mr Ripdle, before sitting down, proposed the health of Mcpsrs W. D. Orchard and A. F. Robert=ha\v. These gentlemen responded, and referred in very appreciative terms to their intercourse with Mr Riedle. The toast of " Our Friends " was propo=*»d by Mr Robertshaw, and was of such a. drag-net character that it included everybody in the room. It was responded to by Messrs M'Leod, Haddock, De Mans, and ; 3thc!T6. The musical part of tho programme was juite worthy of the occasion, and included solos by Mesers A. Harrison, J. Jago, A. R. Robertnhaw, M'Namara, and De Maus. The quartets contributed by Messrs Harrison. Falck, Jago, and Pacey delightfully varied thcJ mu.-ical itf>ms. Mr De Maus rave a topical sketch re the Dresden Comjany, and Mr P. J. Blackman contiibuted lumorous musical sketches. Mi- Pacey at ;he piano accompanied the singers in an ;ffective manner. The pleasant gathering ivas brought to a clone by the singing of ' Auld lang syne" in the most convivial spirit.

Mr H. F. Chaffey, now of Christchurch, kas patented a new shape of water heater, rjone-shaped, like a coffee-pot, it has a Large inner cone open top and bottom, leaving a water space all round about an inch wide, co that it has a large interior heating space, and whether over a coal Eire or a gas jet, water boils in it very