Presentation to Mr W. C. Breakell.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4481, 28 October 1909, Page 2

Presentation to Mr W. C. Breakell.

A social function took place at Kerepeehi on Saturday evening last, the occasion being the presentation of a purse of sovereigns and case of pipes and to say good-bye to Mr W. C. Breakell, late engineer in charge of the drainage works on the Hauraki Plains, who is leaving the district.

The present engineers in charge had been invited to attend, but were unavoidably prevented from doing so through business engagements. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk, also success to the Hauraki Plains, and the guest of the evening. Several present spoke of the good feeling that had always existed between Mr Breakell and those under him.

Mr Breakell in his reply thanked those present for their generous gift and good wishes. He said that although sometimes it may have been thought he was hard he had done his duty, but without their assistance he could have done nothing. He also spoke his views on the labour question, stating that capital could not do without labour, nor labour without capital, so that one was dependent on the other. He condemned the labour unions which prevented a man from working under a fixed wage, stating “that when a man joined a union he gave away his independence and desstroyed his individuality,