A WHANGA FUNCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 326, 13 June 1911, Page 8

A WHANGA FUNCTION.

THE OLD AND NEW FIRMS. At Whangamomona Messrs. MeCluggage Bros, entertained the members of their old staff at a dinner, to introduce the new proprietors of the big business and to bid farewell to many tried and trusted friends and employees. Twentyseven all told sat down.

After dinner Mr. Joseph McCluggage, as senior partner, on the firm's behalf heartily thanked all those who had worked for them so loyally during the seventeen years McCluggage Bros, had been in business, lie specially mentioned Mr. David Harley—the first man to enter their employ, whom he was very pleased indeed to see there that night—and had remained with the firm an honored servant right up to the time of selling.. Mr. McCluggage said he was himself a working man and knew and sympathised with the workers' lot. He believed that the keynote of the firm's great success had been the selection of good workmen, the treating of them like men, and paying them good wages. McCluggage Bros, had always acted on these lines, and the results spoke for themselves in the loyalty and splendid service obtained. As regards the members of the firm—the brothers themselves—he might be forgiven if he just said that with them unity ha>i undoubtedly been their strength, and if they had occasionally their little differences oi opinion, audi never went beyond the office, and were not allowed to interfere with the firm's welfare and progress. They had started with not too much capital, and they had done well.

Mr. McC'luggage proposed the toast of the new firm—Messrs. Court and Cottier —who, lie pointed out, were keen and experienced business men, and, in addition, young and energetic. He was sure the staff would find them "jolly good fellows" to work for, and he hoped every member of it would work for the new firm as well as they had worked for iwnself and his brothers.

Mr. F. W. Court, who was applauded on rising, in reply, said the new firm had had taken on a very big hurdle in acquiring the business'of the Messrs. MeCluggagc, which was without doubt one of the biggest retail concerns in Tnranaki. At the end of ten years' time, if they had been anything like so successful as the old firm, he should indeed be proud to .e giving the stall such a dinner as they were now sitting jtownl to.-Poat.