Stoppage of the Big Pump.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3106, 31 January 1879, Page 2

Stoppage of the Big Pump.

PEESEKTATION TO MR G. BLACK;

This day, the last of the month, HaF| seen the Big Pump and works in connection therewith stopped. The pump indeed stopped working .yesterday- and during the day and up til! noon of this 'day all the workmen have been busily employed making things snug.' The steam capstan was rigged and the buckets were gifted; and.the engines have been cleaned and put in order;] fora long spell of idleness. The engineers, drivers, bracemeh, r&c,, v were paid off this 1 morning* and about noon all the workmen assembled' at the office for the puf pose of making a presehtatida. to 1 Mr George Black, the manager; f :«.4 v ' Mr Heighway was chosen spokesman, and he commenced proceedings by reading the following address :-<- ---; "To 'George; Black, Esq., Manager United Pumping Association; Grahamstown.—Dear Sir,—^We, this undersigned, employees of the United Pumping Association, who have been under your charge for several years past, in severißgour, connectibh with you, and,, the Assbciation oa' this the pecpibn of stopping of, the works, take this ,of, express-f ing to you our appreciation of ypur skill and ability in the management of this important undertaking, ansiof, your consideration for the workmen on all occasions. We feel that cannot let this occasion pass without giving you some mark of pur esteem for you personally, as well as a tribute to your careful supervisipnj of the Works,"aridJipe have great pleasure in asking your acceptance of this address and the accompanying diamond ring as mementos of your connection with this work. We also take this oppertunity to wish you and • Mrs Black' all health and prosperity in your future sphere of life.— We are; &c;, A. Bruce;'John F; Heighway, John S< Hope, David Keid, John Dennerly, A. Wood, JO. B. O'Eeilly, B. Wishart, George Keri", Andrew. Jamieson, John Mace, J. DoWnes^ G. jCbnsfcable, Wm. Constable, James Eussell, John McKae, ft. Mbrrisori."' ! "

Mir Heigh way then handed to Mr Black the address and a valuable diamond ring—a plain hoop of gold, devoid of chacing or engraving, with a single stone set deep in the xipg. The ring bore on the inside this inscription : —"Fiona U.P.A. workmen to G. Black, Esq., Jan. 1879." Mr Heighway accompanied the presentation with a few brief remarks.

MrGr. Black, in returning thanks for the presentation, said he must say it was a thing he had never looked for or expected, but he was pleased to find^the workmen had so good ah opinion of him after bo many years' trial. Me was glad because it showed there was no ill-feeling amongst them. They had been twqrking I together for some years. for the- good of the ship, and there might have been rows I;at times, but they were jsdon forgotten, : and as far as he was concerned he had no feeling of animosity against anyone;' He could say of the workmen that they had acted fairly, and hadl always done a good day's work for ad?iy's pay. There,,had been some talk of mismanagement outside, but that didn't apply\tp the workmen. His (Mr Black's) opinion was that the plant had been as ' well < manned and as well worked as it could be, or would be under any future management. He might: say the workmen had taken him by surprise by the presentation.;" If they had given him some intimation of | their intentions he might have prepared a i written reply to their address. However, he thanked them 'heartily for their handsome present and their good wishes.

At the invitation of the workmen Mr Black and all hands then adjourned to the All Nations Hotel, when, " The HeaUh of Mr and Mrs Black " was drunk in bumpers of champagne, to which Mr Black returned thanks. "The Health of Mr Mcßae" was also honored and responded to, Mr McEae haying been carpenter at the Association's works, we,are, informed, ever since they were commenced. Some further convivialities .were also indulged in, and good wishes for the future exchanged before the workmen separated, many of them having been associated in the employ of the U.P.A. for years past.