PRESENTATION TO MR A. FRASER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4170, 20 July 1892, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR A. FRASER.

k Souuenir.

At the close of their day's work, the employees of the Masterton Blacksmith and Wheelwright Manufacturing Company yesterday assembled iu . the Company's office, Perry-street, where a testimonial and souvenir was presented to the late manager, Mr Alexander Fraser, who is about leaving on ai trip to the Old Country. Mr A, Chisholm, who was selected to make the presentation, said the employees of the Company could not allow Mr Eraser to leave the district without expressing in some measure the high esteem in which he was hohh (applause). As manager of a new Company Mr Fraser had encountered many difficulties, but all wjjtt agree that through his efforts the success of the business was mainly due (applause). '. He trusted that in the future raaatoj l and men would work amicably together as they had done in the paßt. He (tea read the following testimonial (which had been beautifully'embossed by Mr Mar and illuminated with imitation lieart-of-oak

and forget-me-nots by'Mr Chisholm) signed by the whole of the employees of tlio Company:— "To Mr Alexander Fraser.—We, . the undersigned employees of the Masterlon Blacksmith and Wheel-'*" wright Manufacturing Company, Ltd,, hearing of your contemplated visit to the Old Country, thereby necessitating your resigning "the position of mana- • ger, cannot allow you to depart without asking, you to kindly accept this address and accompanying souvenir aB a small token of our appreciation of your Bierlint; worth in that capacity. We do not wish to gloss over all the little dijfrrenoea which must arise in business, and so unexpectedly large as this has grown in so short a time; rather'would we admit that many rough excrescences had to be rubbed off, and each succeeding one cleared away left the surface smoother to alkTherefore the regret is deeper in loa> ing your valued assistance after going ' through this rough process, for we all bow that it is only by such experl* ences we discover the real worth of ono another in life, In conclusion we would ask you to accept our beat wishes for your future welfare." The testimonial was accompanied by a handsome gold locket, procured from Mr W. Dougall, of Masterton, bearing the following inscription i—- " Presented to Mr Alexander Fraser by the employees of the Blacksmith and Wheelwright Manufacturing Company, Masterton, N.Z., July 16th, 1892. The health of Mr Fraser was then drank with enthusiasm in champagne, bumpers. jL • Mr Fraser, in acknowlslpg the receipt of the testimonial, said he had been taken .completely by surprise. He had not expected anything of the sort, He fully appreciated the value of the presentation, but felt it was altogether undeserved. The business was a young one, and was surrounded by many difficulties, but they had, ho felt sure, got through the worst of the fight, Differences had no doubt existed, hut these had had tho effect of stimulating tbera to do better things (applause). He trusted that the employees would work together in harmony with the new manager (Mr Wallace), and that the business would thrive and prosper as it had*"" done in the jpaet. He heartily thanked those present for their kind wishes, and expressed the hope that he would have the pleasure of meeting them. again on his return from England. (Applause). The company then joined in singing " He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and three hearty cheers for MjpFraser brought the proceedings to raoae.