Retired after Long Service

Carpenter foremen George Stensness and Clive Murdoch drove their last nails for Worth and Weber on Friday afternoon, when their long service was recognized by the staff at a farewell do at the factory.

Of the two, Mr. Murdoch had the longest term of engagement with 45 years to his credit. He started as an apprentice in 1923 with Mr. W. Worth, who later combined with Mr. W. Turner, after which the company of Worth and Weber was formed.

This was continuous service which has been infrequently, if ever, paralleled in this county.

Mr. Murdoch specialised in the construction of private dwellings, and his general and finishing work is most worthy of comment.

Mr. George Stensness started with Worth and Weber in 1942, and has also served continuously ever since.

Under his direction large public buildings were constructed, more recent ones being the Switzer Home, the Bank of New Zealand and the second renovation of the Kaitaia Hotel.

At the function the managingdirector of Worth and Weber Ltd., Mr. F. Weber, spoke of the work of his two right-hand men, who had been loyal to the firm through thick and thin. Bad times or good times, they had always pulled their weight. He presented each with a cheque from the management.

Mr. Jack Brown also spoke on behalf of the staff, and made presentations to each.

Other speakers included Mr. Peter Wilkinson, who divulged the information that the and Clive had both joined the firm as apprentices in 1923, but he left for Auckland after 18 months with them, to become a painter.

“Happy retirement” was the theme of the other speakers.

In their replies to the toasts Clive and George spoke of the many happy years they had spent under Phil Weber’s command, and had never regretted a moment of it.

— April 9, 1968 could not be seen by a Kaitaia Aero Club plane flying over the east coast.

— April 16, 1968