Newspaper Article – Wattie chief farewelled

Wattie chief farewelled

The retiring managing director of J. Wattie Canneries, Mr Ray Wattie, was accorded a farewell by 110 people in the company’s staff cafeteria yesterday.

Mr Wattie, who is retiring at the end of the month, said he had only been able to take an early retirement, because the company was in good hands and he had every confidence in the management and staff.

With tongue in cheek, the general manager, Mr Bevan Helm, said Mr Wattie’s retirement marked the end of an era and it was the first time there would not be a “Wattie at the helm”.

Mr Wattie presented 20 members of the staff with gold watches, marking 20 years’ service with the company.

Mr Wattie was presented with a video recorder from the six cannery branches in New Zealand and other presents by the Hastings branch and the Hastings branch Social Club

Photo caption – MR WATTIE, left, is pictured with the Hastings branch manager of J. Wattie Canneries, Mr Barry Davidson.