MR. J. MARCHBANKS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1932, Page 12

MR. J. MARCHBANKS

A RESPECTED CHIEF

TWO PRESENTATIONS

HARBOUR BOARD STAFF

Every branch of the Harbour Board's staff was represented in. an attemlalico of BOmO 150 persons in Shed No. 10 yesterday evening when Mr. J. Marrhbanka was presented on behalf of the staff \vith a handsomo 8-day onyx clock, with modern oblong dial, on the eve of his retirement from tho position of General Manager and Chief Engineer of tho board. , , Mr. A. W. 0. Travors, assistant accountant, presided, and all grades of the staff we*o represented on the platform. ' ' . ' Tho chairman spoke of thfc splendid services rendered to tho board by-Mr. March banks. Since'the constitution of tho board in 18,80, ho said, there had been only lour chief executive officers, Mr. H. M, I-yon, 1880-1884, Mr. W. ttt* gusofl, 1884-1908,. *tr. H. E. Nicholls (who was present) 1008-1924, and their present General Manager. Mr. Frank Ward, who made the presentation, said thftt it WM fitting that they should gather to farewell their chief, also to offer for tils acceptance v sinftll gift in token pi the respect in which ho was held. During his connection with tho board >» activities, many important changes and improvement! had been effected, arid the itaff bad coma to" look on him. with respect, not only for hk ability, but pt hiii kindly manner to the laij* itatf/tinder his control. They felt that .they had been treated with the utmost -justice by. him on all occasions, and they welcomed the opportunity-of. . expressing their appreciation of it.v Perhaps it «mld not bo said that,they had altogether, evad> ed the shadow of the depression, but they felt that their lot compared more than favourably with that "of Other large institutions. It should perhaps be noted that the hands and figures on their gift were picked out irt gold, and that might bo taken to Bignify the mellow nature of the future they wished him. It was the custom to refer to hours of happiness as golden. He asked Mr. Marchbanks to accept the gift with tho wholehearted good Wishes of the staff for happy years of retirement and prolonged good health, to swing his clubs on the golf couraeV HAPPY RELATIONSHIPS. Mr. Marchbanks said he felt rather overcome at this gathering. He thanked Mr. Travers for jWhat he had said and the nice way in which he had said it, and equally Mr. Ward, though many of the things said were quit© undeserved. So far as his relationships with the staff were concerned, they had been exceedingly happy. It was Bomo 23 years since h» joined the Harbour Board, and even from tho earliest times ho was very much taken with the staff, tho esprit de corps that prevailed, ahd tho desire of all employees to do the very best for the board. His relations with all the- officers had been of the happiest, and from executive officers he had had the greatest-assistance. Without their willing assistance and co-oper-ation he could, not have done very much. He had been ift harness quits a long time/ and it was/time he got out "In timesltfdne past we1 have had depressions similar to that we have now," said Mr. Marchbanks, "but they blew over; I remember several of them, but in due course they disappeared, and though thif one may take, longer,,l am certain that Wellington,will be, able to hold her own, and will recover in time." Mr. Marchbanks said that the staff need have no diffidence in approaching. Mr. A. G. Barnett, the chief executive officer, on any occasion they might wish to consult him on any matter relating to the work, as he would give them a fair hearing, and straighton things out, as he himself had always tried to do. He hoped that things would be perfectly all right with them in 'a short time. 'Cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Marchbanks ended the proceedings. A At & meeting of executive officers and senior members of Ahe'stalfc earlier in the afternoon, Mr. M.urchbanks was presented with a handsome solid silver salvor. , - ' ' ".'_ TBU? FBIEWB AND COUNBBLL7JR.

Mr. Barttett1 said they -were losing ft chief who,-while carrying out his duty to' the board, had been a true friend and counsellor td his officers. Pair in his judgments, wise In his counsels, and considerate in all his dealings, he had enjoyed their esteem and affection. No one had. more deierve<f the rest he was now taking. M« wished Mr.- and Mr* Marehbankg n*ppinejia, health, and con-