POPULAR BANKER FAREWELLED BY GISBORNE FRIENDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23219, 3 April 1950, Page 8

POPULAR BANKER FAREWELLED BY GISBORNE FRIENDS

Warm personal regard for Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Simpson was expressed by a substantial gathering of business people on Friday, on the eve of their departure to take up residence in Hastings consequent upon the transfer of Mr. Simpson from the Bank of New Zealand managership in Gisborne to the parallel appointment in the Hawke's Bay centre. The gathering included a large number of clients- of the bank and other persona! friends of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, and Mr. F. Tolcrton in opening a series of tributes to the guests referred to their three and a half years’ residence in the district as a period of marked progress in relations between the bank and its customers. In his managerial post Mr. Simpson had shown outstanding capacity both as a business man and a reliable consultant said Mr. Tolerton, and in his private life he had won immediate popularity in social activity and sport. Departure Regretted Mrs. Simpson had been equally popular. and undoubtedly had contributed to tiie success with which her husband's term as Gisborne manager had been associated. All their friends would regret their departure from Gisborne, and would look forward to renewing acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Simpson from time to time in the future. Other speakers included Messrs. H. D. Chrisp. H. C. Gregory, H. Witters, and H. H De Costa, who spoke of various activities in which they had been associated with Mr. ahd Mrs Simpson. Mr. Gregory spoke for fellow-managers of banks in Gisborne, and referred to the excellent relations to which Mr. Simpson had contributed during his tooshort stay in the district.

Enjoyable Stay in Gisborne

Acknowledging the presentation of a substantial token of their regard and the many good wishes showered upon him and Mrs. Simpson, Mr. Simpson remarked that neither the gift nor the personal testimonials were at all necessary to fix in their minds the warm regard they held, on their part, for Gisborne and its community. But for family reasons which had to be considered, he said, they would have been well content to remain permanently in this district, where they had found a cordial .welcome on their arrival and where every day. had brought new evidence of the good feeling of Gisborne people towards them. His experience in the business community here had been most interesting and enjoyable, said Mr. Simpson, and in sports and social activities they had found exceptional opportunities for profitable use of their leisure. He felt that they would not be fin.ally severing their Gisborne associations, and that there would be many occasions both here and in Hawke’s Bay for renewing the dinks that had grown so strong in the past three and a half years.