VALEDICTORY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 213, 23 August 1927, Page 6

VALEDICTORY

POPULAR BANK MANAGER ROTARIAN ROWE FAREWELLED. The members of the Hastings Rotary Club entertained their presidout, Rotarian W. J. Bowe, manager of the Hastings branch of the Bank of N.Z., at a valedictory social in the Has tings Y.M.C.A. rooms last night, on the eve of his departure from Casings to assume the management of the Nelson branch of the bank. Past-President E. J. W. Hallett presided over a large attendance, including Rotarians from Napier, members of the banking profession, members of the Golf Club and of the Boy Scout Committee Past-President E. J. W. Hallett in saying farewell to Rotarian Rowe, expressed, on behalf of the Rotarian Club and of all who knew him, sin cere regret at the departure from amongst them of such a purposeful man. He (the speaker) was satisfied that, when the guest of the even iug had been appointed president he would be a success, because he felt every confidence in him as a man who would make Rotary an active factor in the service of not omy New Zealand, but throughout the world. Since Rotary was formed in Hastings, it had no more loyal supporter than Mr W. J. Rowe who never halted in his loyalty, and in .osrng him, Rotary in Hastings would suffer a loss that would give it a set-back. The speaker particularly referred to Mr Rowe’s work m connection with the Boy Scout movement. Rotary throughout the world took a deep interest in the training of boys to be good citizens and to attain a high standard of honour, aud the Boy Scout activities fulfilled all these ideals. In selecting a man to take on the work here they had no difficulty in selecting “W.J," ami since he took affairs in hand the Scout movement had gone ahead. During his (Mr Rowe’s) recent visit to Australia, be saw a Scout camp on their own ground, which suggested to him that something-like it might be established in Hastings. “W.J.” got to work and secured at a nominal rental 25 acres at Roy’s Hill suitable for the purpose and so the boys from Hastings, Napier and the district, and in fact from all over New Zealand, could make use of it. That camping ground would be a lasting monument to Mr Rowe’s work here. He hoped sincerely that Rotarian Rowe would fit into tho classification of Rotary at Nelson, and so continue a Rotarian there, because Ins associa tion with them would ensure the success of the club.

Referring to Mrs Rowe, Rotarian Hallett said that she took an equal interest in Rotary with her husband and the Rotarians of Hastings deeply regretted her departure from amongst them.

The Past Resident then presented Rotarian Rowe with a beautiful eightday clock, with a female figure in bronze on a marble pedestal, holding the dial aloft, with the pendulum swinging in front, the face of tho clock being suitably inscribed.

Mr R. A. Barnsdale said it was one of the adverse experiences in a banker’s life that he establish himself in pleasant surroundings amongst good friends, and lie had to leave rod go on. It was unfortunate that Mr Rowe had to leave when he was en gaged in such excellent service to Hie Boy Scouls. During his association in busings with Mr Rowe, though they vero in opposition, their relations had been of the most pleasant nature because of the fine spirit that actuated Mr Rowe in all his dealings. He had given great service to the town, and, in this, he upheld the Rotarian motto. “Service before self.” He wished Mr and Mrs Rowe every happiness and prosperity.

GOLF CLUB’S TRIBUTE. Mr L. J. Mackersey on behalf of the Golf Club, spoke of Mr Howe’s capable direction as their caplai’n, and expressed Hie regret of the club at losing him as a member of the executive. He thanked Air Rowe tor his ungruding service, and on oenalf of the Golf Club, he wished Mr and Mrs Rowe happiness and success in Che future. Botarian Edmundson (Napier) congratulated Mr Rome on bis promotion, saying that the Napier business men, as well as the Rotarians, would regret his departure. Botarian Paynter, representing the Boy Scout Committee, said that they would miss Mr Rowe as the chairman of their committee. The acquisition of the Roy’s Hill property was one of the best things that ever befell the Scouts and the Girl Guides in the district, and in the future both bodies would enjoy the benefits to bo derived -from the lease. He congratulated both Mr Rowe and Mr F. Per rin on the work they put tn and ion the success that attended their activities. He wished Mr and Mrs Rowe every success. BOTARIAN BOWE’S REPLY. Rotarian Rowe, in rising to reply, WM received with loud applause.

There was he said no such thing as half ways in Rotary—one must be either in it or out of it. It started amongst a few, and in a small way, in Hastings, Mr Gordon Roach taking the greater part of the burden, but now it was 500 per cent stronger, and •t had reached a stage when it could not go back in Hastings, because of the enthusiasm and energy of the men who carried it on. It was the early presidents who did the spade work and not he and who made the club successful, because, when he was appointed to the presidency he bad only to carry on an organisation which was already running with com plete smoothness, because by the ef forts of his predecessors. Mr Brans dale said they were in oppositionwell, of course they were, but t.ueir relations had been always of the most friendly character. He noted that Mr Barnsdale was leaving Hast iugs on well deserved promotion (ap plause). The feeling that existed between the banks was very line, and he thanked Mr Barnsdale for his kind references. He had enjoyed his as sociation with the Golf Club, as cap tain, because it was a pleasure to him to work with good constructive cxe cutive. Referring to Rotarian Ed mundsoii’s remarks he said that Ko tary made for linking tne world to gether iu a common bond and it would also link Hastings and Napier together in a unity that would result in their mutual welfare. Rotarian Paynter had spoken kindly of his work for the Boy Scouts, but the boot should have been on the other foot, because Mr Paynter had rendereu consistent and capable service by his advice, and practical assistance. Regarding the Roy’s Hill lease, the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, as well as kindred societies, like the Y.M.C.A., could Lave the use of the ground at any time by permission from the trustees. Jn this regard he was glad Mr Paynter mentioned the name of Mr Perrin, because it was Mr Perrin who got m touch with the Rivers Board and succeeded in securing their interest. Mr W. W. Smart, a member of the board, took the matter up, with the result that the lease was being prepared now, and in a month everything would be ready. Mr Perrin deserved his full share of the credit bewas he that thought the idea out, and so was constructive, tn<» sort of man to help to carry things through. SORRY TO LEAVE. He was sorry to leave but in the bank, if one did not leave he did not get on. Leaving Hawke’s Bay. where he knocked about for 20 years was like leaving home. He thanked ’hem all, on his own behalf and on behalf of his wife for their good wishes, saying that the time was coming when women would be. asked to do more than they were doing at present in Rotary and he believed that Rotarian A. E. O’Meara had conceived stime scheme to bring this about. Ho thanked the members of the Rotary Club for their handsome gift and every one present for their kind expressions. In the course of the evening tho following items were contributed:— Instrumental trio Messrs Lord (piano), Rivers (violin), and Maddock (’cello); violin solo, Rotarian E. C. Cliff: recitation Rotarian H. R. French; songs, Rotarians Steele, Edmundson. Mr E. Rivers Mr R. A. Barnsdale; stories, Rotarians Gifford, R. Paynter,' Budd, Redgrave and Bayless. Interspersed were several Rotary choruses.

The evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.