A POPULAR BANK MANAGER.

Lake County Press, Issue 2990, 17 May 1923, Page 2

A POPULAR BANK MANAGER.

Mr C.«A. Thompson Entertained.

Mr 0. A. Thompson, who has occupied the position of manager of the Queen - town Branch of the Bank ol New Zealand for the past four yeara, and who was recently promoted to the position of accountant in the Duoedin branch of the Bank, was entertained at a valedictory gathering in the Council Chambers, Arrowtown, ou Saturday afternoon. The Mayor elect (Mr H Q Bruce) presided, and there was a large and representative attendance of Arrow constituents of the Bank. Mr J P White, who succeeds Mr Thompson as manager of Queenstown, wa"s also present.

The Chairman said he was pleased to see suoh a large number present to do honour to their friend Mr Thompson. The announcement of Mr Thompson's departure had been received with regret by tbe bank's clients in Arrowtown and distriot, and although they were pleased to hear of his promotion, they were very sorry to part with him (Applause). Bhortly after Mr Thompson had taken charge of the looal branch of the Bank the" slump" took place, and Mr Thompson musk have experienced an anxious time. However, Mr Thompson had oome through the ordeal successfully, a faot that had been proved by his substantial promotion. Both aV'a bank manager and a private citizen Mr Thompson had been exceedingly popular in Arrow, town. In bis official capacity hia advice and assistance had at all times been placed at the disposal of his clients, while as a private citizen he had done all in his power to help along the community. (Applause). Mr Bruce then presented Mr Thomp. son with a travelling rug, which he asked him to accept as a slight tangible token of the esteem in which he was held by the Bank's clients in Arrowtown and distriot.

The toast of the health of Mr and Mrs Thompson was then given with musical honours.

Mr Romans said he had much pleasure in endorsing the chairman's referenoes to Mr Thompson's popularity as a bank manager. Possessed of a genial disposition Mr Thompson was at all times a "good fellow " and he invariably met his clients with a cheery greeting. The people of Arrowfcown were sorry to lose Mr Thompson, and he wonld carry with him to his new home their best wishes for his future success and happiness. During the four years that Mr Thompson had occupied the position of local manager he had rendered faithful service to the Bank aud its clients, and he (Mr Romans) felt sure that he would capably fill the important position to which he had been promoted. (Applause). Mr R M Paterson joined with the other speakers in congratulating Mr Thompson on his promotion and wishing him every future success. He referred to the anxious time that had been experienced by the banking profession during the "slump," but now that things had again reaohed normal they could look back on the pa3t with equanimity. In his opinion the " slump " had done some good, inasmuch as it had taught farmers and others to be careful in their speculations.

Mr Wm Reid (Chairman of the Lake Oonnty Council) said h9 had pleasure in endorsing the references made to Mr Thompson by the other speakers. Mr Thompson had been a courteous and obliging bank officer and had gained the esteem and respect of his clients. Of couse bank managers did not have a free hand, and occasionally clients were not able to obtain all they wanted but perhaps in many instances it was just as well for themselves that they were unable to do so (Laughter). He had had many business dealings with Mr Thompson and had found that if he made a promise he always kept it. That fact had no doubt contributed to Mr Thompson's success as a banker. Mr Peter Reid also referred to Mr Thompson's genial personality and success as a bank manager. Reference had been made to the slump in values that had taken place bat he (Mr Reid) felt sure that Mr Thompson's experience during the past three years would prove of inestimable value to him in his fa. ture banking career. Mr Thompson had come through the ordeal exoeedi ingly well, and he was leaving the dis! tricfc with the appreciation and respeot of his clients and the publio generally. (Applause).

Mr Leo Leo joined with the other speakers in expressing regret at Mr Thompson's impending departure from the district. While Mr Thompson had baeu in charge at Queenstown, the Dominion had been overtaken by the worst slump in its history, and bankers must have experienced an anxioug time. Bank managers were being badgered by their clients for more money, and if they advanoed-it they wer j taken to task by their head offioes Mr Thompson had endeavoured to assist the farmer and the pastoralist as far as lay m his pq<ver, and bad be been iu charge of the banking affairs of the district in a time of prosperity be would have done a great deal more (Applause).

Messrs D Maoleod, T J Cotter, 0 Ross, John RtiJ, J Forbes and A Jopp also referred in complimentary terms to Mr Thompson and expressed tho«

regret that he was leaving the district. On rising to reply Mr Thompson was rect-ived with prolonged applause He said be had had an exceedingly plesant tim? during his three years' residence in the Wakatipu district, and he very muob regretted having to leave so many good friends. He paid a tribute to the peoole of the district generally, and b»v 'hat as far as the Bank's clients we. i concerned he could not wish to m> finer or more solid business men \t. .;as speakers that afternoon had rel .'dd to the slump but he thought th< Wakalipu district had escaped HgbMy, the reason being that land valuo« had not previously been inflated unduly as in other parts of New Zealand As far as the Wakf.tipu was concerned the ftlump was already a thing of the past find he prcdioted a successful future for farmers and pastoralists. He thanked the people of Arrowtown for the vory nice and useful present that had just been handed him, and also the various speakers for their kind remark-? and their good wishes. Should any of his friends visit Dunedin and require assistace in business matters, he wou'-} he very pleased to place his services at their disposal. (Loud applau-e). The toast of the health of Mr White, Mr Thompson's successor, was proposed by Mr Paterson, who said that their new bank managar had come to them from Clinton very highly recommended. On behalf of those present he extended a hearty welcome to Mr White, and expressed the hope that he would like the Lakes distriot and its people. In returning thanks for the cordial welcome that had been extended to him Mr White said he felt that if he did not prove a suocess in bis new position it would be his own fault. His predecessor had set a high standard, andif he (Mr White) could maintain the traditions established by Mr Thompson he would be quite satisfied. He intended to identify himself, as far &3 lay in his power, with the interests of tho district and its people. (Applause). The toaßt of the health of the Chairman was proposed by Mr Maoleod, and an enjoyable gathering closed with cheers for Mr and Mrs Thompson. Afternoon tea, kindly provided by Mrs Jno. Forbes, was then banded round, and was greatly appreciated by all present.