MR. CHARLES RHODES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21346, 22 November 1932, Page 8

MR. CHARLES RHODES

Throughout the city and far beyond it there is a deeply sorrowful sense of loss in the death of Mr. Charles Rhodes. Even those to whom he was not personally known —it was his way to avoid rather than court the publicity that multiplies acquaintances —realise that a sad gap has been made in the front rank of the Dominion's citizenry. His name has long been associated with business enterprises, and will long continue to be. Possessed of wide and deep knowledge of affairs in industry and commerce, he brought to responsible leadership in them a shrewdly penetrative judgment, and made himself a trusted counsellor. It was inevitable that honour should come to him in the form of chairmanships of directorates, and none better than he could elucidate a financial statement and advocate a policy. Yet he was ever eager to see others in such positions, accepting rather than seeking the responsibility that entailed prominence. It is by this that he will be most enduringly and affectionately remembered, a characteristic that made companionship with him an inspiration and delight. Had he chosen, he could have had municipal eminence; one campaign of candidature would have been enough to make his qualifications compellingly renowned. But he shrank modestly from all that savoured of ambitious contest, glad that others should win praise for public service. A special memory declares him: when Rotary came to this country, bringing ideals of uprightness and selflessness already dear to him and an international outlook that promised widening friendship among peoples, his heart ardently approved, and he gave great service to its progress. This splendidly human side of him gave ever quiet but convincing rebuke, for all enjoying his comradeship, to the untruths that business means overreaching others and that life can be measured in money. Honourable, he was honoured; graciously friendly, he was much loved. And thought of him will long sweeten life for all that really knew him.