MR W. BANNERMAN’S RETIREMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 2

MR W. BANNERMAN’S RETIREMENT.

PRESENTATIONS BY BANK'S CLIENTS. About 100 prominent business men of (ho city mot in the Savoy Lounge yesterday nftornoon to make presentations to Mr W. Batmorman on the occasion of his retiring from the position of accountant in the Bank of New Zealand. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. J. Sare, P. Y. Wales, 11. D. Stronach, V. Jacobs, and R. Hay. : The Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) .said that he was exceedingly pleased to preside at the function and to speak not only on behalf of the clients of the Bank of New Zealand, but also on behalf of all the citizens of Dunedin. They all regretted very much that their esteemed follow citizen, Mr Bannerman, was retiring from the bank, because they had received'. at his hands many courtesies and kindnesses (hat would always be remembered. He was sure that they would all be very glad to know that Mr Bannerman intended to spend his days of retirement in Dunedin. —(Applause.) Ho was a son of the late Rev. Wm. Bannerman, one of the pioneer Presbyterian ministers of Otago.—(Applause.) , Mr Bannerman started his career in the Colonial Bank in which ho served for 21 years. When that bank had amalgamated with thfl Bank of New Zealand Mr Bannermn joined the latter, and had been with it. for about 28 years. Ho had therefore 49 years of faithful and honest service to his,credit—a record of which any man might be proud. Tho suggestion that the presentation should bo made had been received with the greatest enthusiasm, and to it there had been over 100 subscribers. One of the subscribers, in an accompanying letter, had said: "May he long be spared to enjoy his retirement." In addition to showing courtesy and kind.ness to male clients, Mr Bannerman had had "a winning way with the ladies." One lady had written as follows, in forwarding a subscription: "With best wishes to our esteemed friend, Mr Bannerman, whom I havo always found so nice when I have liad occasion to approach him."—(Laughter.) The speaker added that he had been asked by the Town Clerk and the City Treasurer to express, on their behalf, their great regard for Mr Bannerman and their appreciation of his kindness and courtesy. On behalf of the clients of the bank he asked him to accept as tokens of their esteem a silver tea and coffee set and a wallet containing a, substantial sum of money. He hoped that Mr Bannerman would always, remember, the many friends that he had made in the servico of the bank, and trusted that he would be spared long to enjoy good health, happiness, and prosperity. Mr Tapley read the inscription on the tray of tea and coffee sot which is as follows: "Presented to William Bannerman, Esq., by clients of the Bank of New Zealand on the occasion of his. retirement from the Bank in recognition of his unfailing courtesy and integrity extending over many years." Mr Bannerman was, on rising to accept tho gifts, greeted with hearty applause and tho singing of 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." _ .1.1 Sir George Fenwick said that it had always been a pleasure for him to attend a. function of that kind. He had pleasant recollections of having attended several functions at which bank officials, after years of faithful service, had been honoured by their fellow-citizens. They all knew that a bank manager's duties were often onerous, unhappy, and unpleasant. He had no doubt that, "had Mr Bannerman wished it, he could long ago havo attained a position of higher trust, but he had not desired to undertake the additional responsibility and .unpleasantness that went with such a position. Through long yea.rs of connection with the bank, said Sir George, he had always/^fouri'dMr" Bannerman the same courteous and obliging man, who, at the same time, liad always dorio his duty to tho bank. He'wished him every possible prosperity and happiness in the future. Mr G. L. Denniston endorsed what the previous speaker had said. Hot had respected Mr Bannerman for his constant geniality, and joined with tho others in wishing him a happy and prosperous future. Messrs D. E. "Thepmin and ■s. Solomon also spoke in euldgistic terms of the setvices of Mr.Bannerman', and Mr F. W. Mitchell, as V!; colleague' of long standing, referred to the assistance which their guest had always been willing to give to felloweniployees, and especially to juniors. Mr Bannerman said that he could not have conceived such a gathering in his honour. It had completely overwhelmed him, and he couljj- only thank them for their kind words and'their handsome sentations ■ Mr Tapley then introduced Mr C. A. Thompson 1 as Mr Barinerman's successor. Mr Thompson had' formerly been assistant accountant; at Dunedin, and for {the last three years' had been; manager at Queenstown ' He felt.'sare that ; Mr Thompson would live up ', to' the', traditions of his predecessor.- and that in-the distant future they would :blj, able ti>'say -of him what they had said of Mr' Bannerman - that day. ■■• Mr Thompson, in replying,' said that he would do his utmost to follow the course that his predecessor had taken, and would have great pleasure in doing all he could to assist bank olients and the public generally. He endorsed what Mr Mitchell had said with regajrd to Mr Bannerman's assistance to his fellow employees. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the function. :