POPULAR OFFICIALS

Southland Times, Issue 22201, 19 December 1933, Page 16

POPULAR OFFICIALS

BANKER AND STATIONMASTER. PRESENTATIONS AT EDENDALE. (From Our Correspondent). Mr R. Archibald, manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Edendale for the past four years, and Mr C. Redpath, stationmaster at Edendale for the past three years, were the guests of honour at a complimentary banquet in the Edendale Public Hall on Saturday evening on the eve of their transfer to Gore and Invercargill respectively. Mr George Dempster, chairman of the Edendale Town Board, presided and associated with him at the head of the table were the guests of the evening, Mr John Dunlop, chairman of the Southland Cool Stores,. Ltd., and member of the Dairy Produce Board; Mr J. C. Mills, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Wyndham; Mr David Tither, and Mr Hall, the new manager of the Bank of New South Wales.

Mr. Dempster said they had met to do honour to two worthy citizens, and he expressed pleasure at the excellent response by the district settlers. The first toast of the evening, that of “A. and P. Interests,” was entrusted to Mr A. W. Crosbie (Wyndham), who said that the agriculturists were deserving of every credit for the manner in which they had developed the country. Mr A. M. Weir, in replying, said it was a well-known fact that the farming interests had been under a cloud for some considerable time, but to-day some daylight was showing over the horizon as far as the sheepman was concerned. However, unfortunately dairying was still in the dark, and there did not appear to be a ray of sunshine hovering near in the meantime. Touching on the rise in wool, Mr Weir referred to statistics and mentioned the loss of something like three million sheep in Africa due to drought and also a like number in Australia. Personally he thought the fear of war was also a big factor in the rise of. wool prices. However, he thought every nation in the world was bankrupt, and unless they went to war with sticks, there was little chance of war, but even so the fear was still apparent. The speaker said he was pleased to be present on such an occasion, as the guests of the evening had proved efficient and capable officers in their respective callings. Mr Archibald, as the district’s bank manager, had had his finger on the pulse of the commercial interests ol Edendalp. He knew more about the difficulties of the farmer and the hardships he was working under than anyone else. He was pleased that Mr Archibald’s successor hailed from Canterbury, as it was well-known that f ? position generally, as far as the farmer was concerned, was 50 per cent, worse in that district than in Southland. Mr A. Campbell also replied to the toast. The chairman, in proposing the toast of “Our Guests,” said that when it became known that Messrs Redpath and Archibald had been transferred to Invercargill and Gore respectively on promotion, the district residents felt they could not let them go away without showing some small tangible appreciation of the esteem in which their bank manager and their stationmaster were held in their different callings. At some time during the past three years most of those present, had had occasion to do business with the guests of the evening. Both had gained the confidence of the public with their courtesy and obliging manner. It was three years since Mr Redpath had been appointed to the position of stationmaster and during his sojourn at Edendale he had undoubtedly looked after the interests of the New Zealand Railways in a faithful and efficient manner. It was a well-known fact that the chief of any concern always had an influence on his staff, and the speaker said he could state without fear of contradiction that their departing guest had infused such enthusiasm into his staff that it was doubtful if a more efficient and obliging staff was in evidence in the department, which spoke volumes for the head. Outside of railway matters Mr Redpath had been actively associated with the Edendale School Committee, Returned Soldiers’ Association, Bowling Club, Tennis Club, and Football Club, and the sincere wish of the residents of the whole district, was that Mr Redpath would continue climbing the ladder of promotion. Mr Archibald had been with them for close on four years and had proved himself a capable and efficient banking official. In carrying out his business duties Mr Archibald had always been easy to approach, and any reasonable request had never been turned down, which resulted in their guest giving satisfaction to a large circle. At Gore he would have more scope and it was hoped that it would not be long before he was again promoted. Their guest, who was not a great public man, had supported everything in the interests of the district. In conclusion, Mr Dempster wished both guests and their wives every success in their new spheres. Mr John Dunlop paid a high tribute to the efficiency and capabilities of Messrs Redpath and Archibald by stating that no stationmaster or banker at Edendale had experienced a more trying and difficult time than had been the case during the past three years. Both the guests of the evening nad been equal to the task, he said. Mr D. Tither, in presenting Mr Archibald with a bronze smoker’s outfit, said he had known the Archibald family for well over 40 years and could speak of their worth with confidence. The late Mr D. Archibald had been one of the Eastern District’s oldest settlers and the owner of one of the best farms on the Otama Flat. Mr H. Raines, in asking Mr Redpath to accept a travelling dressing case and a fountain pen, said that during their guest’s three years’ stay in Edendale the affairs of the New Zealand Railways had been controlled in a most efficient and capable manner. Edendale had never had more efficient service prior to Mr Redpath taking up his duties and that was saying a lot. He had proved exceptionally keen and alert. Several times wool had been despatched by lorry, and on each ana every occasion their stationmaster had investigated the matter to find out why it had not gone by rail. The result was that to-day practically all wool went by rail, which bore evidence of Mr Redpath’s capabilities and efficient control. He had been a keen member of all the local sporting institutions and with Mr Archibald had been the life of the local Returned Soldiers’ Association, their valuable assistance in the latter case being greatly appreciated. Supporting remarks were added by Messrs R. K. McDonald (chairman of the Dairy Company), T. Hickey, W. Irvine, J. S. Lamont, O. Baird, W. Chaplin, H. A. Biss-ett (Edendale Sugar of Milk Company), A. W. , Crosbie (Wyndham), J. Blair, W. Blay (railway staff, who paid a tribute to Mr Redpath as a controlling officer), J. C. Mills (manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Wyndham), J. Dunlop, D. N. A. Macpherson and A. Wilson. Mr Redpath, in replying, said his three years at Edendale had been three of the happiest in his twenty years’ service. He had always endeavoured to please and avoid friction with anybody, realizing that he was a servant of the public, who owned the railways. The remarks of the various speakers made him feel that he had achieved a little success in his position as stationmaster at Edendale. However, of any success he had met with a certain amount was due to his staff, who had always co-operated splendidly. In fact it was the best staff he had the pleasure of associating himself with. Anything he had done outside the railways had been a duty and a pleasure. Mr Archibald, in replying, said hei.

was sorry to be leaving Edendale and the many friends he had made. He had not been a great public man, but always liked to help when he could. While in Edendale his interests had been chiefly outside with the farmers, who had passed through a difficult period. A pleasing feature during his stay in Edendale was that he had not been disappointed on any occasion by any of the bank’s clients, who, if they made a promise, always fulfilled their obligations. Several other toasts were honoured and during the evening items were contributed by Messrs Weir, J. Halliday, D. Macpherson, Cate and Chaplin. The duties of accompanist were carried out by Mr E. Macpherson (Wyndham).