POPULAR BANKER

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7017, 9 February 1949, Page 6

POPULAR BANKER

TRIBUTES PAID TO MR SCHOFIELD RETIREMENT MARKED BY PLEASANT FUNCTION Tributes of a very high standard were paid to Mr R. G. Schofield, who has retired from th? position of manager of the Bank of New South Wales, at a farewell function held in th? Te Awamutu Hotel on Monday afternoon. The large gathering of business, professional men and farmers was in itself a striking tribute to the guest, while the speeches and the substantial gifts gave added emphasis to the esteem in which Mr Schofield is -held. The chairman of the afternoon was Mr N. V. Marshall and among the guests were Mr J. E. Marnane, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Hamilton; Mr Salmond, manager, Bank of New Zealand, Te Awamutu; M,r Hanna, manager, National Bank, Te Awamutu and Mr C. Rosier, Mr Schofield’s successor. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Sergeant A. Bisset, Messrs Ensor, Mr H. Timms and the postmaster, Mr W. A. Trask. Mr Marshall in asking Mr A. Wallace to address the gathering said that they ali knew the reason for the gathering that of doing honour co Mr Schofield who had retired from the managership of the Bank of New Soutti Wales. ( Mr Wallace said that he felt sure that Mr Schofield on looking around and seeing such a large and representative attendance could not but be proud of that fact. Mr Schofield in the ten and a half years he had been in Te Awamutu had proved to be a worthy citizen. All the clients of the Bank realised his worth and they had always found him thoughtful and one who was ever ready to meet clients and ever ready to give advice willing i? and the advice given was always sound. Speaking of the district Mr Wallace said that a lot of people on first coming to Te Awamutu expressed surprise at the fact that the town had not made the progress that the district had. Mr Wallace said that any suggestion that die reason for that was a lack of progressiveness on the part of business people was wrong for the business people of Te Awamutu were just as progressive as their confreres in other towns. At the beginning of the century, Te Awamutu was a frontier village and most of the country surrounding it was in its natural state. In 1903, the Government ruled over by the late Mr Richard John Seddon acquired land in the Pokuru district and settled people thereon. In the next ten years settlement went on and in 1913, it looked as if Te Awamutu was born with the prospects of increased growth, but the war of 1914-18 stopped everything. After that was over, the depression was followed by another war, and they could not imagine any town progressing under the circumstances.

Referring to banking in Te Awamutu, Mr Wallace recalled the fact that the first bank staff comprised the manager and one junior. The manager was Mr Burgess who died only some some two or three years ago in Hawera, while the junior, Mr Taylor was still alive. The post office was run by one man, Mr John Vause, while the railway station was run by the stationmaster assisted 'by a boy. It is rather remarkable that the larger staff of to-day handling a volume of stock and other traffic not excelled by many other stations should be working in practically the same building the staff of two did fifty years ago. The police station was a wooden building, and fifty years ago there was not very much vice; sometimes a few men got “tight.” There was a lock-up, eight feet long by three feet wide and at one stage the only one in that cell was the policeman himself. Mr Wallace told the story of one New Year’s Eve when some of the “boys” were celebrating that occasion and in doing so overstepped the mark. There was only one justice of the peace, a well-known farmer in the town in those days and he was one of the celebrating party but he missed • getting the summons that the other members of th? party received. When his friends appeared before him in court, he gave them a very serious curtain-lecture and fined them 10s each but he (the Justice) paid the fines himself. Reverting to the occasion that called them together, Mr Wallace paid a high tribute to the services rendered to clients of the Bank by Mr Schofield and then presented the guest with a handsome solid crystal liquer set a wallet containing a substantial number of notes, and in doing so Mr Wallace assurred Mr Schofield that with the gifts went all the good wishes in the world. Mr Schofield after speaking for a few moments in jocular vein said he was at a loss at what to say. He felt honoured at such a large and representative gathering. Mr Schofield recalled his early visits to the districts saying that he had some interest in in it, as his father served in the Maori Wars, while his mother’s father, John Calderwood served in the Royal Engineers and he was responsible for several important bridges in the district. Mr Schofield recalled his ten and a half years service in the Bank in Te Awamutu with pleasure and he regarded the Bank’s clients as his personal friends. He had always endeavoured to do his best for all especially the little men “for the big men were able to look after themselves. It does me proud to see j ou all here and I thank you sincerely for your gifts and good wishes,” concluded Mr Schofield. Musical honours and cheers were then accorded the guest, and his health was toasted with enthusiasm. Successor Introduced Mr Schofield then introduced Mr Rosier, and in doing so expressed the opinion that they would find him most sympathetic. Mr Rosier in a brief speech said he appreciated very much the kindness of the organisers in inviting him to be present, for he appreciated the opportunity of meeting them. Mr Rosiei conveyed greetings from Mr Christie a relieving officer who was in Te

Awamutu some six months ago, and Mr Burrell another relieving manager, both of whom had hoped to be present to do honour to Mi Schofield. Continuing Mr Rosier said he would always be pleased to meet clients and to discuss with them their problems. First Customer’s Tribute Mr Montefiore speaking is the Bank’s first customer in Te Awamutu said it gave him great pleasure to be present to do honour to one who had been at times most helpful. Some people considered that Mr Schofield was retiring at too ?arly an age, but Mr Montefiore did not agree with j that view. Mr Schofield had joined the Bank when fifteen years of age, so that long years of service entitle him to retire at an ag? that would enable him to enjoy a happy period of retirement. Mr Schofield had the idea in life that of being helpful to others The speaker concluded by wishing Mr and Mrs Schofield health and happiness in th? future. The function was in all respects a very happy and successful one and it reflected the greatest credit on Mr Marshall anti those associated with him in its organisation.