POPULAR CHIEF CLERK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16701, 5 April 1922, Page 6

POPULAR CHIEF CLERK.

RETIREMENT OF MR BANKS JUSTICES' FAREWELL. The Canterbury Justices' Association met in the Court house this morning to bid farewell to Air W. A. D. Banks, late chief clerk at the Alagis trato’s Court, who has recently retired. Mr H. H. Holland, president of the association, said that, it was a difficult thing to have to say good-bye to old j and tried friends. The justices had ! often met Mr Banks, during the per- | forma no© of their duties, and lie could truthfully say that they had never come into conflict with him. He was aJi ways very patient in the manner in j which lie had treated all men. Air Banks had given thirty-nine years of ! good service t-o the Government, and j in his retirement they wished him pros peritv. He carried away with him the I highest esteem and best wishes of the Justices’ Association. Mr S- E. At’ Car thy said that throughout the whole of his career Mr Banks had been loyal to the Government, loyal to the citizens, loyal to the Magistrate and loyal to the justices and he would carry into his retirement the most kindly recollections of his service. Air It. C. Bishop and other justices also expressed their appreciation of Air Banks's kindness to them, and wished him happiness and prosperity in his retirement. Air B>anks, in reply, said that he was happy that day. because he was being fare welled by the justices, with whom he had been associated for a good : many years. They were a strong body I arid a tower of strength in. the comj itiunity. He thanked them for the j kindly references they had made to his j seivice and he trusted that ho would i remain in Christchurch and have fre--1 quent opportunities of meeting them. ; Ho was retiring from the Government : service, but- ho hoped the time had not i yet ccmc for retirement from active : work. He looked forward to many ; years of life and happiness. F A REWELLED BY LAM' SOCIETY, j Air Banks was also fare-welled at a ; representative gathering of members of the Canterbury District Law Society, hel din the Supremo Court law library. In the absence of the president, Air G H. X. He lino re, who is on si visit to the Old 00-untry, Air F. W. Johnstrm, the vice-president, occupied the chair. Mr Johnston said that tho members of the legal profession had always had the greatest regard for Air Banks and had found him ever ready to assist with advice whenever he was approached by members of the legal profession. They all hoped t-hnt although Air Banks was retiring from his official office ho would I not allow himself to rust away but that, after he had had a good rest he would come hack and start in some line of business where tho members of the legal profession would still have opportunities of meeting him. On behalf of the members. Air Johnston then presented Air Banks with a smoker’s outfit and expressed the hope that whenever he used it he would think of his friends in the profession. (Applause). Air H. D. Andrews said he had very much pleasure in heartily concurring with Air Johnston’s remarks. The relations between Air Banks and t-lie legal profession had been very harmonious. Mr Banks had always been helpful and courteous and the members of the legal profession sincerely hoped they would not loso him from Christchurch permanently. (Applause). Afr A. T. Donnelly, speaking on behalf of the younger members of the profession, said lie had had very pleasant recollections of the valuable help given by Afr Banks to the clerks and the younger members. Those whose memories of Air Banks dated back only ten years had found in him a true friend at nil times. (Applause). Air Banks, in replying, said he was very proud to have been associated with the members of the legal profession in Christchurch. He thanked the speakers for the very hearty expressions of goodwill. The happiest days of his life had been spent, amongst them iu Christchurch. He hoped when he had had a rest to enjoy still more, happy days among them. He also desired to thank them very sincerely for their gift. (Applause).