BANK STAFF MAKE PRESENTATION TO GENERAL MANAGER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 9

BANK STAFF MAKE PRESENTATION TO GENERAL MANAGER.

MR H. BUCKLETON HAS 50 YEARS’ SERVICE. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 19. A large gathering of the staff, representative of all parts of the Dominion, assembled in the Board room of the Bank of New Zealand yesterday for the presentation of a portrait in oils and a pearl tiepin to Mr Henry Buckleton, the general manager, who attained his fiftieth year of service with the bank on Saturday. The portrait is by Mr A. Nicoll. Mr A. L. Kempton, assistant general manager, presided. Mr M’Gibbon, the Christchurch manager, referred on behalf of the staff to Mr Buckleton’s high personal qualities and distinguished career as a banker. Mr Kempton, in unveiling the portrait, and presenting it to Mr Buckleton, referred to the recipient’s high sense of duty and abilities. He had a full measure of sound commonsense and good judgment. “I consider it was a good day for the bank when the fates ordained that Mr Buckleton should join our service.” said Mr Kempton. lie intimated that a replica of the portrait would hang in the Board room. Mr F. D. Clayton, senior inspector, added his congratulations and presented Mrs Buckleton with a handsome toilet set of brushes in enamels. Mrs Buckleton, in responding, referred to the difficulties of the wives of those engaged in banking in having to make ends meet, sometimes on inadequate means, and keeping their husbands' welfare and interests ever in mind. Mr Buckleton, in replying, said that his career was the result of devotion to duty. The board and the executive were only too glad to give officers every opportunity of qualifying for high positions. He referred to the liberal provision for a pensions fund made by the bank. The annual contributions for the past five years averaged £29,366 and a special donation of £IOO,OOO to the fund was made in 1920 and a like amount in 1922. He stressed the importance of the technical training of bank officers and indulged in personal reminiscences.