“H.B.” MANAGER RETIRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 197, 21 August 1945, Page 4

“H.B.” MANAGER RETIRES

PRESEN i'ATION FUNCTION FOR MR. A. B. GILMOUR

After 52 years’ service with the firm of Hallenslein Bros., for 23 years as manager of the Wanganui branch, Mr. A. B. Gilmour has retired. He was Entertained by members of the staff at a happy function recntly, when a presentation was made, and the directors, in recognition of his long and valued services w.th the firm, granted him a retiring allowance. On behalf of the staff Mr. A. J. Hansen, senior member, expressed regret that Mr. Gilmour’s health compelled him to retire, but hoped that he would be speedily restored to good health and would be spared for many years to enjoy the leisure he had so worthily earned. Mr. Gilmour's association with the firm so familiarly known throughout New Zealand as ‘The H. 8.” dated back 52 years, sa.d Mr. Hansen, and he had a record of faithful and continuous service rarely held in business. In presenting Mr. Gilmour with a smoker's companion, on. behalf of the staff, Mr. Hansen assured the retiring manager that the gift was accompanied by every good wish of staff members.

Returning thanks lor the gift, Mr. Gilmour said he particularly appreciated their expressions of goodwill and their good wishes for his future good health. He had spent many years in the service of the H.B. • firm, and throughout had endeavoured to give the management that loyalty wijich their whole-hearted co-operation deserved. That such loyalty did not go unrewarded, he said, was evident from the appreciation that had been expressed. On his part he appreciated the loyalty of the Wanganui staff, with which branch he had been so long associated.

The opportunity was taken at the gathering to toast. Mr. A. J. Hansen, who succeeds Mr. Gilmour as the Wanganui branch manager, Mr. Hansen is well known in Wanganui, having been a member of the H.B. staff for the last 13 years. He has been particularly active in cycle racing and Rugby lootball. Recently he was released by the R.N.Z.A.F. after three years’ service.

Mr. Gilmour joined the “H. 8. organisation in Dunedin on leaving school in 1893. He served in the Napier and Auckland branches before being appointed manager of the Gisborne branch in 1908. Ke came to Wanganui in November. 1918, shortly after the influenza epidemic, and for four of the 27 years spefit in Wanganui he was a branch inspector. Mr. Gilmour plans to spend his retirement in Wanganui, and as a bowling enthusiast, a member of the Wanganui Bowling Club, he looks forward to enjoying many happy hours trailing “kitty” on the Wanganui greens.