BUSINESSMAN LOOKS BACK OVER PAST 50 YEARS IN WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 January 1947, Page 4

BUSINESSMAN LOOKS BACK OVER PAST 50 YEARS IN WANGANUI

MR. L. BASSETT RETIRING After being associated with the firm of Bassett and Co., Ltd., timber merchants, Wanganui, for more than 59 years, Mr. Len. E. Bassett retires at the end of March from the position of general manager, but will remain on the advisory directorate. Mr. Fred Beaven, who has been commercial manager for some years, will become general manager.

1,, is also announced that a portion of tlie share interest in the company lias been purchased by a number of tlmirer-miiling firms in the North Island. Th? business was established in 1893 by Mr. W. G. Bassett (father of Mr. L. E. Bassett), who died in 1928. Interviewed yesterday, Mr. Bassett recalled some of the important changes which have taken place in the limber industry during the past 50 years. When he left, the Wanganui Collegiate School in 1896 he joined his father’s business, located in Maria Place, off Wilson Street, and later In lower St. Hill Street.

At that time Wanganui had a population of 6000, and as the business expanded the' present site in Uftoer Wilson Street was secured in 1898. 'Die area was then known as “Smiley’s Paddock,” said Mr. Bassett, but there were some who thought, that it was "too far into the country.” After experience in outside branches of the industry, Mr. Bassett was, in turn, associated with the machine, joinery and clerical departments, eventually becoming accountant. Compared with the present time, remunerations in those days were low, but had the advantage of high purchasing power, he said.

Later, Mr. Bassett became commercial manager, often touring sawmill areas in the then remote and undeveloped interior of the North Island. In recent decades he has been general manager.

“Wanganui has emerged from the small rural areas of 1896 into the present important city of education, civic and commercial enterprises,” said Mr. Bassett. “Great has been the industrial transition in those 50 years. Previously, concentration was on timber production and marketing. Today the industry has.wide ramifications associated with concrete products. wallboards, plywoods, joinery, cement and similar essential materials.

“The 50 years have passed ’midst many troubled experiences,” Mr. Bassett added. “Following the South African War there was the 1914-18 war, the great pandemic, the world’s greatest slump, and later the 19391945 war of wars. These provided record stresses that tested executive administrations. A huge procession of business has come and gone, midst wane and gain in flux and transition of human afi’aiis. "Industrial mechanisation has made great advances. Motor s have Replaced horse-drawn vehicles. Artificial seasoning of timber has developed, electricity has largely replaced steam, high speed ballbearing machines have replaced those of low speed and efficient, intricate units have replaced simpler ones. Office equipment includes typewriters, calculating machines, duplicators, inter-telephones and electric fire protection mechanism.

“Such immense changes in commerce and mechanisation have demanded that in large industry management must be commercially encyclopaedic to cope with the multiplying services and scientific intricacies. The 50 years have emphasised the complexity and interdependence of world services, and have indicated that successful business cannot be maintained by “rule of thumb.”

Mr. Bassett has taken a leading part in the development of Wanganui. For a period he was president of the T.Y.M.I. Institute with its many hundreds of members and varied interests. Later, he was chairman of the Y.M.C.A. launching campaign, becoming first president. He has also served as chairman of the Wanganui Rugby Union, the Wanganui Cricket Association and the Wanganui Referees' Association.

In commercial and local body activities, Mr. Bassett has served as president of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Wanganui River Trust Board, the Raetihi Fire Commission, the Wanganui Gas Commission, and has been associated with many other organisations. As a New Zealand delegate to the International Fifth Congress of Chambers of Commerce, held in Boston, U.S.A., ho had special opportunities of inspecting large industries in several States. He met world leaders, including the then President Taft and Mr. T. A. Edison, who presented Mr. Bassett v. ’ h an enlarged autographed pho Lograp ’z.