A POPULAR BANK MANAGER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 9

A POPULAR BANK MANAGER.

JPILESE.NTATION TO .Mil A. ( STEDMAN. At the Chamber of Commerce yostcrjay afternoon there was n large atteiulanco of ljU'-inct.- men on tho ocrusion of ;l presentation to Mr A. Stcdman, who Jios retired from the \>o--ition of manager in Christchurch of the Bank of New South Wales after ol years' cfl rvico with the Bank. M r George Gould presided. The presentation took the form of solid silver salver, with appropriate inscription: and there was also a -solid silver tea kettle and spirit lamp for -Mr* Stedman. The chairman said that they were met to express their regret tliat tho time had arrived tor Mr Stedman to .rivo mi> the reins of office, and to Old aim a fitting faiewell. 'Jo Jiur-self it alwav» seemed a little sad when a good nwu'feU that he must »ive up the more strenuous his life; on the other h-incl it wis satisfactory to ieel tiiat .Wl » snod cars ,vori ami was entiilivtl to take his rest, ill steel man had sA*ed the bank w cll and faithfully for over fifty years thought that it was a record of wmen J,o might well he proud. (Applause Jiiirini; the last ten years of tho period 3lr| Stodniau had presided over th Balk in Ciiristchnrcli, and though, pe haos not a man well-known to . tho General public, those whose business had brought them m contact with him had ahvajs found him a capable and " cxnericnced banker, a good f non » S5 n stuuccl. supporter whenever suprofiuired and merited. (ApSu=e ' From his (the speaker's) ex, nerienre, Mr .Stedman had worthily HUed the office of manager of the bank, and in every way had helped to oil the wheels of commerce. Mr R C. Bishop, m a speech appreciative of Mr Stedman's services recalled that Mr Stedman and himself had studied at Christ's College, had carved their names on tho same mk-stained deck, sat under tho same masters, played the same games, and fought the same schoolboy battles. . (Applause.) Mr Stedman was a Christchurch. boy, had entered the bank's services in Christchurch, and, fittingly, was leaving its services in Christcnurch. Mr Bishop expressed his personal wish that Mr and Mrs Stedman would be long spared to eniov the relief from tho anxieties ind cares of office that Mr Stedman so wetf deserved. He hinted that it was likelv that Mr Stedman was not to be allowed to rust, but would be assisting in work of a patriotic character. (ApplThe chairman then made the presentation, and wished Mr Stedman long life to enjoy his period of rest. Ihe present, he added, was a small token 01 the regard and respect m which tney held Mr Stedman. . Tho health of Mr Stedman was heartily and musically honoured. Continued and hearty applause greet- j ed Mr Stedman when he rose to reply. He expressed many thanks for the Kind things said about him, and for the presents, but, he said, he desired to thank them more for the manner in which they had treated him during his service with the hank in Christchuroh. It; was no light thing to throw up a position which brought him in contact with people like themselves, because it became part of one's life. He hoped to take up something later on that would help to fill its place. (Applause.) For family reasons he would spend the winter out of Christchurch, but he felt +Jtn». he belonged to Christchurch. and he did not want to leave it; it was his earnest desire to come back to it. (Applause.) He bespoke for his successor, Mr G. A. R. Mackay, the same consideration that had been extended to himself. (Continued applause.) Mr Mackay spoke briefly, and said that that he would nave a hard tow to hoe, inasmuch as Mr Stedman was a first-rate man who was highly appreciated not only by his friends, but also by the bank. The health of Mr Mackay was honoured and the gathering terminated.