RETIREMENT OF BANKER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 10

RETIREMENT OF BANKER

+ MR A. V. WINCHESTER'S FAREWELL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A MANAGER The retirement of Mr A. V. Winchester from the management of the Christchurch branch of the Bank of Australasia was marked by a farewell gathering held at Beath's tea-rooms yesterday afternoon. Mr H. D. Acland presided, and presented Mr Winchester with a wallet, on behalf of his clients and friends, many of whom were present. The secretary of the presentation committee was Mr R. A. Young, who was responsible for the arrangements. "This cannot be said to be a pleasant occasion," said Mr Acland, "for we are met to take leave of a good friend and a good banker, one, more-

over, who belonged to a first-class bank. Mr Winchester arrived in Christchurch nine years ago and knew very few people in the city: this gathering to-day is an indication of the number of friends he has made. But we are glad to be able to say that, though we are losing a banker, Mr Winchester will remain in Christchurch, and we will have him as a friend in the years to come." Mr Acland then introduced Mr M. Maning, the new manager. Mr Winchester's Reply "Why is it that a banker should be so honoured?" asked Mr Winchester in expressing thanks. "Perhaps it is because he is in such intimate touch with the community, sharing their affairs, their aspirations, their hopes and fears. After nine years, when the time for my retirement has arrived, it is hard to face the severing of my connexion with my customers. "The banker is often depicted as one-eyed and heartless; yet he has sensibilities the same as other people. During the recent difficult years a banker's main anxieties were not for his own job or what he might suffer himself; they reflected the difficulties of his customers. One cannot see people losing ground and perhaps finally going under without feeling deeply for

them. Of course, on the other hand, a profitable balance-sheet gives the banker great pleasure. "A banker leads a secluded, reticent life, and much confidential information is entrusted to him/ He is often subjected to criticism and made the butt of humorous references. He is sometimes compared to a man who lends an umbrella on a fine day and takes it back on a wet day. He is said to look on things with a glass eye. But often he sees to it that the umbrellas are put up when a storm is approaching; and when one considers the ingenuous, disingenuous, and ingenious proposals that are put to him for making money quickly, it is well that he sometimes has a glass eye." Mr Winchester also spoke of the work of the banks during the depression, after which the new manager, Mr Maning, was introduced to those pres-