VALEDICTORY

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 June 1921, Page 3

VALEDICTORY

Mr N. WALLACE

On Saturday morning last about twenty business men and members of local sports bodies assembled in the Town Board office to bid farewell to Mr N. Wallace, late manager of the Helensville branch of the Bank of New Zealand, who has been tranferred to a similar .position in the bank at Dargaville. .On behalf of business associates and friends, Mr James Stewart made a few eulogistic remarks in reference to the high esteem in which Mr Wallace had been held during.his three years' residence here, both from a business and sporting point of view. He had much pleasure in asking their guest's acceptance of a few mementos of his stay in Helensville. The gifts consisted of a solid leather travelling bag, suitably initialled, a Kaiapoi travelling rug, and two silver-mounted Loewe pipes. Mr Stewart's remarks were cordially endorsed by those present by loud applause. On behalf of the cricket, tennis and golf clubs, Mr M. Matheson presented Mr Wallace with a tennis racquet and press, referring as he did so to the recipient's fine reputation as a first-rate sport, and to the great loss the town was sustaining in the departure of a man who excelled in the particular sports represented. As manager of the rival banking institution, Mr Matheson referred to the keen and friendly rivalry that had always existed between the two institutions during Mr Wallace's regime.

In responding, Mr Wallace was loudly applauded. He felt very keenly the honour they had done him in making the fine presentations they had. He had enjoyed every minute of his stay in Helensville, and was leaving with regret. It was a matter of satisfaction to him to know that he was not leaving the North, which he considered had a fine future. He would always look back with a considerable amount of pleasure to his stay in Helensville.

The health of the guest was proposed, " For he's a jolly good fellow" was sung, and three cheers were heartily given.

Messrs H. Aitkenhead and T. Keane also spoke in appreciation of Mr Wallace, and the gathering dispersed with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."

Mr Wallace left for Dargaville on Monday morning, a good number assembling on the wharf to bid him good-bye.