VALEDICTORY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9121, 14 April 1908, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION AT BULLS. Yesterday afternoon at Bulls Town Hall, a large number of residents of the town and district, including many ladies, assembled to do honor to Sir and Mrs Herbert, -who are about to leave on an extended trip to England. As a mark of esteem and goodwill, Mr Herbert was presented with a purse of sovereigns liberally subscribed to by well wishers. Mr J. E. Walker, Chairman of Bulls Town Board, presided and on the platform with him were Mr John Stevens, M.P., Mr and Mrs Herbert and Miss Stevens. The Chairman said that Mr and Mrs Herbert were leaving on an extended holiday. During Mr Herbert’s sojourn in Bulls, extending over 13 years, he had entered willingly into all that concerned the welfare of the district. The residents thought it only right that some fitting recognition of his services should be given and they had subscribed towards a purse of sovereigns which he had much pleasure in asking Mr Stevens, M. P., to present. pjr John Stevens said there was no public duty which he could have been asked to perform that could give him more pleasure. As the Chairman had just said their good citizen—Mr Herbert—had resided amongst them for many years. He had been 33 years in New Zealand, and of that long period he had been 30 years in the Bank of New South Wales, of which he had proved himself to be such a capable officer. He bad been over 13 years resident in Bulls, conducting the business of the Bank with profit to its shareholders and credit to himself. He had never heard one dissentient voice as to Mr Herbert’s consideration for every person who had approached him in connection with matters which were sometimes difficult. Mr Herbert had always the interest of the district at heart, and everything in the shape of healthy sport had always received his very heartiest support. In no case had he heard of any difference between Mr Herbert and bis clients, except in the case of a lady. The sPrny might he true or not. He could not vouch for it. He believed the lady made a denosit in the bank and received a cheque book with 100 cheques in it. She returned to the bank a few days later, and was shown into Mr Herbert’s room by the teller, and she nearly assaulted Mr Herbert, and said “How dare yon refuse to cash my cheques when I still have 50 left.” With that one exception, he believed Mr Herbert had had no difference with any of his clients, and he was sure it would be of great advantage to the district if Mr Herbert’s successor were as highly appreciated. Coming to matters connected with what might be called “good citizenship,” he "might say that there was no one who bad [taken a deeper interest in all matters relating to the Church. Mr Herbert bad unselfishly given up his walks and drives in order to perform ins duty as Lay Reader in the Church, when there had been no clergyman, not only in Bulls, but he had often walked 4 miles to Sandou, to perform what he deemed a service to the community. Such being the case it was decided by those prominent in organising this presentation, instead of having two separate gifts, to have one general acknowledgment, including the Church and the general public, and the presentation he was about to make included both Church and the general public. Last, and not least, Mrs Herbert had unselfishly given her great skill and time towards the Church, as organist, and had also conducted the choir with ability. For over four years she had been pianist© of the Rangitikei Choral Society and iu that capacity had won golden opinions for herself. And he thought lie could not do better than wish Mr and Mrs Herbert long life and prosperity, an enjoyable trip and a safe return to New Zealand. (Applause). The purse was handed to Mr Herbert by Miss Stevens, and three hearty cheers were given. The health of Mr and Mrs Herbert was then enthusiastically honoured. Mr Herbert, on rising to reply, was received with hearty applause. Ho said that he had told them before that speeches were decidedly out of his line, and he felt it more keenly than ever that afternoon. In the first place he desired to thank Mr Stevens for his kindly remarks and his friends who had subscribed towards the presentation, which he accepted with pleasure, because it was a mark or their esteem. It had always been a great source of satisfaction to himfj to feel that the relationship as between hanker and clients had been the very best. It was a difficult matter, as a bank manager, to keep on pleasant terms with'everybody, hut without being egotistical, lie could conscientiously say tnat during his 13 years experience in Rangitikei, the amount of unpleasantness had been nil. (Applause). With the prudence and courtesy always shown by his clients there could be no trouble, and as long as clients were reasonable there was not the slightest occasion for any hitch. He would remind them that they had one of the finest districts in New Zealand and a splendid class of settlers. Speaking of the relationship between the Banks, he would like to say it had been one of extreme courtesy. He had to thank Mr Dawson, mangaer of the Bank of New Zealand, for the kindly feeling always shown. It was better to workSharmouiously together. Now, so far as' the social aspect of the question he had to thank Mr Stevens for the kindly references to Mrs Herbert. No doubt his wife had taken a keen interest in social events, and had it not been for failing health she would still have taken an active part. He had always made one golden rule v?hen living in a district, which was to some extent cut off from any large centre, and that was to take an active interest in the social side of life. He felt that it was his duty to take some reasonable interest and fill some office, however small it might be, which promoted the welfare of the place. There should never he a dull hour, and on jffiat principle he had always worked. What he had done for the Church or otherwise had been a labour of love._ It. gave him employment, not for his own gain, hut he hoped for the benefit of the neople ad large. He desired to again thank them for the kindness and goodwill shown in making him such a handsome present, winch would help him to enjoy his holiday a little more than he should have done. (Applause). A vote of thanks was passed to Mr W’alker for presiding and Mr Stevens for making the presentation.