NOTABLE RECORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1939, Page 6

NOTABLE RECORD

CHARWOMAN’S LONG SERVICE. PRESENTATION BY BANK STAFF. Thirty-two years’ continuous service as charwoman at the Masterton office of the Bank of New Zealand is the record of Mrs S. Nicolson, who carried out her duties there for the last time today. “I feel well enough, but I have not the energy to continue any longer,” said Mrs Nicolson, in conversation with a “Times-Age” representative this morning. “When I started here,” she said, "I came for three weeks, but I have been here ever since.” She added that Mr J. B. Henry, who died quite recently, was manager of the branch when she commenced her duties. That was in the days of the wooden building. During her long period of service she had encountered little to upset the usual routine of her work. One morning, before the war, she found a bullet hole through a wall and in the bathroom door, caused by the accidental discharge of a revolver. “There is the ’ revolver,” she said, pointing to an old type of weapon lying on a table, “and that is where the bullet went through the wall.”

In recognition of her long and faithful record of service, which, it is believed, has not been equalled in New Zealand for the particular task in which she was engaged, Mr J. F. Wesney, accountant, on behalf of the staff, made her a presentation as an indication of the good wishes of the staff. Mrs Nicolson was also the recipient of a gift from the Bank. Mrs, Nicolson was the recipient also of a presentation from the manager and staff of the Union Bank of Australia Ltd., with which firm she had been associated for about 15 years.