Charles Banks CE, (1849-8/9/1923). "his true worth"

THE LATE MR CHAS. BANKS.

AN APPRECIATION. 

In the passing of Mr Charles Banks there has gone quietly from our midst one, who, from his long association with the public works of the district, is worthy of more than a passing notice. Of a particularly shy and retiring disposition, Mr Banks ever shunned the limelight. and it was only those who were intimately acquainted with him who were privileged to get behind the reserve and appreciate his true worth as a man and a friend. 

In his profession, he was held in the highest esteem throughout New Zealand. As one of the founders, and for many years as a member of the Council of the Society of N.Z. Civil Engineers, his advice and experience was eagerly sought after and appreciated by all grades of the profession. As a designer of bridges Mr Banks had few equals and was a recognised authority on the subject. Indeed, in this district he has left behind him many lasting monuments of his skill in that direction, and in one case at least, his plans were adopted by the Government as their standard design for that particular type of bridge. 

In his younger days, as a surveyor, Mr Banks was for some years engaged in the trigonometrical survey of different parts of the country, a work entrusted only to those at the top of the profession and it was here that his infinite capacity for taking pains and his accuracy of detail was much appreciated. 

It has been truly said that it is in the playing of games that a man's true character reveals itself and this was undoubtedly true of Mr Banks. He was a true sport in the strictest sense of the word. As a member of long standing in the Golf Club, his sound judgment and fairness was much appreciated. A keen player, of considerable skill, it was here his scrupulous fairness and cheery optimism in the face of difficulties was always an example to others and when failing health forced him to relinquish active participation in the game, every member realised that they were the poorer for his going and the Club lost one of its most valued members. For the last year or two failing health has caused Mr Banks to 1ive in retirement, but to the last he maintained the keenest interest in outside matters and his pithy comments oh current topics were always worth listening to. 

It must indeed be a comfort to his sorrowing relatives to think that if ever a man attained to the alloted span, loved by those who knew him and without leaving behind him a single enemy, that man was Charles Banks, and I am sure Emerson's words would well apply — 

"The name of death was never terrible 

To him that knew to live."  -North Otago Times, 18/9/1923.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.