The Oldest Member of the Foreign Staff of Wayfoong Leaves the Far East: Regrets Upon the Departure of Mr. G. H. Stitt While Shanghai has taken a r fretful farewell to many old resi ents during the present year, it is} impossible to feel that any departure for the Homeland from this port can be more deeply felt as a personal loss than that of Mr. G. Stitt, the manager of the Bony Kong & Shanghai Bank.—Whi Mr, Stitt has had a long residence in the Far East, he is anything but fan old hand in Shanghai, yet it is tone of the greatest compliments that could be paid to such a man—that of the general regret of the community upon his departure, The fact stands out that in the few he has been here, Mr. Stitt has fully entered into the spirit the life of the community, and his ability, courtesy and kindliness of disposition have endeared him to all whom he has met.
The Bank's Irishmen The Hongkong & Shanghai Bai has been fortunate in the Irishm who have entered its service. Sir Thomas Jackson, of course, leads! that wonderful group of far-seeing bankers and financiers, and Mr. Stitt will occupy a foremost part in it, He was born near Dundalk, and 20 years later, in 1885, entered the of the Hongkong Shanghai Bank in London. For! four years he was in the London office, and was then sent to Hong: kong' where he remained until 1891 Then there was service in Japan until 1896, when he was transferred to the Straits, where he remained until 1909, From there he again returned to Japan. first to Yoko hama, and for seven years he was in charge of the bank's office in Kobe, In 1921 he came Shanghai succeed the Into Mr. A. G. Stephen, who then went to Hongkong as Chief Manager. the hand which caused him to release his hold.
The Arrest The man then bolted across Avenue Edward VII into the French Concession closely pursued by the Chinese constable and another officer of the law who was standing by. With the assistance of a Chinese constable in the French police force, he was arrested and Tater handed over to a detective from Louza station.
The money he dropped at the corner of Avenue, Edward VIT could mot be found when the Chinese constable returned from the chase.
The man gave his name as Woo Yoong-sung, and said that he was an ex-soldier and a native of He was later identified by the apprentice as being one of-the men who held him up earlier in the morning. The pistol which he had in his possession was of.32 calibre of Spanish make. It "cent nine rounds of ammunition, He was brought up before the Mixed Court yesterday morning and 'a remand was granted, It is easy to understand how trying the years from 1914 onwards were to an exchange banker. When war broke out in 1914 there could be nothing but uncertainty as to the course of events in the monet H. ary world, and then when Mr. Stitt} took charge in Shanghai the spectacalar drop of the tael began. It played havoc with many people, and was undoubtedly a difficult position for all, but Mr, Stitt's work daring the period that ensued showed him fas a banker of the first order. He had always the sang fraid in face of such troubles which is essential to success.
'A Keen Racing Man Mr. Stitt, a8 a typical Trishman, could not have proceeded on career as his without combine {ng in it a vast interest in the Turi, Those who were with him in Penang have a strong recollection his work in racing' there, while coming nearer to Home he did equal share of racing in Japan before he was in Shanghai. A mare of his was Del Monte, which after he had sold her' won the Emperor's Cup. Then in Shanghai he and Mr, Stephen had al joint stable for three years, and several important races. were won by this partnership. In 1923 Gock o' the North was favourite for the Champions here, but got only third place, although it won the Governor's 'Cup in Hongkong. Perhaps, however, a more important part' of Mr. Stitt's contribution to racing in the Far East is the fact the time he has acted ax Steward of different clubs, these including] Penang, Yokohama and Singapore, while for three years he was chairman of the Shanghai Race Club, Public Services In Shanghai we have also to think of Mr, Stitt's services to the com-inanity in other aspects. He has served on many committees, was chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce in 1922, and a year ago President of St. Patrick's Society, besides having to preside at innumerable meetings and functions at which his bonhomie and. diplomacy were very greatly welcomed, Hegarrived here just before the old building of the bank was demolish. ed, and his tenure of office included such events as the laying of the foundation stone of the new building, and then the actual opening] ceremony. With this transition period and subsequent development, his name will always be associated.
For the past two years Mr. Stitt has been the senior member of the foreign staff of the Hongkong Shanghai Bank. It is 41 _years since he joined the service, by far the greater part of which has been spent in the Far East. So his retirement is well-earned, and when hho and Mrs, Stitt left on the Blue Funnel str. Antenor on. Saturday they took with them the best wish-3 of all their friends not only in Shanghai but in other ports in the For East... On. reteming Home they intend in the first instance to reside in. Berkshire.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.