OUR HAVELOOK LETTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XII, Issue 940, 28 July 1877, Page 7

OUR HAVELOOK LETTER.

On Tuesday laat one of those pleasant social gatherings so conducive to interchange of good feeling took place at our Town Hall fur the express purpose of making a presentation to Mr and Mrs Whitehorn, who have for many years laboured so assiduously to advance and improve everything in connection with our church. The Revd. Mr Spears was voted to the chair, and after a short prayer in a few words explained to the meeting how matters had been so fararranged, and the very great pleasure he experienced presiding at such a meeting, he firmly believed our object had been kept strictly secret from ab least one family in the room and even now it was not his place. to divulge anything ! and would therefore call on the Lady, who had been requested to contribute her services at the presentation. Mrs Guillim then came forward and in a few well chosen words, addressed Mrs Whitehorn, explaining how for some time past, many of the residents wished to show their appreciation of her untiring kind services, but had never until recently, when after a committee was formed, the}' decided on asking her to accept what she now had so much pleasure in presenting, a silver tea and coffee service, with the following inscription neatly engraved. " Presented to Mrs W. Whitehorn, from her Pelorus friends as a token of esteem and appreciation, for kind service rendered in connection with Church Music, Havelock, .July 24, 1877." The Chairman then requested Mr C. H. Mills as one ot the Church Wardens of St Peters to conclude the'presentation. Mr Mills arose and said, Revd. Sir, Ladies, and Gentlemen, we have met together this evening to perform a most pleasant task, part of which, our old friend Mrs Guillim has so gracefully finished and now as one of the oldest resident in the district, it affords me very great pleasure in. being allowed to express, the feelings so widely echoed on all sides, universal respect to those who have so nobly earned it, (applause) For^sonie' time past many of us felt that the kind services of Mr and Mrs Whitehorn extending over so many years, in connection with our Church, deserved some token to shew they were heartily appreciated, but it was not until the ladies, whose names it might be inviduous to mention, formed themselves into a committee that matters assumed a practical shape, which has now terminated with such a pleasing; result. M^ny could recollect that Mr Whiteborn with our old friend Dr Weld, in days gone by, where those mainly instrumental in placing the Church on its present site, they were a tower of strength ia themselves, and ever since that time both Mr and Mrs Whitehorn have by united efforts succeeded in keeping a congregation together. . Most of us have felt the benefit of their kindly nature. First to assist and last to condemn seems to have been their guiding star, through all the years of our intimacy, they have always proved friends steadfast and true (Hear, hear) and I feel while uttering these sentiments it is still only partly conveying the deep feeling of all present, and I am proud of the honor conferred on me by the committee who wished me to take such a prominent part in this day's proceedings. I know all here unite, in wishing them with their family everj prosperity, and hope they may long be spared to continue the good work sketched out by themselves. (Applause). In conclusion, to Mr Whitehorn, dear Sir, allow me in the name of all your numerous friends to present this purse of sovereigns, as an earnest of our wishes that it may add some temporal blessing, while at the same time we ask you to accept a more lasting treasure, this Bible, which ! we hope with our prayers may lead to blessing eternal. The bible was then opened and inscription read : — " Presented to William Whitehoru, Resident Magistrate, Jby his Pelorus friends in affectionate remembrance of his labours for many years as Lay Reader in the district, Havelock. July 24th, 1877. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward — Proverbs xi. — 18. Mathews xxv.— 4o.', Mr Whitehorn in re^ly earnestly trusted his kind friends would make every allowance should he not express what he really felt, for he was quite taken by surprise, and until a few minutes before had no idea he or Mrs Whitehorn was to be the recipients of such bountiful presents, they must believe he felt exceedingly grateful, and in the name of his own dear wife thanked them all very much. It had always been his greatest pleasure to assist as Lay Reader or anything else connected with the Church. He did it willingly and thankfully without ever considering himself entitled to any remuneration, and still hoped to do so as long as he lived. He felt it was so much more than they deseryed that his feelings were too strong for utterance, they must excuse his saying anymore, believing both he and his own dear wife would ever remember their kind gifts and feel deeply grateful for their generous feelings. The Chairman then expressed himself highly gratified to see how readily everyone had • come forward to contribute. He felt they had only discharged a long outstanding debt, while their gratitude would be everlasting. It was a most agreeable'duty in which they had just engaged, none knew, better than himself how earnestly Mr Whitehorn and his good lady had laboured in the good cause. He personally felt deeply indebted to Mr Whitehorn for the regular services performed in different parts of the district while he was absent sick in Nelson and should ever be grateful. In fact Mr Whitehorn had assisted throughout in so many ways that h

' could never repay his kindness and sincerely ! hoped they would always be able to look back on this day with unmingled pleasure. After a most cordial vote of thanks had beeu unanimously recorded in favour of those ladies who formed the committee, and furnished such a sumptuous tea which all present seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed, a short prayer and hymn closed the most successful meeting ever held here. The tables were rapidly cleared away and forms arranged for THE CONCERT lii aid of both Churches, and long before the appointed time seats became rapidly filled, everyone seeming determined to patronise our local amateurs who, at considerable inconvenience, had perse vei-ed in getting up this entertainment with such a laudable object in view, and considering the short time they have practised together it : was most successful, some of the songs, choruses, and duets being rendered exceedingly well; encores were numerous, and readily responded to, the comic song "Mary Ann" eliciting roars. of merriment. Criticism in such cases, I believed is considered obsolete, and rightly too, for when every allowance is made there was but little to find fault with, and great praise is djle to those who conducted and arranged matters so satisfactorily that everyone went home highly pleased with the entertainment. The Rev. Mr Spears proposed a vote of thanks to the singers and others engaged, which was readily seconded- with great pleasure by the Rev.. Father Pesant, and carried unanimously.