NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue XIII, 11 September 1879, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA.

PRESENTATION To MR ADAM BARCLAY Amidst the strife and turmoil of electioneering- contests, it is pleasant and soothing to one's miud to have »uoh % littlo episode to chronicle as tho one I would ask permission to relate, through tho medium of your much appreciated journal. Among the "things not generally known," is tho fact that we have, m this little township, a neat and comfortable Presbyterian church, but never hacl a regular ordained minister sii.ee it was built, and raost probably ifc would havo been, for years, a nurpery for spiders aud sparrows, had it not been for the untiring zeal and faithfuhu.--. m tho -rood cause, of a gentleman residing some three or more miles from here, namely, Mr Adatn Barclay. , Aud now ho is reluctautly compelled to leave tho district, ou account of tho severe and continued illness of his wife. On Thursday evening last, tho members and adlierents of the Church had tho pleasure of presenting Mr Barclay with a beautifully illuminated address, and Mrs Barclay (through her husband) a handsome silvermounted work-box, as a slight tokeu of esteem m which they<.are"Ht>oth 'held personally, aud as proof of our appreciation of Mr Barclay's services, m conducting divine worship m our church, for nearly three years— services often rendered at much .sacrifice and personal inconvenience to himself and his family. Mr Barclay, by his indo mni table perseverance, had made himself a comfortable homo, and had also como to feci himself at home m our midst, and consequently tho parting- must 'ba hard to bear ; but, however regretful he aud his family may feel at having to leave, the pain at parting- cannot be less to those whom they leave behind. However, if good wishes and benedictions can help a man on, MiBarclay must yet bo a prosperous and happy man, for no maii ever left a district with a larger quantity. And, as a proof that too much honor could not be done him, ou the following evening, a large number of * friends sat down to a farewell dinner, given m his honor, m tho large club-room of the Delta Hotel, at which Hamilton Newei!, Esq., presided, and T. V. Fitzpatrick, Esq., m the Vice-Chair— two gentlemen, whose names are a sufficient guarantee that the proceedings rauit have been conducted m a most respectable, dignified, and satisfactory manner ; nnd yet there was, and i* still, one thiug whinh no one r resent at that dinner has been able, satisfactorily, :o explain, and that is: Hoy/ such an extravagantly liberal, and tatefnlly got up. entertainmeut, could have b»en provided at such a short notice, _.nd at such a price as a few shillings per h-nid. Surely it must have been done more for the honor of the thing, than for any pecuniary profit. If so, more honor and and power to iir and Mrs Hood.— E. J.