A Winchmore Gathering.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6204, 26 February 1904, Page 2

A Winchmore Gathering.

FAREWELL TO REV. E. RAINE,

There was an exceptionally large attendance at the Winchmore schoolhou<e last evening, on the occasion of a farewell tea and conceit to the Rev. R. Eaine, Primitive Methodist Pastor of the Ashbur ton district, who is shortly to leave for Invercargill. About two hundred persons, in all, participated in the excellent tea, which was provided by the following kdies:— Mesdames Capon (2), Johnstone, Kidd, Clark, Hanson, and McKay, and Miss Muirhead. The following ladies also actbd hs waitresses :—Mesdames Capon, Clark, Kidd, and John3tone, and Mis3es Robertson (2), Hickman, McKay, Jones, Muirread, and Kidd. After the tea, which was in progress from 7 till nearly 9 p.m., a concert was held, Mr Parlane taking the chair. The proceedings opened with an anthem, "Praise Waitnth for Thee," by the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Choir, undec the leadership of Mr J. W. Jones, several members having journeyed from Ashburton to tike part in the concert. Their singing was much appreciated by those assembled. Later in the evening the choir sang " The Lark's Song," " Let the Hills Resound," and " The Lord is My Light" in a manner which manifested very careful training. Miss Raine officiated at the organ through" out the evening, her accompaniments being exceptionally well rendered. After the choir's opening number, Mr Parlane very briefly addressed the meeting, his subject being " True Manliness." One of the characteristics of true manliness was having a good purpose or aim in life. The speaker dwelt on the thorough manliness of Christ, how he fought and overcame temptations of all kinds, never allowing anything to draw him from his purpose. Christianity was bound to develop manliness in all its followers. The Rev. R., Raine then offered up a prayer, after which the pro' gramme proceeded. Halfway through the programme, Mr Parlane, on behalf of the residents of Winchmore, pre' setited Mr and Mrs Raine with a very handsome photo album, bearing a silver shield, with the following inscription: —" Presented to Mr and Mrs R. Raine by Winchmore friends, 25.2.01." In making the presentation Mr Parlane, expressed the regret felt by the Winchmore people at losing Mr Rains, who had endeared himself to them during the past three years. The speaker was very sorry, for a personal reason, as in the absence of Mr Raine, who was Secretary of the Ashburton No-license League, the duties would devolve upon himself as assistant secretary.

Mr Eaine, in replying, said that the presentation had taken him wholly by surprise. However, he would accept it in the same spirit in which it had been given, and would always cherish it as a souvenir of his friendship with the people of Winchmore. He had been amongst them for over three years and during that period had formed a very strong attachment to the district. The speaker alluded to the assistance he had received in " No License" and other matters from Mr Parlane, in very complimentary terms. He thanked those responsible for their very handsome gift, and expressed a wish that his audience would now come forward with their photographs, and thus enable him to fill the album.

The gathering then saug " Shall we gather at the River," with great hoartiness, after which the programme was proceeded with,

Mr E.. Craighead was very successful in both hia songs, " The Deathless Army" and ft The Throne of Grace, which were rendered in a very tasteful manner. Misses B. Robertson and M. Glassy, two little girls, sang a duet, " Only remembered by what we have done," which received gre-it applause. Mr If. Butterick' recited " The Man behind tho Plough " in spirited style. Mrs Wright contributed a song, " The Litnk Divine," which was greatly appreciated. Mrs Donald McLean rendered a somewhat difficult solo on the harmonium in n. very finished manner. A quartette, "Oh Worship the Lord," was sung by Mesdames Marsden (2), and Messrs J. H. Jones and E. Craighead. Mr Angua McKay received am encore for his finely rendered recitation of" Fifteen Years A go," and responded with another, " Looking for Cousin Dennis." Mesdames Eaine and Marsden sing the duet, " When the Wind Blow 3in from the Sea " in a very sympathetic manner. MrsG- oot contributed a song, "Only Tired," which was greatly enjoyed hy the audience. Miss 0. Butterick took the audience by storm with a recitation anent n A Christmas Dumpling," and responded to a well merited encore with "Preparing to receive Company." Masdnmes Marsden then sang as a duet " Pulaski's Banner," and gave a very successful musical rendering of Longfellow's famous poem. The programme conduded with a song from Mrs E. JRaine, entitled " Carrier John," a very pretty ballad, very prettily rendered. The Eev. E, Eaine proposed a hearty vote of thanks to tho ladies who had assisted with the tea, and to their worthy chairman. lie would also include Mr Glassey, who had been a leading spirit in organising the present function, and to whom much credit was due for the excellent arrangements that had been made. Mr Parlane suitably replied on behalf of the ladies, Mr Glassey, and himself.

Those present then sang " God be with yon till we meet again."

After votes of thanks to those who came from Ashburton to take part in the entertainment, and to the Ashburton Guardian for sending a representative, the, meeting terminated/the benediction being pronounced by the Rev. Raine.