VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 31 March 1926, Page 7

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

GATHERING AT WAKANUI.

GIFTS TO MB AND MRS KIRK

There was a. .very large attendance in the Wakanui Church to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Kirk, who have been transferred to Reefton. Mr Kirk has been Home Missionary in charge of the Presbyterian Church for five years, and the large attendance was sufficient proof of the esteem in- which he and Mrs Kirk are held by the residents. The Rev. A. S. Morrison (itakaia), Moderator-in-charge, occupied the chair, and with him on the platform was Pastor C. S. Matthews (Ashburton). An apology was received from the Rev. A. G. Irvine, of St. Andrew's, Ashburton. The chairman referred to the good work performed by Mr and Mrs Kirk during their stay in the district. He had very much pleasure in asking Mr and Mrs Kirk to accept a well-filled; pocket wallet from the residents of the Wakanui Charge (Riverside Seaview Seafield and Hampstead). He hoped the g"ests would be as successful in their new charge as they had been in Wakanui. . ,_ . Mr A Doak on behalf of the Wakanui 1.0.G.T., presented Bro and Sis. Kirk with an aluminium kettle, iney had he said, been keen lodge members and were always willing to do thenpart to further the cause of temperance. He wished them success m their new charge. _ ' Pastor Matthews referred to Mr link as a kind, industrious, religious, keen mau, but he could not have been so successful had it not been for the valuable assistance given him by Mrs Mr, A. Wilson spoke of the good fellowship that had always existed between Mr Kirk and his congregation and the committees. He wished him God speed and a prosperous future ] Mr J. Bruce, Seafield, also spoke m eulogistic terms of the guests of the missis Beth and jean Kirk were presented with a Bible and Chmch Praise, respectively, from the Sunday School, and a box of handkerchiefs from their day-school mates. On rising to respond Mr Kirk was greeted with rounds of applause and the singing of "They are Jolly Good Fellows " He said words failed him to express bis thanks for their presents and for the very complimentary remarks made about Mrs Kirk and himself Ho had.always received great kindness and respect from the people of the district and naturally he felt the parting very much. , During the evening a musical programme was given, the following contributing:—Pianoforte solo, Miss Norrish ; songs Mesdames H. Brown, and A Wilsou, 'Messrs Clcmo, Brand, and

Craighead. Miss Norrisli acted as accompanist. After a verse of the National Anthem had been sung, supper was handed round, bringing a very successful eyenng to a close.