VALEDICTORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 110, 19 February 1937, Page 6

VALEDICTORY.

MR JOHN MACMILLAN. POPULAR- CHURCH ORGANIST On the eye of his departure to take up a position, on the staff of the Waitaki Boys’ School, Mr John MacMillan was the guest of members of the Ashburton South Presbyterian Church in the Presbyterian Central Hall, Tinwald last evening.

During a social evening items were given by Miss E. Lowry (pianoforte), Mrs Roffey (solo), Ross Brothers (instrumental duet). Several choruses were enjoyed by those present and were accompanied by Mr MacMillan, items being interspersed by games and competitions. The Rev. D. D. MacLachlan in asking Mr MacMillan to accept a handsome clock as a token of the appreciation of Tinwald Church, spoke of , the high standard Mr MacMillan had set as organist. Hie appointment to Waitaki Boys’ School was one in which the congregation took pleasure in that it meant promotion for one worthy of

it. . . Mr James Lowry (clerk of Session) thanked Mr MacMillan for his consistent and willing service to the congregation at all times and conveyed the good- wishes of the eldership to him in his new appointment and gratitude for his long term as organist. Mr Keith Campbell (clerk to the court of management said lie liad found in Mr MacMillan those qualities of true friendship and good citizenship which made him very popular in church and community. Mrs H. Millar speaking on behalf of the choir expressed the gratitude of members to Mr MacMillan for the way he had helped on Various occasions. Replying Mr MacMillan recalled the long association of his family with; this church. He said be noted the remark of the Rev. D. D. MacLachlan concerning the clan spirit of Highlanders and felt that a similar spirit in the life of church and community was indispensible. By special request Mr MacMillan concluded by singing a Song of the Scottish Hebrides. During supper served by the ladies of the congregation a social hour was enjoyed by all, who took the opportunity of expressing their good wishes to the guest of the evening, which concluded with “Auld Lang Syne.”