LYTTELTON NEWS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18399, 4 June 1925, Page 14

LYTTELTON NEWS.

Personal. A very pleasant interlude took place at the Diamond Jubilee celebration banquet of St. John's Church, on Tuesday evening, when two very old members of the church, Captain and Mrs R. Hatchwell, were honoured. Tho Rev. W, F.' Nichol said thoy had with them that evening two members who had been connected with tho church for a very long time. He referred to Captain and Mrs R. Hatchwell, who had been members of the' church for over forty years. They were held in high honour and esteem, not only in thgir own congregation, but throughout the. whole community. Captain Hatchwell was, indeed, the "Grand Old Man" of St. John's Church, and, applying the same description to Mrs Hatchwell, with a slight alteration, ho would say that sho was the "Grand Old Woman" of tho church. (Laughter.) It was his pleasing duty to pa<esent to Captain and Mrs Hatchwell two Long 'Service Diplomas, awarded by; the General Assembly. Captain Hatchwell's record was 40 years teacher of tho Sunday School, 35 years superintendent, 39 yoars a number of the committee, nine ycarß secre-, tary of tho church, 25 years treasurer, 28 years an elder. Mrs Hatchwell's record, was 42 years a teacher of the Sunday School and Bible Class. Ho thought Captain and Mrs Hatchwell's record unique in tlio history of any church in any denomination in tho Dominion. Ho asked their acceptance of tho two diplomas. The presentation was made with musical honours. ' Captain Hatchwell thanked Mr Nichol for the presentation, and those present for their expressions of approval. They would notice .that Mrs Hatchwell's term, was , 42 yoars, and-his own was only 41, and he did not mind tolling them that if it had not been for tho influence of "tho old woman" Tiis term might not have been so long. (Laughter.) Sho set him a. good exampio on their arrival in Lytteltdn by ai onco joining. St. John's, an example which a year later he rather tardily, perhaps, followed. Ho hoped they would have many more pleasant years to spend among tho congregation. A surprise was sprung oil the Rer. "W. F. Nichol,. minister of St. John's,' at . a later stage, when Mrs Hatchwell, ■on behalf of the ladies of the congregation, asked his acceptance of a silver spoon and plate for 1 a little son who recently arrived at the Manse. .In a happy little speech Mrs Hatchwell mentioned that during tho time the Manse had been erected, over forty years, only one. other son had been born there. \ Mr Nichol replied on behalf of tho new arrival; thanking the ladies for their kindness.