A CHOIRMASTER RETIRES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21197, 22 June 1934, Page 15

A CHOIRMASTER RETIRES

; ♦ i MR \Y. SIMPSON HON'OrUED j A large number of parishioners gath-: I cred in the Ru-yby Street Methodist I schoolroom. last. evening, to honour I Mr W. Simpson, who lias retired after 33 years' service as choirmaster of the church. Mr W. Rowe was in the chair. Mr Rowe said that it was a great pleasure to him to preside over such a meeting. Mr Simpson, he said, had rendered conspicuous service to the 'church on many occasions. The most outstanding service he had done for the church was not as choirmaster —he was more than that—but as musical director. In training a multitude of choristers for the church he had done a service which could not be repaid. He wished to convey to Mr Simpson the thanks of the church. Speaking on behalf of the trustees and the Sunday School, Mr Frank Thompson said that. Mi' Simpson would always bo remembered for two things —the dignity with which he had cari ried out his work, and his constancy. Morning and evening tor 33 years he had been present at his post. Mr C. C. Sandford spoke on behalf of the congregation, and Miss Chaplin on behalf of the choir. Commendatory letters to Mr Simpson f tcm all parts of New Zealand were read by Mr A. F. Barrel!. On behalf of members of the church Mr Rowe then presented Mr Simpson with a grandfather's clock. In accepting the gift. Mr Simpson said that he was overwhelmed to see so many of his old friends present. He remarked that the occasion reminded him of a joke about a person in a similar position, who, having listened to all the praise for himself and having been presented with a gift, decided that lie would not resign after all. However, he could assure his hearers that ho did not intend to follow the example. Referring to the esteem and affection he had always had for his choirs. Mr Simpson said that if he had all his choristers back again in one big choir he would feel that he was in heaven. He thought that the fact that. 10 choirmasters had gone out from his choir was proof in itself of the way he and his choristers had cooperated.' During the evening items were given by Mr Clive Hindle (song). Mrs Parker, Timaru (songs), Mrs Barrell and Miss Partridge (duet), and Mr Harold Hindle, Wellington (song). I An autograph competition was won . by Mr P. le Brun.