MINISTER’S RETIREMENT

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 14

MINISTER’S RETIREMENT

FAREWELLS TO REV. W. W. EWART , Several functions were held in the Taieri-Greeen Island parochial district to bid farewell to the Rev. W. Wilson Ewart, who is retiring from regular active participation in’ the affairs of the parish. On Wednesday of last week the congregation of St. Thomas’s, Outram, tendered a farewell social to Mr and Mrs Ewart at the home of Mrs L'acey. Mr O. Hughes presented Mr Ewart with a fountain pen and Mrs Ewart with crystal ware. The vicar returned thanks for the gifts of the parishioners. On Saturday last the children of St. Luke’s Sunday School, Mosgiel, _ were entertained at a tea and social in St. Luke’s Hall, when opportunity was taken by the children and Sunday school teachers to make a presentation to Mr and Mrs Ewart. The presentation was made by Mrs Murray Wilson (Sunday school superintendent). Mr Ewart made a happy speech in acknowledgment of the gift. On Wednesday the congregation of St. Luke’s, Mosgiel, tendered a valedictory social to Mr and Mrs Ewart in the Church Hall, when there was a large and representative gathering. On behalf of the Mosgiel Ministers’ Association, the Rev. N. Challenger spoke of the esteem in which Mr Ewart is held by his colleagues, who all regretted his departure. Captain Earner H. Jones, of the Salvation Army, referred to Mr Ewart as the “ father ” of the local ministers, and ex'pressed his regret at Mr Ewart’s impending departure. The Rev. S. C. Read (East Taieri Presbyterian Church) and the Rev. E. P. Y. Simpson ‘ (Mosgiel Baptist Church) spoke of the high regard in‘which. Mr Ewart is held by all the people of the district, and wished him every joy in his retirement. The vicar’s warden, Mr A. F. Cheyne, referred to Mr Ewart’s many good qualities as vicar. On behalf of St. Luke’s congregation he presented Mr Ewart with a cheque. Mrs R. Harrison presented Mrs Ewart with a bouquet on behalf of the women of the congregation. Mr Ewart said that he regretted very much that the time had come for him to give up his work. He had made many friends, and the thought of parting from them was painful to him. He thanked all those who had helped him in any way, and on behalf of Mrs Ewart and himself he thanked the congregation for their kind wishes and gifts. During the evening items were contributed by Mrs North (vocal solo), Miss Noela Borrow and Mr L. B. Borrow (duet), Mr L. B. Borrow (vocal solo), Mr J. Mutch (vocal solo), and Mr R. D. Rogers (pianoforte solo). The accompaniments were played by Mr and Mrs L. B. Borrow.