VALEDICTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 September 1927, Page 2

VALEDICTORY

MR AND MRS E. B. MABIN. The parishioners of Holy Trinity Church gathered in force last evening, in Trinity Hall ,to bid a formal farewell to Mr E. B. Mabin, who has been closely identified with the work of the church for the past twenty-five or thirty years in the capacities of layreader,’ churchwarden, superintendent at Blaketown Sunday School, and as a choir member. Owing to the indisposition of Archdeacon Carr, Mr George Smart presided. The hall was decorated with festoons of crinkled tissue, the gathering* taking the form of a social evening. The platform was occupied by Messrs G. Smart, F. Harley, W. R. J. Smythe, Mrs Carr and, the guests of honour, Mr and Mrs Mabin. “After the National Anthem had been sung, Dlrs Carr presented Dlrs Dlabin with a handsome bouquet. A programme of musical and other items was presented by Dlrs' Nash. Misses E. Elision, Dun shea, Cara Hopgood, DI. Coburn, Messrs J. Hadland. N. Jones, T. Savage, F. Harley and F. Smith.

Midway in the programme, Dlr Smart read apologies for absence from Messrs G. S. Pratt, Dlr and Dlrs W. R. Kettle, Dlr and Dlrs Saywell, Dlr T. Jones. Dlr W. H. Parfitt and Dlr J. Steer. He then called on Dlr Harley to do the honours of the evening. Dlr Harley said he had the greatest pleasure in doing the Chairman’s bidding. He had known Mr Dlabin perhaps longer than anyone else in the hall. He had served the churchpeople for more than a quarter of a century, having been People’s Warden, and for the past five years, Vicar’s Warden. He had always taken a deep interest in the church, and “push-biked” to Maori Creek, Dlarsden, Rutherglen, Paroa, Cobden and Ruuanga to take services, during Archdeacon York’s pastorate, when there were no other means of locomotion. He had also been superintendent of the Blaketown Sunday School ever since it was opened. Dlr Harley said he wished there were more of Mr Dlabin’s kind in the church. The majority were content to leave the work of the church to a few who were enthusiastic. He was pleased to see so many present to do honour to Mr and Mrs Mabin. Dlr Dlabin was leaving for sunny Nelson and would be attaching himself to All Saints parish. Me hoped he would.find time to visit Grey mouth sometimes. On behalf of the parishioners he had pleasure in asking Dlr Dlabin to accept, as a token ■>l esteem, a wallet and cheque. With the latter, it was desired that he (Dlr Mabin) would purchase some suitable souvenir to remind him of his many friends in Holy Trinity Church. He wished Dlr and Dlrs Dlabin and their family every future success and happiness. Dlr Dlabin, who on rising to respond was greeted with prolonged applause, said the occasion was one on which ■t was hard to find words to adequately express his feelings. He thanked hem sincerely for their handsome gift and for thfe many good wishes accompanying it. He looked for no reward ter what he had done, other than to see the parishioners good citizens and loyal to their church. He considered [jt an honour to belong to the Church of England. He related a number of his experiences since he took up office iii the church first in Blenheim, then I ht 'Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, and finally at Greymouth again. He was sorry to leave Greymouth, but the Fates decreed that he should go, and so go he must. His residence in .Greymouth would always remain a happy memory. He had come to the West Coast forty years ago, to Westport, just at the end of the “good old days.” He had been ever since handling the “yellow stuff.” Now he was about to try his hand at hop and apple picking. It was strange, after so many years’ absence, to be going to Nelson again. In conclusion, he could only say “Thank you for all your kindness.”

On behalf of tlie Choir, Mr F. Smith, choirmaster, said he wished to thank Mr Mabin for his assistance to the Choir. After the programme of music was completed, the seats were placed round the hall, and a sumptuous supper was handed round. During a short interval, before supper, dancing was indulged in, and Mr and Mrs Mabin were afforded an opportunity to chat with their friends. “Auld Lang Syne’’ was sung at the conclusion of tlie happy gathering.