PIO PIO.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 580, 28 June 1913, Page 5

PIO PIO.

VALEDICTORY TO MR WALLACE On Wednesday evening there was a meetingjof Church of England people at Mr Hattaway's boarding house. The first part of the meeting was devoted to church business, the latter taking the form'of a social gathering, at]which a presentation was made to Mr Ogle-Wallace, who is leaving the district. The Rev. E. S. Wayne, who was in the chair, spoke of the steady progress of the church since Mr Spencer was the only clergyman in this part of the King Country, and took services from Otorohanga to Raurimu along the railway line, Ohura and" this district. Now there were clergymen stationed at Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui and Ohura, and for the last eighteen months Mr Wallace had been among them at Pio Pio. It seemed an experiment, when hs (the speaker) had asked them to assist to find the necessary stipend, but the result fully justified the undertaking. Mr Wallace was giving back his stipend for the last few weeks, and they were quite clear of debt, with £lO in hand towards buying land in Pio Pio. Mr Wallace had stuck gamely to the work winter and summer and had made warm friends. Mr Wayne added that he had not heard of a man to take Mr Wallace's place, but in the meantime services would be given as often [as possible, and he did not only look forward to the loyal support towards the stipend, but to see them before long worshipping in their own church. He hoped to see a church built at Pio Pio, and also at Aria and Ratanui, that they might be centres of worship for the whole district. He had been encouraged by some of the people offering to double their subscription this year and asking if it were possible to find a man in full orders. After tb= business the presentation was made by Mr Hattaway. He had much pleasure in presenting Mr Oele-Wallace with token of remembrace from some of his friends. He knew many more would have liked to join them. The presentation took the form of two handsome pipes in their case, a cigar andcigarette holder, and silver match box. fMr Wallace suitably replied. He thanked them for their token of regard and assured them of his continued remembrance of them. ['After several others had spoken, a very pleasant programme of recitations and songs and supper brought the meeting to a when a vote of thanks was passed to Mr and Mrs D. Hattaway for their hospitality.