VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

Lake County Press, Issue 2637, 22 June 1916, Page 4

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

Tendered to Rev. W. Uphill. The Rev. Wm. Uphill, who is relinquishing charge of the Parish of Wakatipu to take over the Lawrence * charge, was entertained at a valedictory social and made the recipient of a presentation by the parishioners of St. Paul's, on Wednesday evening, 14th inst Mr Uphill has been Vicar of Wakatipu for about four years, and his popularity with his parishioners in the Arrow portion of his large district was clearly made manifest by the large attendance on Wednesday evening. Representatives from all parts of the district were present, and the Parish Hall was crowded to tho doors. The first part of the evening was devoted to progressive euchre and competitions of various kinds. The euchre prizes were won by the following:—First prizes—Miss O'Fee and Mr W Thompson ; booby prizes—Miss Gedney and Mr A. McLean. A guessing competition was won by Rev. Uphill, while Miss Preston secured the booby prize. Prior to the supper adjournment the guest of the evening was made the recipient of a presentation. 1 On the platform were Messrs G. H. Romans, G. D. Baird, T. Pope, R. M. Paterson, and Jno. Jenkins, members of the church committee. Mr Romans said they had mei to say good-bye to their friend and pastor, Mr Uphill, and they would all regret that Mrs Uphill was unable to be present, During his four years' ministry in Wakatipu Mr Uphill had won the love and respect of his parishioners, and had also endeared himself to all classes of the community. They all admired Mr Uphill. He was a mau of sterling character, who held liberal views, and who at all times was kindly and sympathetic. Every member ot the congregation would regret that Mr Uphill was leaving the district, and one and all would wish him every success in his new sphere of labor (Applause). Mr Romans then presented Mr Uphill with a well-filled purse of sovereigns, which be asked bim to accept as a slight token of the esteem and respect in wbicb he is held by parishioners in Arrow and Furrounding districts. Cheers • were then given for Mr Uphill, and all present joined in singing " For he i? a jolly good fellow." Mr G. D. Baird also referred in laudatory terms to Mr Uphill's work in the parish, and expressed regret that he was leaving the district. On rising to reply Mr Uphill was received with prolonged applause. He »aid that at such a moment it was difficult to express one's feelings, buS he would be sadly Licking in gratitude if he could not recogniju an 1 appreciate the many kindnesses hd had / re> ceived at the hands of his parishioners i i Arrow and district. In reg trd to church matters the peop'e had, been wonderfully responsive, and he felt that his ministry among them had at 1-ast been fairly successful. No one wis a hero in his own couotry, and he wis quite conscious Of his shonojmings. If, in the course or his duties he had trodden on any one's ojrns, he would assure them that he had done so unintentionally. He was genuinely sorry that he was leaving a district in which he had made so many friends, and he very much regretted that Mrs Uphill had been unable to be present that evening. Mr Uphill went on to refer to church matters, and said that his successor had not yet been appointed. He hoped that the ap> pointment wauld not be long delayed, and he suggested that in the mean* time some member of the church committee should assume the duties of lay reader. In c.inclusion Mr Uphill again thanked them for the reception they had accorded hiin that evening and also for the present he had just re« ceived. A bountiful supper was povided by the ladies. The dmed nru-uo was supplied by Misses Ingrain, G. Preston, and Jenkins (2), and Mr Lyons, while Mr Lyons acted as M.C. The proceedings closed with the National Anthem.