A POPULAR MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17644, 23 November 1917, Page 6

A POPULAR MINISTER.

REV F. P. FENDALL HONOURED. TWENTY-FIYE YEARS' PASTORAL SERVICE. Yesterday afternoon the parishioners of St John's Church, Rangiora, assembled in the parish room Co do honour to their vicar, iho Rev F. P. Fendall, on the completion of his twen-ty-ntyh year of pastoral service in' the town. The room was crowded to the doors, and the proceedings throughout were of a most happy nature Mr T. Leech, parishioners' warden, presided. A large number of telegrams were • received, including one from Bishop Julius, and others.; from ex-parishioni-rs apologising "for absence and conveying congratulations and' good wishes to tho vicar and Mrs Fendall. • Mr W. E. Barton, minister's warden, expressed the. felicitations of tho parishioners and bore testimony to the raithful and .successful way in which the vicar had discharged his pastoral ; duties during his long ministry in tha town, and also his responsibilities as a citizen. The speaker also tnade grate* ful reference to Mrs Fendall'b good work in the parish. Brief speeches of a congratulatory character were made by Canon Purchas, the Revs C. A. Fraer, J. Holland and W. H. Howes, Captain Hawktn, Mr E. W. Relph and the Mayor (Mr 0. I. Jennings), who'referred more particularly to the Rev Mr Fendnll'a services in connection with municipal, v educational and patriotic affairs of the borough.' The presentation of a solid silver tea service to Mr and Mrs Fendall was an interesting part of the proceedings. It had been arranged that Bishop Julius should make the presentation, but in his unavoidable absence the dnty,.was allotted to Archdeacon Gosset). . Mr. Fendall. in response, expressed his deep oratitude to tho speakers for their kindlv reference to Mrs Fendall and himself, and to the parishioners for alj the kindness shown them during their'connection with the pari?h, and the further evidence of their good , feeling in .the present.made them; ■ During th». .afternoon anthems worn sung by the choir, Tinder Mr G. Gibbs Jordan, and after the National Anthem a number of the ladies served afternoon tea. Amongst those who sent apoloeic«i for absence wen? the Verv Rev Dean .Hyland.-and the Rev J. Guy.