Rev. J.C. Fussell Farewelled

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4487, 1 October 1940, Page 2

Rev. J.C. Fussell Farewelled

ARROWTOWN TRIBUTE The members of St. Pauls Church Airowtown, and several friends, took formal leave of the Rev. J. G. Fussed in the Atheneum Hall. on Wednesday evening last. There was a good attendance and sincere regret was expressed by the various speakers at the impending departure of a vicar who was much respected by church adherents as well as by people generally. Mr W. H. James, mayor of Arrow town, who acted as chairman. said he was very pleased to see so marry present to bid farewell to Rev. Mr Fussed. In a public sense Mr Fussell was a broadminded and much respected minister, and he was exceedingly sorry that he was> leaving the district. In his various acttivities the departing vicar had been of great assistance and he would be verv much missed. His conduct of and addresses at the Anzac Services were always much appreciated and on behalf of the people of the district he extended hearty good wishes to Mr Fussell and every happiness in lira old home. . Mr M. Elliott secretary of the Arrowtown branch of the R.S A . spoke of the high esteem in which Mr Inssell was held by returned soldiers of the district. When he returned to the north, he would no doubt again be the friend of the “diggers as he had been in Arrow-town.. Mr • G H. Romans, churchwarden, said St.'Paul’s would very much regret the departure of the Rev. Mi Fussell. The parishionens great.y appreciated his services and sermons and their presence at the gathering amply testified to the goodwill the church people . Mr Fussell had many friends outside the church and those, too. shared the regret that he was leaving. The speaker said he had listened to the: sermons: ol nianv other clergymen in. the. past 60 years but none had made such an impression on him and he would say this was- the feeling of everyoUiei member. They: would look back with great pleasure to the tw'o-and-a-hlalif years Mr Fussell had been with them. Sir Romans said he believed they had reason to be pleased that the Rev. D. Millar would succeed Mr bussed He was well recommended by Has Lordship the Bishop and he could assure him that he would receive every encouragement from the churchpeopß. In extending to Mr Fussell and Miss Fussell their* very best washes, he asked the departing vicar to accept a small monetary gift from the congregation. _ , r -iIn replying, the Rev. Mr Fussell thanked the speakers for the nr kindly sentiments! and all those who had come to say a, formal good-bye tali im. He was told when he arrived in the district that he would find the Arrow people very friendly ana sympathetic. He had found this so and Iris first impression had been sustained up tb (the present., He was "•rateful to Mr Elliott, for the acknow- ‘ ledgemeiTt of his services to the returned men; he had found them sterling fellows. Judging by the calibre of the soldiers, in the last war. he felt convinced they were going to- win the. present one and thus rid the world of a dreadful tyranny. He very much appreciated the remarks of Mr Romans. He had been an inspiration to him since he arrived in the district. ‘ Hie was. indeed a grand old man and had had a splendid innings.’’’ said Mr FusselH The speaker said that if he bad done anything to uphold the faith in God in the parish, lie had not laboured in vain. He sincerely appreciated the sympathy and goodwill of the people. Mr Fussell commended the new vicar Rev. D. Millar, to the parish and felt sure that his ministrations' would be acceptable to the churchpeople. _ The following programme of musical items interspersed the addresses -and was very much enjoyed. Pi.aonforte duet, Mrs Jas. Raid and Keith Reid: songs, Mr Jas. McDonald; pianoforte solo, Miss McLauch.lan ; violin solo, Mr Goomes; clarinet solo. Mr D. R, Rowe; “The Stump Speech,” Rev. Fussell and lan McLeod; piano-

forte solos. Master Norman Johnston and Miss Betty Grant, Supper was handed round by the ladies and a very pleasant gathering concluded with the singing of “Aiild Lang Syne.’’