VALEDICTORY.

Matamata Record, Volume XIV, Issue 1193, 5 February 1931, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

REV. AND MRS. C. W. TURNER. St. Andrew’s Hall was filled with a very representative gathering on Tuesday night, the occasion being a public farewell to Rev. C. W. Turner, who has recently been appointed vicar of Te Aroha. With Mr. Turner were Mrs. Turner and Miss Joan Turner, and also on the platform were Mr. T. H. Prowse (people’s warden, who acted as chairman), Rev. A. C. Hampton (Presbyterian minister), Father D. V. Silk (Roman Catholic priest), Rev. J. H. Hall (Methodist minister) and Rev. W. J.. Scott (acting vicar). Other official visitors were Mr. W. L. Pirie (representing the Presbyterian Church) : and Mr. Percy Field (representing the Methodist Church). A concert programme, consisting of glees by the choir, and other musical items, was much appreci- ! ated, and at the conclusion of the j evening supper was handed round by the ladies. i In addressing those present Mr. Prowse said Mr. Turner had endeared himself to most people, which was saying a great deal, for the man who could please all people was not ‘ yet born. Not only was Mr. Turner appreciated by his own flock but also by the people of Matamata. (Applause.) He had been very sincere in his work, which he had carried out faithfully and well. He was a clergyman every day in the week, yet with it' all he never went about with a long face, but he always had a cheery smile. Mrs. Turner had proved herself to be a great organiser both in church and social work and was president of the Ladies’ Guild, which was the pillar of the church. She had also been superintendent of the Sunday school, which had progressed wonderfully under her leadership, and she was also the president of the Matamata branch of the Mothers’ Union. She had also been appointed diocesan president of the Waikato branch of the Mothers’ Union, which spoke well for her ability. Mr. Prowse wished them every success in their new sphere of activities.

Father Silk apologised for the unavoidable absence through illness of Mr. Ben Roberts, secretary of the Catholic Church, on whom he had been relying - to make a speech. Mr. Turner was going to a hot place j (laughter), and this reminded him of the story of a clergyman who had left a parish in which he had not been a favourite. In his farewell speech this clergyman said they had not loved him, because they had given him no support; they had not loved each other, because there had been no marriages ; and God had not loved them, because there had been no deaths. However, he had been appointed as chaplain to a gaol and he would prepare a place for them. (Laughter.) Though Mr. Turner had been appointed to a hot place the speaker hoped he was not going to prepare a place therein for members [of his late flock. (Loud laughter.) f Speaking seriously, Father Silk recalled that when Rev. Connolly had left Matamata they had thought his place would be hard to fill. However, he thought Mr. Turner had worthily filled the gap. During his five years’ residence he had done much to remove the barriers of bigotry, for he was a man who stood up and did not allow any private beliefs to influence his daily life. He had always a jovial smile for everyone, whether a member of his church or not. Such an attitude was greatly to be admired, and it was regrettable that at times some people, often of poor education, would endeavour to instruct those • who had devoted their lives to the cause, but would not go to a doctor for legal advice or to a lawyer for a pill, and he thought more heed should, be paid to the feelings of those who had devoted their lives to religious work. Mr. and Mrs. Turner had made untold sacrifices as missionaries in the islands and had endeared themselves to non-Anglicans» as well as Anglicans. The speaker wished them great success in their

new parish. Rev. A. C. Hampton said it was with mixed feelings that he attended that evening. He was glad of the privilege to add his tribute to the worth of the guests of the evening, but he regretted that he was losing a staunch friend and a brotherly Christian gentleman. The community was losing a good citizen, and the speaker felt sure that wherever Mr. Turner went he would promote that much-needed spirit of friendliness and brotherhood between the different Christian denominations. The speaker personally did not like longfaced Christians, and Mr. Turner was not of that order, for his laugh ind ready joke would smash up the vorst attack of the blues. Apart from his church work Mr. Turner lad been a most sociable man and

had been ever ready to help with a social or concert. In fact at most of the Presbyterian concerts he had been the star attraction (applause), and the speaker did not know what the children of Matamata would do without “ Claude.” (Laughter.) He wished Mr. and Mrs. Turner every success in their new field. Rev. J. H. Hall said he had only been in Matamata for a very short time but he had learned to appreciate Mr. Turner’s good qualities. It gave him very great pleasure to extend the greetings of the Methodist Church and to convey to Mr. Turner their best wishes for the future. Messrs. W. L. Pirie and P. Field also spoke on behalf of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the former referring to Mr. Turner’s fine work with the Matamata Musical Society.

Mr. J. Cranswick then handed Mr. Turner a well-filled wallet as a token of appreciation from members and friends of the church. Two beautiful bouquets were presented to Mrs. Turner and Miss Joan Turner by Misses Betty and Mary Brisco.

On rising to reply Mr. Turner was greeted with warm applause. In a characteristically-humorous speech he delighted his audience with numeri ous sallies, and in more serious vein he referred to the great help he had recived in his ministrations while in Matamata. Mr. Cranswick had kept the church grounds in beautiful order for five years, and the appearance of the church was as good as a sermon. He thought that one could "tell the character of a person by the surroundings of his home, and the appearance of the church was a credit to Mr. Cranswick, and, the speaker hoped, an inspiration to others. The vestry had. worked well together, and the choir had been remarkably faithful. Indeed he could not recall a church where the choir had been so regular in attendance. The Sunday school had given him great joy, while the Ladies Guild had worked and slaved in a wonderful manner and had given the proceeds of the work to the vestry. The Men’s Society, though only recently formed, had erected a meeting place which was the forerunner of a parish hall, which he hoped would shortly be forthcoming. A factor which had greatly inspired him was the great help received from the out districts. It was disheartening for a minister when visiting these stations to have to hunt for the key, then open the door and start to push forms about. When, however, he found the door open, the forms arranged, something to kneel on placed in read'ness, flowers in a vase and somebody to greet him, as was the case in the Matamata district, it was a great inspiration and help. He could not put into words all he desired to say,. but he and his family would never forget the time spent inMatamata, of which district they would ever retain pleasant memories..