FOXTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 119, 16 April 1930, Page 2

FOXTON.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.') FOXTON, April 16. Tho eighty-fifth anniversary celebrations in connection with the local Presbyterian Church was brought to a close last evening when a banquet was held. The repast was provided by the ladies of tho congregation. A feature of the banquet was a birthday cake made and presented by Mrs J. Walls which was cut by Air Linklater the proceedings and handed around. Tho function was presided over by Air J. Linklater who, in his opening remarks, read a number of apologies from those unablo fb be present, including tho Rt. Rev. Goo. Budd (Moderator of tho General Assembly), and Aliss Duncan, daughter of tho late Rev. James Duncan. Mr Linklator, in proposing the toast of “The Presbyterian Church,” touched on the good work dono by the Church since civilisation had first come to tho _ country. He spoke of tho hardships which confronted but had not daunted the pioneering ministers, and the good that had resulted from their efforts. They had not remained in tho centres of population but had carried their works into tho far away places at great sacrifice to themselves. And they had boon ably supported by their wives They had reared their temples to God and to them had to bo attributed tho good which had resulted to-day. When they gathered together to celebrate the good work of tho pioneer missionary of tho Alanawatu it was regrettable that they could not have these pioneers present with them. , , , , Rev. Alclvor (Alarton) responded on behalf of tho Church. Ho said it comprised over 250 charges and moro than 100 mission stations. Its income was over one and a-quartcr million per annum and it ownod property to tho extent of several millions. A reviow of the records •of the local church, which did not go back furthor than 1884, showed that it originally belonged to tho Wellington Prosbytery which extended from Wellington to New Plymouth. In 1884 a separato Presbytery was set up which comprised six ministers _ and one older. Rev. James Duncan, being senior minister, was elected first Moderator and tho late Rev. Jamos Doull first clerk. Rev. Isaac Jolly was then a student ministering in Taranaki. Later ho became a minister at Palmerston North, and Moderator of tho chargo and was now living in retirement. " , . _ Rev. G. T. Brown (Palmerston North) proposed the toast of “Tho Foxton Presbyterian Church,” and in doing so touched on tho work of the various ministers since tho inception of tho church. Responses were mado by Messrs John Ross and A. F. Stevenson. Rev. W. H. Nicholas proposed the toast of “Sister Churches.” Rev. W. H. Walton replied. Mr J. Chrvstall tendered congratulations on behalf of tho Methodist Church and Ensign Smith spoke on behalf of tho Salvation Army. Mr .T. K. Hornblow proposed the toast of “The New Zealand Parliament and Local Bodies.” Messrs J. A. Nash,- ALP., M. E. Perreau and W. E. Barber replied. Tho toast of “The Ladies” was proposod by Mr D. R. Barron and responded to by Alosdames M. E. Perreau and J. K. Hornblow. The function concluded with the singing of the Doxology. Vocal and elocutionary items woro rendered by the following:—Air J. Buglas3 and Messrs D. and H. Morgan (Palmerston North), Miss Davey, Air Henderson (Marton), Miss Jean Stevenson, Mr D. Barron and J. Linklater. M.P. Accompaniments woro playod by Misses Patterson and H. Alorgan and Air J. A. Nash. \ .