FEILDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 109, 5 April 1933, Page 4

FEILDING.

REV. F COPELAND FARE WELLED. After five years’ ministry in the Methodist Church, Feiiding, Rev. F. Copeland, with Mrs Copeland, was farewelled last night, a large number of members of the church and friends of the departing minister assembling at the church for the occasion. Mr G. Kilvington was in the chair, and associated with him were Rev. Canon F. H. Petrie, Rev. A. X. Scotter (St. Paul’s, Palmerston North), Rev. J. tV. Bayliss (Halcombe), Rev. D. R. McDonald and Adjutant Fraser, of the Salvation Army, Feiiding. After expressing his pleasure at seeing such a large gathering, the chairman regretted that it was for the purpose of farewelling their minister that they had met—he would much rather it had been to welcome him. Air Kilvington referred to Rev. Mr Copeland’s work in Feiiding, paying particular tribute to his messages. They had always been up-to-date. searching messages and his deep sincerity in voicing them had always impressed. As pastor of the circuit, Mr Copeland's work in Feiiding could not have been better—he

had been ever ready to attend to the needy and the sick and many people openly acknowledged their debt to him. As superintendent of the Feiiding circuit and chairman of the Hawke's Bay-Alanawatu district, Mr Copeland had done much to strengthen the appeal of the Church through his administrative ability. In all his work Air Copeland had been ably assisted by Airs Copeland, and it was with the deepest regret that the chairman wished them “God speed’’ and every happiness in their new home in New Plymouth.

. Rev. Air Scotter expressed his pleasure at being associated with the gathering to pay a tribute to the work of Air and Mrs Copeland. The work of Air Copeland had endeared him t-o all in Feiiding and had given his successor a difficult task to maintain. The speaker referred to the good order that existed in the Feiiding circuit through Air Copeland’s efforts, and joined with all present in saying farewell to the departing guests. Rev. Air Bayliss voiced the appreciation of the adherents of the church outside the borough of Feiiding of Air Copeland’s services for them. He had won the love of his people by his work for them and that was the true test of a minister. Superintending a district was an exacting and trving position. but Air Copeland had carried it- through with great credit, while at the same time the duties of his ministry had received his whole attention. Air Bayliss acknowledged the many kindnesses he had received from Air and Airs Copeland and regretted that they were leaving. Rev. Canon Petrie, of St. John’s Anglican Church, said the news of Air Copeland's leaving Feiiding lrnd been regretful to him. However, it was only at farewells that one was sometimes able to express adequately one’s appreciation of the work of another, and that was how the speaker felt in regard to Air Copeland. Canon Petrie had always noticed that the Feikling Methodist Church had enjoyed the services of very fine men. the speaker recalling the previous farewells lie had attended to Rev. Air Stockwell and Rev. Atr Alitcliell. In Air Copeland's departure Canon Petrie knew he was losing a valued colleague and a firm friend—the fact that he was of a different church had not mattered, they were all working for the good of the Church and the speaker could vouch for what Air Copeland had done. He wished both Air and Airs Copeland every j success in their new home.

Adjutant Fraser paid a tribute to Air Conelmid's Christian spirit, a spirit which had gone a long way towards obtaining tbe endearment of his community. It had been an honour to work with him and Mr Fraser was sure that the departing minister would be long and fondly remembered in Feiiding. To Air and Mrs Copeland lie hoped God’s blessing would be given. Tire Mayor (Air C. E. Taylor! acknowledged the efforts that Air Copeland had made during the past five years in unemployment relief and other matters. His had been an honourable service and conscientiously carried out. Air Taylor spoke of the importance of the Christian Church and the work it was doing in world affairs to-day. and added his tribute

to the eulogies of previous speakers of Air Copeland’s valuable ministry in Feiiding. He hoped that in New Plymouth Air and Airs Copeland would find prosperity and happiness, and had much pleasure in asking them to accept from the officers of the Alethodist Church a chiming clock as a token of their admiration and regard. In reply, Rev. Air Copeland hoped his hearers would appreciate the difficulty he felt in answering the many kind expressions that had been made regarding Airs Copeland and himself. It was fitting recompense to him that his efforts had met with appreciation, and it was with a feeling of deep regard that he acknowledged the cooperation of his fellow ministers in Feiiding—they had all been a happy family and his memories would he of the most pleasant. Air Copeland also acknowledged the assistance lie had received from his wife—what had been said of her was true—her work for the congregation had always been unsparing. Air Copeland said he would ever look back on his ministry in Feiiding with happy recollections and of those lie would always have the chimes of the clock to remind him. During the evening the choir, under the baton of Air A. R. Slielton, rendered the anthems ‘'Saviour, Thy Children Keep - ’ and “Fierce Raged tlie Wild Billow.” Solos were contributed by Aliss B. Dewe and Air N. Shelton.

At the conclusion of the gathering Rev. Mr Copeland pronounced the Benediction, the evening ending with the serving of supper in the schoolroom. OLD BOYS’ FOOTBALL CLUB. The Feikling Old Boys Rugby Football Club met on Monday evening, when matters in connection with the coming season were discussed. A proposal that the junior team should be entered in the third grade conijietition was advanced, but it was quickly ascertained that it was the wish of ■ the majority of the members of the junior team to remain at that status, a decision to enter a junior and a senior team in the competitions accordingly being arrived at. It was reported at the meeting that the committee of the club had instructed the secretary to write to the Alanawatu Rugby Union suggesting the postponing of the opening of the district competitions from April 22 to May 6. It was pointed out that the reason for the suggestion was that the Old Boys senior team was I scheduled to play its annual match with AVangnmii Old Boys on April 22 and it would be unable to play the match if the competitions were opened on the 22nd. inst. The Alay date was also thought to be more suitable in view of the fact that little training has yet been done by the chilis and. further, that owing to there being a small programme of representative matches this year the season would conclude in September if it was opened on April 22. The meeting discussed matters of general domestic interest and decided to begin practice at once.

COURT RETURNS. The quarterly returns from the Feiiding Afngistrate’s Court show a drop in the business done for the period ended Alarcli 31. 1933. as compared with Alarcli 31. 1932. The details are ns under, the figures for the corresponding period of the previous vear being shown in parentheses: Number of Court sittings: Criminal IS (IS): civil 5 (51; number of plaints issued, il (91): number of plaints in on.ses tried. 34 (75): total amount sued for. £1270 6s 4d (£990 14s Pd); total amount claimed in cases tried. £BO9 12s 9d (£899 19s Id): total amount recovered. £719 19s (£833 9s 7d) : criminal cases against males. 60 (105); against females. 3 (13): fees and fines paid. £143 17s 6d (£2ll 11s Gd).

The figures for the year ending March 31 as compared to the previous 12 months are as follow:-—Num-ber of Court sittings: Criminal, 54 (65): civil, 35 (2D: number of plaints entered. 263 (412): number of plaints in cases tried. 179 (269); total amount sued for. £4970 18s 6d (£5615 15s Id): amount claimed in cases tried. £4193 16s Id (£3982 Os sd): amount recovered. £3494 13s 2d (£3445 13s 2d): criminal cases against males. 262 (272): against females. 29 (28); fees and fines paid, £755 5s (£826 2s). BUILDING RETURNS. For the year ended March 31. building permits to the number of 47 were

issued in Feikling. the outlay represented being £9423, an average of about £2OO per permit. The detailed monthly returns are as under:—April, one permit, £2O. Alav. seven permits, £1715. June, one permit, £lO. July, live permits, £450. August, four permits, £2lO. September, eight permits, £2955. October, two permits, £55. November, three permits, £512. December and January, ten permits. £1412. February, two permits, £705. Alarcli, four permits, £I3OB.

HOCKEY. 'l'he Feiiding Hockey Association's committee met on Alouday evening to finalise various arrangements for the coming season. It was decided to open the season on April 22. and clubs are to he requested to forward nominations prior to that date so that the fixtures may be drawn up. TENNIS. The final of the Feikling Lawn Tennis Club’s men’s senior singles championship was played this afternoon between AY. Boddy and D. C. Coombe. On Saturday next the club will ,offieiallv close the season, when the finals of the men’s handicap doubles will be played between K. G. Salmond and X. C. Harding and D. C. Coombe and ; G. Darragli. There will also be played the final of the ladies’ doubles between Alisses AT. Rutherford and B. Eliott and Alisses N. Burke and AI. AlcLean. and the mixed doubles final between K. G. Salmond and Aliss At. Rutherford and R. Humphrey and Aliss Gilmniir. In addition the final of the ladies' senior championship will also be decided, flic contestants being AI isses AI. Rutherford and AI. AlcLean. FETLDIXG RESIDENT INJURED. Air H. Done, of Feikling. sustained painful injuries to bis neck last evening. AYlien playing football he collided with another player. He was removed to the Palmerston North Hospital this morning bv the Free Ambulance. The exact- nature of his injuries has not yet been ascertained.