CURATE FAREWELLED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 14 July 1936, Page 9

CURATE FAREWELLED

PARISHIONERS’ GIFT,

FUNCTION AT ALL SAINTS’

A largo number of parishioners of All Saints’ Church assembled in the church ball, last evening, to farewell Rev. F. 0. Ball assistant-curate, who has been appointed to take charge of the parish of Martin borough and leaves shortly for his new sphere of activity. Canon G. Y. Woodward, the vicar, who was in the chair, said it was four years since Mr Ball had come to the parish from St. John’s College. All Saints’ had been his first church. He bad come hero as a young priest to learn, to get experience for Ins future life, and lie had succeeded. Mr Ball had many characteristics, but the best was his loyalty to his church, parish, and vicar. Ho had preached his first sermon at All Saints’, taken his first baptism, and bis first wedding there. He had discovered there were tlirc;-' kinds of church people—the good church people, the half-hearted, and the “wobblers.” He had had experience of them all, and when he went to his own church he would know how to deal with them. Canon Woodward paid a tribute to Air Ball as a preacher. Tliat ho had been able to bold the people’s attention showed his ability in that regard. He was much respected and loved by all the parishioners. Canon Woodward mentioned that Mr Ball was to be married on Wednesday week to Miss M. Cowburn, who had grown up in the parish and taken a prominent part iii church activities, and in conclusion he wished them every happiness and best wishes from all at All Saints’.

p- Bagnall, a churchwarden, said Mr Ball, right from the start, had “fitted like a hand into a glove.” He had had a lot to do, but lie was always most willing and cheerful. Ho asked Mr Ball to accept a cheque on behalf ot the parish and wished him ami Ins future wife every happiness in tJieir now life.

Mr 0. Monrad, vicar’s warden, said he liked Mr Ball when he first eo.me and after four years ho could say he liked him more. He was genuine right through and they all felt very much his impending departure. Air J. Holmes ltunnicles, organist and choirmaster, offered Air Ball best wishes on behalf of the choir and himself. .They would all watch his iuture with great interest. Mr Ball was warmly received on rising to reply. He thanked the parishioners for their gift. His recollections of Palmerston North went back to about eight years ago, when his home was in Christchurch and he was a student at St. John’s. He used to break the journey here and visit All Saints’. Hence bis connection with the parish was longer than four years. All his associations here had been very happy. There had always been the best of friendship between the vicar and himself, and bo thanked Canon AVoodward for bis great assistance. He had his regrets at leaving, and he would never forget All Saints’, which was blessed with wonderful workers. He especially thanked the churchwardens, Messrs Bagnall and Monrad. He hoped whoever followed him would have as happy a time as he had had during the last four years, Air Ball concluded.

Songs were sung by Mrs AA r . Bighani and Masters Softon Freeman and John Aloxon.

Slipper was served