Dean Fancourt Pays Brief Visit to City

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 259, 1 November 1937, Page 12

Dean Fancourt Pays Brief Visit to City

TEA WITH MEMBERS OF ALL SAINTS MEN’S CLUB

Members of All Saints Men’s Club met at a pleasant function yesterday, held for tho purpose of renewing acquaintances with Dean Fancourt, of Auckland, one of the prime movers in the forming of the club, and of saying farewell, as a club, to Rev. Mr Langston and Mrs Langston. Dean Fancourt is in Palmerston North in connection with the All Saints’ Day services, and members were pleased to have the opportunity to talk ever old times with him. Rev. Mr Langston has been acting as vicar during the absence abroad of Canon Woodward and will return to the Eltham parish in a few weeks’ time, and as the club will be in recess for several months, it was decided to take the opportunity of saying good-bye to him. Over 40 members attended, the proceedings taking the form of a tea and chat. Mr E. J. Whitehouse, deputypresident of the club, presided. Mr C. J. Langridge, vice-president, referred to the pleasure that had been felt at having Mr and Mrs Langston in the parish for the last 10 months, and expressed tho regret of all that they were leaving. Members would look forward to a visit on some future occasion. Mr A. Dryden, secretary, said he was pleased to see Dean Fancourt again, also some of the older members who had been with tho club at its formation. All regretted having to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs Langston, and hoped that when they returned to Eltham they would find time to think of All Saints.

On behalf of the club, Mr Dryden then handed Mr Langston a mounted inkstand and calendar as a slight token of the esteem in which they were held by members, while Mr J. Penketh presented Mrs Langston with a framed picture—‘‘a bouquet that would never fade.” Musical honours were accorded Mr and Mrs Langston. Mr A. D. Barkwith voiced the regret of the Takaro Committee and the ladies at the departure of Mr and Mrs Langston. “Two more sympathetic or kindly persons you could never meet,” stated Major J. T. Bosworth in adding his expression of regret at tho departure of Mr and Mrs Langston. He congratulated Dean Fancourt on his elevation to the dignity of a dean, and trusted that he would go up to tho rank of bishop. Members were pleased to have Dean Fancourt with them again, even though it was only for a short time, said Mr W. W. Jones. Members knew him of old; he was a real stalwart of the parish. All were sorry that Mr and Mrs Langston were leaving and wished them every happiness in the future. Further tributes were added by Messrs J. L. C. Merton, C. R. Robotham, S. W. Olliver, E. Cross and J. Holmes Runnicles, the latter voicing the thanks of the club to the ladies for providing tea. Replying, Mr Langston said he had had a glorious time in tho parish, and both he and Mrs Langston regretted that the time was approaching for their departure. He thanked members of the club for the way in which they had received him, and for their many kindnesses and the presentation. Mrs Langston briefly voiced her thanks. Dean Fancourt said he had been watching the progress of the parish and knew that, with Mr Langston in charge, it would receive fresh life, vigour and inspiration. The fact that over 40 were present at tho function was a great testimony to Mr and Mrs Langston and also to Mr Dryden, the secretary, who had done much for tho club. It was only by throwing oneself into the service of others, and doing it with a good smile, that the world would be made

—— better. There was do substitute for Christianity, with its message of brotherhood. He was proud of having been vicar of All Saints 1 for five years; it was one of the best parishes in New Zealand, because of the warm hearts of the people. Sometimes he thought that, when he retired, there was no place like Palmerston North where he would like to spend the rest of his days as an ordinary parishioner. After further informal chatting, the members attended the evening service at All Saints', where tho service was , taken by Dean Fancourt.