Pahiatua Anglican Festival

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 2

Pahiatua Anglican Festival

VISIT or RT. REV. G. V. GERARD St. Peter’s Church, Pahiatua, was filled to capacity on Thursday evening on the occasion of the special service for the patronal festival and the 51st. anniversary of the church. A notable feature of the occasion was the visit of Rt. Rev. G. V. Gerard, Bishop of Waiapu, and a former vicar of the parish, who, with Mrs. Gerard, was present at the festival by special invitation. The service was conducted by the vicar, Rev. F. K. Button, and the preacher was Bishop Gerard. Special hymns were sung and an anthem was rendered by the choir, conducted by the choirmaster, Mr. A. W. Hamilton. Mrs. H. A. Bick was at tho organ. After the service a troup of Scouts, comprising four Scoutors, six Cubs and 10 Scouts, was inspected by the bishop. A very pleasant social, during which the bishop and his wife renewed many old acquaintances, was held at the conclusion of the service, in tho Sunday School hall, which had been beautifully decorated for the occasion by Mrs. S. K. Siddells with hydrangeas, Iceland popl)ies, chrysanthemums, rhododendrons, nerines and autumn berries. The guests of honour were briefly welcomed by Rev. Mr. Button, who commented on the great honour Bishop Gerard had brought to Pahiatua and how well the parishioners had shown their appreciation of that honour by attending tho social in such numbers. Mr. A. W. Hamilton added his tribute of thanks on behalf of the parishioners. This was, he said, a red letter day in the history of the parish, and ho welcomed the bishop and his wife and extended to them best wishes for their work in the future. The Mayor, Mr. S. K. Siddells, also extended a welcome on behalf of the residents of Pahiatua, and added his personal congratulations to the bishop on his preferment. Memories Recalled “It is a very great pleasure for both of us to be buck amongst you,” said tho bishop in reply. “We had a great many corners rubbed off us while wo were here, and we thank you for helping to do the rubbing. We spent some very happy years here, and you made our stay very pleasant and comfortable. “It is encouraging/’ he continued, “to se so many familiar faces among the gathering to-night, and it shows how well people ai*o holding to the Church, as they did when I was here. I was particularly pleased to meet again Mrs. J. D. Wilson, tho wife of your former mayor, with whom I was often associated in public affairs.” It was also encouraging, he added, to see the Scouts present, and he recalled the happy activities lie had enjoyed with them in Pahiatua. “I am thankful,” tho bishop concluded, “for the invitation to come

back again, and for the opportunity to shako hands with old friends, and I thank you from tho bottom of my heart for your kiud welcome.” Pleasant Social Evening A very pleasant social evening was then enjoyed, two vocal solos, “Jerusalem” and “The Kerry Dancing,” beitig contributed by Miss Junker, and Mr. W. B. Gray entertained the gathering with a display of conjuring. A delicious supper was served by the members of the Ladies’ Guild, ana was greatly appreciated. At the conclusion of the evening Rev. Mr. Button expressed thanks to Miss Junker and Mr. Gray for their entertainment, and to the Ladies’ Guild for their work on tho supper arrangements and in preparing and cloaning tho hall.