Rev. A. A. Armstrong Farewelled

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 187, 9 August 1940, Page 3

Rev. A. A. Armstrong Farewelled

♦ . LARGE GATHERING AT ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. A. A. Armstrong, who will leave Pahiatua shortly to tako charge of the Presbytery at Drury, South Auckland, was tendered a farewell at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on "Wednesday There were present visitors and friends from all parts of the district, together with clergy from surrounding parishes and the hall was filled to overflowing. Rev. J. Davie, Moderator of the Wairarapa Assembly, .occupied the chair aud, in bidding Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong farewell, paid a high tribute to their work in this district during a period of over two years. The parish nas a large and a difficult one, and its management had occasioned ceaseless travelling. Particular reference was made to Mr. Armstrong’s efforts so far as Pongaroa was concerned, this district having been a big addition to the minister’s already large parish. As the result of Mr. Armstrong’s administration, the Pahiatua Presbyterian parish was now in a flourishing condition, which had not been the case when he came here. His loss to the district would therefore be great.

Other speakers who paid tribute to the work of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were: Rev. McNeur, who had been appointed interim moderator of the parish at a meeting of the Wairarapa Presbytery held earlier in the day: Rev. Dickie, of Masterton; Rev. W. E. Moore, on behalf of the Ministers’ Association; Envoy Painter, of the Salvation Army; Rev. W. H. Nicholas, of Woodville, and Rev. K. F. Button, of the Anglican Church. After Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, together with their son Wallace, had been asked to take the stage, Mr. L. H. Hoi da way, on behalf of t.he Session, spoke at* length and in glowing terms of the regard in which Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were held in Pahiatua and the district. On behalf of tho St. Paul’s congregation, he had much pleasure in presenting the departing minister and his wife with a handsome cheque and to Wallace Armstrong a wristlet watch. In replying, Mr. Armstrong said that it was with regret that he was leaving a district in which he and Mrs. Armstrong had found very happy associations. The success he had achieved hero had been due entirely to the response of his congregation, which had at all times rendered its best assistance. He also referred to the spirit of fellowship which existed among the local «*lergv and which was to the mutual benefit, of those engaged in spreading the Gospel. Rev. Armstrong also thanked the local Board of Managers, which had given him every help at all limes.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, supper was served, while during the evening items wero rendered by the St. Paul’s choir, Mr. Rankin, Mr. Macdonald, Mr. Anderson, and a trio (Mesdames McCardle, Whiting and Harrington).