Silver Jubilee as Church Organist

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 109, 9 May 1941, Page 10

Silver Jubilee as Church Organist

ALL SAINTS’ PARISH HONOURS MR. RUNNICLES There was a festive air at All Saints' Parish Hall on Wednesday evening with streamers and autumn flowers in gay profusion, when parishioners had gathered in large numbers to honour Mr. J. Holmes Runnieles on the completion of 25 years as organist and choirmaster at All Saints’ Church. The function took the form of a social and dance, Canon G. Y. Woodward and Mrs. Woodward being the host and hostess, Mr. J. L. C. Merton carrying out the duties of M.C., while Mrs. S. Borresen and her committee had been responsible for the programme, .Mrs. A. J. Hunt and her band of helpers attending to supper.

Mr. F. Caple provided lively dance numbers, assisted by Mrs. F. Wollerman and interspersed with the dances were the following items to add to the evening’s pleasure: —Vocal duets, Mesdames C. Jamieson and L. Ax, accompanied by Mrs. Borresen; elocutionary, Miss Dorothy Langridge; vocal solos, Mrs. H. Anderson, accompanied by Mrs. Wollerman; vocal solos, Mrs. G. Gray, accompanied by Mrs. H. Pierard; vocal duets. Mrs. Borresen and Mr. J. Moxon, Mrs. Borresen at the piano. For the most important event of the evening Canon Woodward called to the stage the guests of honour, Mr. and Mrs. J. Holmes Runnieles, also Miss Margaret Runnieles, the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Mansford), Rev. D. V. de Candole, and the church wardens, Messrs. O. Monrad, H. G. Bagnall and Jos. Batchelar (Linton). Beautiful bouquets were presented to Mrs. and Miss Runnieles.

Many messages of congratulation were received, the Canon reading a letter to the gathering from the Bishop of Wellington (Rt. Rev. St. Barbe Holland), who said he was delighted that such recognition was being given to the splendid service which Mr. Runnieles had rendered to the church during all these years. It was a .joy to him every time he came to All Saints’ Church to find a service that reminded him of church music in the Old Country and above all to realise the spiritual atmosphere which Mr. Runnicies created by his rendering of the service and his ieading of the worship. The standard he was setting was of immense value to the whole diocese. Other messages of congratulation wero received from Mr. R. Bradley (Auckland), a former choir boy; from Dean Fancourt, a former vicar; from Mr. P. Morgan, a choir member who - at the moment is in Auckland: and from the Bible class leaders and Sunday school teachers of the church.

The Mayor offered the good wishes of the citizens of Palmerston North to Mr. Runnieles, al*o his wife and daughter (as previously reported). • Mr. Bagnall added his tribute on behalf of the parishioners and heart felt thanks for his services with the hope that Mr. Runnieles would be spared to celebrate his golden jubilee. In tlie vicar’s warden's opinion (Mr. Monrad) Mr. Runnieles deserved this tribute for having held the choir together, improving it out of all recognition. Jn sincerity and earnestness Mr. Runnieles had been a good and faithful servant giving of his best. He had been a f-redit to All Saints’ and a wonderful help—no one could ask more. Mr. Batchelar conveyed congratulations from Linton parish and in reminiscent vein recalled that he had been a choir boy in 1887, the first year in which the boys of All Saints’ had worn cassocks and surplices. In those days six boys would be invited to the Mayor’s home for dinner nnd six for tea to make-sure of their attendance at Sunday school and the evening service. Canon Woodward said the celebration was an important day in the parish. Mrs. Runnieles had come to Palmerston North as a bride and with hpr husband had entered into the life of the parish, particularly the work of the Ladies’ Guild in which she had been the moving spirit. Miss Runnieles also had done her share. The Canon referred to his pleasant relationsfiip with Mr. Runnicies over 12 years, remarking that he stood out as a great churchman because he understood the liturgy which was a great help to the clergy. He was not only a good churchman but a great worker, shirking nothing and his patience was phenomenal. All Saints’ had been fortunate indeed to have such an excellent man. In asking Mr. Runnicies’ acceptance of a substantial cheque, Canon Woodward extended best wishes for the coining years and a continuation of his good services. Mrs. S. Borresen, a member of the choir with lengthy service to her credit, added good wishes from the choir and read many messages of felicitation from former members whom she had contacted, now living out of the city. Musical honours and cheers were accorded Mr. Runnieles. Rising to reply Mr. Runnieles was received with applause. Returning thanks for the gift, he said he felt he had only done his duty—a irr n was not much if he did not do the best lie could for the town in which he lived. With regard to the church work it was also a duty to try to follow in tho footsteps of good churchmen who had gone on. A musician’s life was somewhat like a mountaineer’s in that tliero were in-

accessible peaks. He felt peaks had been climbed in the choir, nearly half! the members of which had 12-year ser-1 vice badges, while some had over 20 years to their credit. He thanked the ! parishioners for their handsome gift j i and particularly for the warmth that ! lay behind it. His wife and daughter [1 also appreciated the thought behind th' > arrangements for the evening. Mr. I.

Runnieles recalled highlights in the I church life during his term, notabty the consecration of the church, the Kitchener Memorial service when 500 I had been unable to get int-o the church | and the offertory in aid of windows nnd orphans of Britisli seamen had realliscd £IOSO. The spiritual healing missions would never be forgotten. Mr. I Runnieles also recalled that he had

served under two bishops, three vicars, three vicars’ wardens, two people’s wardens, and four Mayors. Two great personalities of the parish were undoubtedly Mrs. Lionel Abraham and Mrs. T. Hewitt. In conclusion, Mr. Runnieles said he could not express his gratitude for tho splendid tribute and ho hoped to be able to go on for many years.