WAKEFIELD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 225, 1 October 1884, Page 2

WAKEFIELD.

FAREWELL TEA TO THE REV. ST. CLAIR AND MRS. TISDALL [From our own Correspondent.] The farewell tea an 3 public meeting in honor of the Rev. St. Clair and Mrs Tisdall took place yesterday afc Wakefield on the the eve of their departure for India. Owing to the very unpropitious weather during the day the number of patrons at the tea table was far below the merit of the tea itself or the importance of the occasion — the la<lie3 under whose efficient management the tea was provided, having amiiip\ted to a nicety the palate of their guests?. The tables having been removed the seats of the Hall wore soon well filled, no pnrb of the now commodious building, including the porch, being unappropriated. Mr Faulkner, (Parishioners churchwarden) proposed Mr Edward Bnigent to the chair, Mr and Mrs Tistlall being escorted to seats on the right of the chair, the Rev Mr Baker, Mrs Baker, and Archdeacon Mules on the left. Mr Baigent in opening the meeting referred in a few well chosen words to the object of this gathering, that of saying good-bye to their clergyman, who had lived amongst them sufficiently long to endear himself to his parishioners and not least to himself personally. In following the programme of the proceedings he would not by many words delay more interesting items or crowd out remarks from other speakers, as there were probably many present who would wish to address the meeting. The Chairman then read a letter from the Bishop apologiing for his unavoidable absonco. The hymn " 0 God o£ Bethel by whoso hand," was then sung, being joined in heartily by the whole audience. The Chairman here assumed the custody of a very interesting looking document from which he read the following address : — " We, 1 he undersigned inhabitants of Wakefield. Foxhill, Motucka Valley. Motupiko, Stanley Brook, Eighty-eight Valley, and Dovedale. in (.ho province and dioce?c of Nelson, N.Z., fcnka this opportunity of expressing in a small degree our deep sense of the obligations we are under to you during the period of two ?iud a half years iu which you have vesided among us. We can bear testimony with gratitude and pleasure to your unflagging energy, and to the zonlous and efficient, discharge of the many arduous duties which have devolved upon you in the workiug- of this large parochial district. We would also record our grateful appreciation of the generous manner in which you have placed your many high talents at our disposal, and of the unvarying kindness and attention to each and all of us, whether in sickness or in health, which has marked your residence in our mids l ". In bidding farewell to yourself aud Mrs Tisdall we feel that we are taking leave of true friends whom wo shall ever remember with feelings of affection, and whose loss we shnll all regret. As a small token of our esteem and regard we beg you to accept the accompanying purse aud its contents with our best wishes for the success of your labors in India, and the prayer that ib may please Almighty God to shower down every blessing on you and your family in your new home." The address was signed by sixty-six persons and was engrossed on vellum and beautifully illuminated by Mr P. Toplisa of Nelson. The Chairman said he could heartily endorse every word, and with mingled feelings handed Mr Tisdall a heavy purse, which had been skilfully wrought and mounted with a monagram by Mrs Fearless. Hereupon Mrs Stead Ellis ascended the platform and on behalf of the ladies of the congregation asked Mrs Tisdall's acceptance of a splendid album and ladies' work - box (furnished). Mr Tisdall replied on behalf of Mrs Tisdall and himself, wishing the donors to accept the thanks which he could hardly express, and explaining his reasons for changing his sphere of labor, which wore nothing more oilers than the strong desire with which he had boon imbued from a hoy to Fccuro th,c first opportunity of doing his mite towards spreading among the heathen the knowledge of salvation by Jesus Christ. The Hymn, " Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," followed, when the Venerable Archdeacon Mules spoke in a most interesting strain of the occasion and of Mr Tisdall, and was pleased to find himself in a position to add his own testimony to the high estimate formed of him by his brother clergy, and sympathised with Mr TisdaU'B legitimate and praiseworthy desire to enlarge the field of his ministerial

operations. The programme next introduced Hie presentation from Mie Goo.l Templars. Mr Moore stepped forwavJ and read an appro* prialc address, and in presenting a pocket book with contents asked Mr Tisdall to accept it, not for its monetary value, but a* a toki n ( f love and esteem. Mr Tisda'l's reply w,is very earnest, when he took the la<t opportunity of encouraging all friends of Temperance in that district to pcr.-evere in the good cause. These remarks called forth considerable applause. Mr Baigent then invited the Itev Mr Baker to address the meeting, which he did in a ppjpch which augurs ivoll for him as a speaker, and Ihe temporary successor of the Itev Mr Tisdall Here the hymn "Thou whose Almighty Word' was sung in true congregational style, after

which Mr Win, on he! air of (50 Dovcdale friend.", m.ido a presentation of a purse, testifying to the great kimlues3 of Mr Ti-idall ar.tl his Chrisliau wor-th, The rev, gentleman replied, desiring to convoy his best Hi sinks through Mr Win. The teichcr3 of the Wiikefield Sunday school ani members of Bible-clashes then presented an address with a gold pencil, which Mr TisdaU gratefully ueknowledged. Mr Bugent then ca'led upon Mr Bond to Fay a few words, whose remarks though brief were excellent. The hymn, i- Why those fears Behold 'tis Jesus" brought to ;i close the ]jro(rrair,ine anl a v \o of thanks having been accorded to the Chninnan, Archdeacon Mules closed the meeting wilh player. The meeting throughout was moat sucmjssliii, anil the proceedings altogtther, including (,he tea, reftVot the bit>l)tst credit upon the management. Mr and MrgTisdali then took up iv position at the door of the ha.ll tvud sjijook hands individually with all those asccuible ', sooic 250 in numb. r. We understand that Mr and Mrs TisdaU leave by steamer to-morrow.