POPULAR MINISTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20333, 14 August 1929, Page 12

POPULAR MINISTER.

ARCHDEACON E. M. COWIE.

CIVIC FAREWELL TENDERED.

HAMILTON PEOPLE'S REGRET.

[I)Y TELEGRAPH. —OWN" COHHESPONDENT.]

HAMILTON, Tuesday

A striking tribute of respect and esteem was paid to Archdeacon E. M. Cowie by the people of Hamilton this afternoon, prior to his departure to take tip the appointment of vicar of Khandallah, Wellington. Several hundred people representing all classes of the community assembled in the Town Hall, where a civic farewell was extended to tho archdeacon. The Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, presided, and associated with him were members of tho Borough Council, tho town clerk, tho Rev. Father Bleakley, tho Rev. H. G. Gilbert, Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., and Mr. A. E. Manning. Mr. Gilbert, on behalf of the Ministers' Association, expressed sincere regret at tho archdeacon's departure and said ho would bo sorely missed by members of his own Church, where his sound judgment, balanced wisdom and long experience were of great value. "Khandallah's gain will be Hamilton's loss," said Mr. Young, who paid a tribute to Archdeacon Cowie's devotion to duty. His influence, he said, had been felt by all classes of tho community. He would take away with him the best wishes of a very wido circle of friends.

"Archdeacon Cowie is held in tlio highest regard by the Catholics of Hamilton," said the Rev. Father Bleakley. "He is inspired by high ideals and looks to the bigger things of life rather than to sectarian differences." no set a noble example and the Catholics of Hamilton wished him every blessing and happiness for the future.

In presenting Archdeacon Cowie with an inscribed wallet containing £l9O, the Mayor said the departing minister had been closely associated with the public life of the town and had been an outstanding figure. His service to the poor and his work during the epidemic of 1918 would over be remembered with gratitude.

Archdeacon Cowie was received with enthusiastic applause when he rose to reply. He said he was extremely grateful for all the kind things that had been said and for the honour of the civic farewell. He could not imagine a greater compliment being paid to any citizen. He had never desired to be popular, but he had wished for the respect of t"he people; and to attain that was the highest honour that could be bestowed on him. He heartily thanked the people for their wonderful kindness to Mrs. Cowie, himself and his family.

Last evening the officers of the recently disbanded second artillery battery presented Archdeacon Cowie with a handsome clock in appreciation of his services as chaplain to the battery, while this evening members of the Hamilton Club made him a gift. Archdeacon and Mrs. Cowie leave for Khandallah next week.