PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17156, 8 November 1917, Page 5

PERSONAL.

A public farewell will (says the Auckland Herald) be accorded to the Rev. Alfred North, whose retirement from the ministry, after 49 years' continuous service, Ayas recently announced at a united meeting in the Baptist Tabernacle on November 13. A monetary presentation will be made to Mr North, contributed by the Baptists of the dominion and others who havo been associated with him. The Rev. J. K. Archer, military chaplain, and president of tho New Zealand Baptist Union, will be one of the speakers. The hall oi the Mornington -Presbyterian Church was filled on the occasion of a presentation and social tendered to Miss Elsie Ford, licentiate, by the members of the congregation on her retirement from the position of organist, whicli she has ably filled for tho past three years. The Rev. VV. Tiotter, who presided, presented Miss Ford with an inscribed gold wristlet watch and Doulton vase Mr T. M'Crorie acknowledged tho presentation on behalf of Miss Ford. The ladies supplied tho refreshments, and Misses M. V *s and Doris Davidson (vocalists), Miss Eva Wallaco (elocutionist', and Mrs T. N. Watt (violinist) contributed to the programme. After the final practice a social was tendered to Miss Ford by tho members of the choir, and Mr Syme presented her with a writing caec, as a mark of affection and esteem. ' At the close of the day's work at tho Hillside Workshops yestorday two old members of tho staff—Mr Ralph Johnstono (workshops foreman blacksmith) and Mr £. Merry (foreman machinist) —wero presented by their fellow employees with a handbag, rug, and lady's suit case, and a handbag, rug, and lady's handbag respectively. Mr Carson, in making tho presentations, referred to the fact that the recipients were both retiring on superannuation after serving tho Railway Department faithfully and well over a long period of years. He wished them long life and full enjoyment of their retirement. Each recipient suitably responded. Corporal F. Richardson and Private G. Crawford, who are down on leave from camp, were each presented with a wristlet watch, and were wished, sliccpss at the front and a speedy return to New Zealand when hostilities ccaeo. The gathering concluded after thoso present had sung " For They Arc Jolly Good Fellows. '