DEAN CRUICKSHANK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25718, 14 December 1944, Page 6

DEAN CRUICKSHANK

HONOURED BY PARISHIONERS

TRIBUTES AT FAREWELL SOCIAL

On the eve of his departure for Napier to take up his appointment as Bishop of Waiapu, Dean Cruickshank was the guest at a farewell social given by the parishioners of St. Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday night. The large attendance was evidence of the affection and esteem in which the departing parish priest is held. Mr F. M. Oldham, who presided, thanked the dean for all he had done for the parish and the diocese generally, stating that his removal to Waiapu would be a distinct loss to the cathedral.

Bishop Fitchett said the dean had been appointed to the cure of the

cathedral 13 years ago, and although difficult times had been experienced his task had been well performed. Dunedin would miss his energy, sincerity, enthusiasm, and genial personality, but everyone wisned him and Mrs Cruickshank success in their new sphere of work. The Rev. R. S. Watson, on behalf of the Otago branch of the National Council of Churches, expressed the council’s pleasure that such a high honour had been bestowed on one who had given 'such valuable leadership to the Christian life of the city. Mr Watson handed to the dean a minute of appreciation from the council, in which was placed on record the deep debt the council owed to him for his work as deputy chairman since its inception, and for the driving force he had been in the activities of several important committees. His wise counsel and constructive leadership, the minute added, had been invaluable in laying the foundation of ecumenical work in Otago. Dean Cruickshank was esteemed for his brotherliness, his personal goodwill, his readiness to understand and cooperate with those of other communions, and for the graces of a Christian gentleman with which he was so richly endowed. Further tributes to the dean’s work were paid by Mr E. G. Bond, a vestryman, who said that the dean had built a solid structure which would be a‘ lasting memorial to his work, and Dr V. E. Galway, who expressed the choir’s best wishes for the dean’s future success and happiness. Mr Oldham then presented the dean with a cheque, and conveyed to him and Mrs Cruickshank the parishioners’ best wishes for the future. In reply, Dean Cruickshank said that he had been very happy in his work at the cathedral, which he likened to a ship of which he was the captain with a very loyal crew. It had been a great pleasure to have been associated with the National Council of Churches, and he thanked all church officers, paid and unpaid, for their co-operation in the work of the church. , , , Dean and Mrs Cruickshank later took the opportunity of saying farewell personally to everyone who had come to honour them. During the evening songs were presented by Mrs John Ritchie, Messrs H. Drake, and E. G. Bond and the choir boys.