GREEN ISLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 41

GREEN ISLAND

A social gathering of a very pleasant nature took place on Thursday evening in the Walton SchooJhouse, Fnirfield. The chair was occupied by tha Rev. J. "Kilpatrick, who explained that they were met to do honour to Miss Jessie Loudon, who hatl for a considerable tdm-e ungrudgingly given her services in connection with religious and" other meetings. She was almost indispensable, and he was delighted that her efforts were to be recognised in a tangible manner, for no one deserved it better. Mt James Howorth said he was deputed to present Miss Loudon with a small token of regard from the residents, and it gave him great pleasure to do so. He remembered ti>a.t durina tt* past seven, vears^

when he himself had conducted services, the recipient had most cheerfully assisted him by taking charge of the musical part, and she had manifested the same spirit with others. He then handed a. gold watch, beautifully chased and suitably inscribed, together with a handsome gold chain, to Miss Loudon, who, on stepping forward, was greeted with loud applause. Mr John Blair replied on behalf of Miss Loudon, stating that she regarded the work purely as a. labour of love, but at the &anio time she sincerely thanked them for the token of their kindness, which ha was aure she thoroughly appreciated. —^Applause.) The Chairman then called on the Rev. W. Layloek andi Key. D. S. Mason to speak, as they both had received assistance from the guest of the evening. Both gentlemen expressed pleasure in having an opportunity of acknowledging their indebtedness to Mi^s Loudon. Mr Layoock said she had materially assisted Mm in co-nrectioii with, the evening services of the Methodist Church, while Mr Mason spok<j in the highest terms of the indefatigable manner in which she had worked for the Sunday School and Day School during the period he liad had charge of the latter. Both expressed admiration at the regularity with which Miss Loudon appeared a-t her post, and they wished her long life and health to wear the present During the evening refreshments were handed round, and at intervals a^ capital programme was presented. Miss Mills recited '" Not Understood" with true feeling, and Miss Harraway sang a couple of selections with much acceptance. The songs by Mr D. Watt (" Out, on the deep" and "True as the compass") and Mr H. Stotfc ("Who shall be king?" and " The gladiator "), were highly appreciated, as also was a pretty duet ("Loch Lomond") sung by Misses J. and MJ London. Mr J. C. Eacton's pianoforte playing was a-eknovjledged to be a real treat, the audience signifying their approval by according him an unmistakable encore. Mr J. Rosa (chairman of the School Committee) moved ths votes of thanks, and, in doing so, he also bore testimony on behalf of his colleagues to Miss London's readiness to assist them. The singing of the National Anthem closed the meeting.