CANON SMALL

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 18

CANON SMALL

FAREWELL AT of. MARY'S. Canon J. C. Small, of St. Mary’s, Momington, who has accepted charge of the Milton parish, was accorded a iarewell on Wednesday evening, a large number of parishioners and lriends assembling in the church hall to wish Canon Small and family God-speed. The Rev. C. 11. Statharn, who presided, presented, on behalf of the parishioners, Canon and Mrs Small with a cheque, Miss Small with a solid leather suit-hag, and Master W. Small with a book, wishing the family every happiness in their work at Milton. Speeches were also made by Mr S. P. Mirams, Hr R. Bentham, and the Rev. B. F. Rothwell, of the Mornington Methodist Church. Canon Small, in acknowledging the kind gifts that had been made, said that Mrs Small had been a devoted and self-sacrific-ing clergyman’s wife, and had been of great assistance to him. During the six years they had been at Mornington they had been treated with great kindness and consideration by the people. IIa» honestly believed there was not a person in the parish who had not kindly feelings towards him and his. It was necessary for a clergyman to have not only the confidence, but the affection of his people. Although it was a real wrench to them to leave Mornington, they were not altogether going to a strange place, for at Milton he had his first married home after arriving in this country a little over 40 years ago. He would like to express thanks to those who had helped and supported him since he came to Mornington. He did not think there was a better working vestry in New Zealand than that he had had at St. Mary’s. He thanked them all. for “their many kindnesses. A number of vocal items added to the interest of the occasion, and supper was served, when some time was spent in social intercourse.