AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 15

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

DEAN FITCHETT RETIRES. PRESENTATION FROM PARISHIONERS. Charcoal Sketch in This Issue. .At the age of 93, after 50 years’ service as vicar of All Saints’ Church, the Rev. Dean Fitchett has retired. Although he will remain in charge of the parish until the new vicar arrives in July, the parishioners thought the annual meeting, held on Thursday evening, a fitting occasion to convey to him a token of their appreciation of his long period of service. Mr G. R. Ritchie vicar’s churchwarden, stated that he had a duty to perform which—although it might seem a paradox—was both pleasant and unpleasant. The vestry had deputed him to make a presentation on behalf of the parishioners to the dean. They urged that, being minister’s churchwarden, the dean would have to listen to him, whereas he might refuse to do so to anyone else. Those intimate with the dean knew full well that the only -way they could manage him was “ vi et armis.” The vestry, however, unable and unwilling to use force, had had recourse io secrecy and stealth. Changes and partings were taking place every day, but the sadness of such inevitable happenings could be softened considerably if they came gradually, and it was thought better to seize the opportunity now of saying a few words rather than wait until a later date He had found in the jubilee record of All Saints’ the names of some 70 parishioners on the parish i roll before the dean was appointed vicar, and of these six were still hale and hearty. They were Sir -Tames Allen, Mr P. C. Neill. Mr Sise. Sir F. Chapman, Mr R. Haw. and the Rev. C. H. Statham. Both Sir James Allen and Mr P. C. Neill were present. Surely old age commanded respect and had its triumphs, said Mr Ritchie. The Dean was now in liis fiftieth year as vicar of All Saints . Most of those present had listened to him during a great part of that span, and seldom, it over, had they listened without benefit. Tho dean had many nullifications, but it would suffice to mention two—his unlimited view, and hi a keen sense of humour. Al] were at times depressed by momentary shadows, but he felt sure that when the dean had been depressed he enlarged his vision and raised bis eves to the bills and remembered ths eternities. The dean was interwoven with the history of Al’Saints’. He had given the parishioners “a long I continuing light. ’• and it was for those I who came after to see that that I fight continued to burn brightly. Mr Ritchie concluded by reading tlie fol- | lowin? letter which accompanied the presentation : — The members of tho vcsl-rv of All Saints' on behalf of every parishioner, wish to express to you their appreciation of your devoted work iii the parish for a period of almost 50 years. The parishioners realise that since 1879 you have laboured with increasing fidelity not only in your parish but in tlie work and policy of tho diocese and province. The members of the vestry have already personally expressed their continued esteem for you, and they now ask vou to accept the enclosed gift from the parishioners as a token—quite inadequate—of their affection and ■ gratitude. When you became incumbent of All Saints’ the church was heavily in debt, and you have the satisfaction of knowing in resigning vour cure that as a record of your labours the church is free of financial liabilities. Sir James Allen said that his memory went back to 1879. Maori Hill. Roslyn, the Woodhaugh Valley. North-East Valley and the coastline to the borders of Port Chalmers were then part of the parish. The dean did a great deal in the early days and he had since done great work for the church. For 35 years he had been Dean of the Diocese of Dunedin. He hoped that the dean would never say good-bye but would remain closely associated with the parish. One always, had a friend in the dean. It was almost unique that the dean in spite of his great age had such activity of brain. He hoped that the dean would have health and strength to enjoy among his parishioners the remaining years of his life. Mr Ritchie then presented the dean with a cheque for a substantial sum as a token of the respect, affection and gratitude of the parishioners. The Dean, on rising to respond, was completely embarrassed and could make no adequate reply. He had had no expectation of the presentation, and was reduced to a state of speechlessness. He would like to have an opportunity of telling what he could about the history of the church in Dunedin and the suburbs during his time. Possibly that could be arranged at some future date. He had always received from the people of All Saints’ the utmost kindness. There had been no quarrels. They were a most amiable and manageable people. “ My friends of All Saints’ will always be my friends,” the Dean concluded. “ I can assure you that I have you written in my heart. The utmost 1 can do is simply to thank you.” The first item on the musical programme which followed was the overture “ Poet and Peasant,” played as a duet by the Dean and Mrs W. A. Mason.