CIVIC FUNCTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10958, 29 April 1907, Page 4

CIVIC FUNCTION.

An interesting civic function, which has been associated for generations with the history o f numerous municipalities m the Old Countiy, was introduced for the first time to uisborne yesterday, -when his Worship the Mayor and members of the now Borough Council- were, upon the occasion of their election to office, accompanied to church by an escort of local volunteers. This ancient custom is regarded m the Homeland as a public acknowledgment of Divine authority, and ah, assurance to the community that its affairs ■will be governed with all the respect duo to such precepts. Fortunately, yesterday morning, the weather, which had been far from promising m the earlier hours, cleared up as church time approached. Tlie volunteers turned out m good numbers, arid marshalled by Captain Beere, they paraded aud received the Mayor and Councillors at -the Municipal Chambers. Headed by the City Band, discoursing appropriate music, the procession marched up town. The School Cadets attended m strong force, under Major Kinder. They were, followed by the Defence Cadets (Captain Cowan) and the Gisborne Rifles (Lieutenant Mitchell). The East Coast Mounted Rifles (Captain Tombleson) provided a mounted escort to the three carriages, drawn by greys, conveying the "City Fathers." As was anticipated, at Holy Trinity Church, whence the procession proceeded,^ there ■was a large congregation. Special accommodation was reserved for the /volunteers m the main body of the building. A special service was conducted by the Rev. H. N. Wright, chaplain of the Gisborne Rifles. Speaking from the text, John 14, 8, "Lord, show us the Father," the rev. gentleman referred appropriately t o the occasion. The meaning wJrich he drew from their attendance at church was that they recognised the Fatherhood of God. and thnt the -affairs of the town and nation should be directed by Divine authority. : The pulpit, he said, was not the place to discuss the duties of those m power, but he pointed out that a strong and Godly life was essential if they desired to wield an influence for good m their public lives. 'There were some men, however, who appeared to live for self-interest alone, which was against the teaching of Jesus. 'In this, a Christian country, it to their duty .to. look after the interests of their fellow-men m "whatsoever circumstances, .high or low, they might be placed. He instanced the case of China's plight, where foreign countries were already sending ships laden with food and. money to relieve the faminestricken people. Of how far the -world was from perfection he would not say, tfut this was a proof of the great change which had been effected m the paist hundred years. The ballot-box "was a further illustration of how men were brought on to the same level, and was.' I 'further proof of the Fatherhood of God. ■ The missionary who went into fever-stricken countries to spread the Gospel, those brave messengers of love -who entered the hospital and homes, carrying comfort to the sick and sorrowing, -were further evidences of this end,; They, as a people, would not hare been m this place to-day but for the efforts and lives of the early missionaries. He trusted that the service "would not be looked upon as simply a Church parade, but would impress upon their minds the importance of their election to office, that they would be faithful to their positions pf trust, and that their lives and actions would be prompted m the interest of the whole community. Mr E. N. Sidebottom presided at the organ, and rendered appropriate music for the occasion. _ Re-as-sembling outside after the service, the procession returned to the Council Chambers, • where Captain Beere, oh behalf of the volunteers, congratulated his Worship upon his re-election to office for another term. In responding, the Mayor, on behalf of the Councillors, thanked the volunteers for their splendid parade, which had made the function such a success. "ThY Council, m the past, he regretted, had not taken that interest m their volunteers which was their due, but he hop"d thw would take more interest m their welfare m the future. He thought the -vjc^syon a fitting one when they sho\tid i ".spent the' several corps. Captain Beere i-'i.en conducted the Mayor, and CoxmoiUors through the ranks. Returning, the Mayor Expressed himself m complimentary terms to the soldierly appearance of the men nnd youths. He told the • Cadets that he and some of the Councillors had m their earlier days been compelled to bear arms for their Queen and country. Captain Beere briefly replied, thanking the bandsmen, who were at present not -'ate: taclied to any corps, for their attendance on parade. ■ I :