VALEDICTORY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16375, 24 June 1927, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

PRESENTATION TO REV. D. J. DAVIES TRIBUTES FROM PARISHIONERS After three years as curate al Holy Trinity Church, (lisborue, the Rev, I». .1. Davies is leaving lo take over the duties of vicar to the Opiinakc parish, and he and Mrs. Davies were eiven ail enthusiastic farewell in the Parish Hall last evening, when there there was a large attendance of parishioners. The Mayor, Mr. C, E. Armstrong, presided. Archdeacon Williams spoke on liehalf of the parishioners to bid Mr. and Mrs. Davies farewell, and the speaker said it was fitting that this should be in his his hands, as he had keen the lirst to extend a welcome lo Mr. and Mrs. Davies, this being done on the night before they sailed for New Zealand. It would be interesting' to contrast Mr. Davies' feelings then and now. Then, their guest was setting out for a new country, in which he had succeeded, and the Archdeacon ventured the opinion thai Mr, and Mrs. Davies would find just as warm hearts in other part 1 -' of the Dominion, They must now know thai they could win their way into the hearts of the colonials, and when they left Opunakc they would receive just as enthusiastic a farewell as was being given them that evening. 'ln wishing Mr. and Mrs. Davies every success and happiness in their new parish, the Archdeacon assured them that they carried with them the good wishes, affection and regret of the Holy Trinity parishioners. FAITHFUL SERVICE Rev, das, Ailkeu. of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, said he highly appreciated the fact that he was able to be present at Hie function, in which lie joined heartily to express sincere regret in the loss of one who had endeared himself to all. The speaker said he had Seen :i great ileal of Mr. Davies, and had greatly admired his ability. Mr. Davies was keen and alert and was an ardent scholar; lie kept abreast of the times in theology and philosophy. Mr. Davies had shown himself lo be a loyal and true servant of the Master and took with him wishes for his success wherever his lot might be cast. Mr, C. A. deLuiitour said he was gratified tlial Archdeacon Williams and the Rev. James Aifken were aide to be present, this being a tribute to which Mr. Davies was justly entitled. In saying farewell they must forget their regrets so that the gathering would not develop into a sombre affair, for they could not have hoped to confine a man of Mr. Davies' ability to the one cage. There was always a credit as well as a debit; the parishioners had brought Mr. Davies to New Zealand and shown him colonial life and possibilities for spiritual development here, while on the other hand Mr. Davies had brought his gifts to Cisborne. The parishioners should not look at the matter from a parochial viewpoint, but nnyt study the development of the church generally. The speaker thanked Mr. Davies for the faithful si rvice rendered to the vicar and parishioners. 'A FUTURE IiIKHOP" Expressing regrets at Inning to farewell one wl i lie had come to regard as a son and assistant priest, Canon Packe said it was right and fitting that after serving ill holy orders for 12 years, Mr. Davies should mount a rung higher on the ladder and shoulder the responsibilities of a vicar. Mr. Davies had a great future before" him, and his natural ability would possibly make him one of the future bishops of New Zealand. Mr. Davies was a sound organiser and a good churchman, and had done splendid work'in the parish. The large gathering present bore testimony to his popularity and the esteem in which he was held. The Mayor then presented Mr. Davies with an envelope well filled with bank notes, at the same time saying that this was but a small token of the high esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Davies wore held by the parishioners, who, although sustaining a personal loss by their late curate's departure, would still honor and respect his leaching; they were pleased also with Mr. Davies' promotion to the position of vicar of a parish, and were confident that he would be successful in his new sphere. MR. ijaVies' REPLY In reply, Mr. Davies said that on such an occasion the thought of his unworthiness and his mistakes crossed his mind and obsessed him with a wish that he had been more worthy. He and .Mrs. Davies had been very happy in Cisborne. They had been cheered on their way from England by encouraging words front Archdeacon Williams when they met at Southampton prior to the speaker's departure for this country. He was now at the end of his first experience of colonial life, and also at the end of his career as an assistant. In his closing remarks, Mr. Davies thanked the parishioners for the many kindnesses bestowed upon himself and Mrs. Davies and for their kindness in placing a car tit his disposal; in this connection he wished particularly to thank Mr. Trowell and his son. Songs were given during the even, iug by Messrs C. V. Harre, Williamson, and Rev. 1). .). Davies; stories by Mr. If. Mitchell; and a musical monologue by Mrs. .1. 11. Evans. A dainty supper u'as served by tin* ladies. "Auld Lane- Syne" was heartily sung at the conclusion of the function.