All Saints', Gladstone.

Southland Times, Issue 11899, 21 November 1891, Page 3

All Saints', Gladstone.

The Rev. P." W. Martin having arrived in Gladstone to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Rev. J. Evans, a most pleasant tea meeting and concert took place in the Bchoolhouse on Thursday evening to welcome him to the district. Many willing hands had assisted Id decorating tbe place with flags, evergreens and flowers and the room presented a very lively appearance. The Misses Thomson J (2), Mrs and Mina Dalgleish, Mrs and Mira Wilson, Mrs Field, Mrs Townshend, Mrs Perkins, Miss Brodrick, and Miss Broad kindly supplied material for a most excellent spread and graced with their presence and superintendence the aeven tastefully decorated tables replete with an amazing stock of amateur confectionery. The usual justice having been done to the good things provided the tables were removed and the Yen. Archdeacon Stocker, taking the chair, opened proceedings with a speech introducing to the parishioners their newly-appointed pastor. The Archdeacon said that his acquaintance with Mr Martin was of long standing and he was confident he would do his duty thoroughly. He exhorted the parishioners to lend Mr Martin a helping hand and to give him hearty support and co-operation in bis work. , The Rev. F. W. Martin, who waa greeted with a round of applause, expressed himself as very much pleased with the hearty reception accorded to him— a reception which encouraged him to take a much more hopeful view of matters than when the first proposal for his removal to Gladstone came before his notice. He looked upon the parishioners aa upon a regiment of soldiers. The officers planned the fight and instructed the privates, but in action every rifle ought to speak. He had no doubt that With the assistance and united effort* of the people the work of the parish would prosper. Let all the church members be working members, all taking an active interest, and then a blessing would rest on their work. Mr Thos; S. Boyds expressed on behalf of the parishioners the pleasure they felt in giving MrM#rtin a hearty welcome. He thought tnat much harm had been inflicted on Gladstone by unfair and misleading reports which had unfortunately been circulated, but felt confident in predicting a successful career for Mr Martin. An unrehearsed item of the programme was introduced by Mr H. Wilson, who announced that he had been deputed to ask the Archdeacon to make a presentation to Mr Roycls who had for many years done faithful service to the church. Mr Wilson briefly referred to Mr Royds' many yeara of untiring service as lay reader and to his assistance in several times of difficulty. A handsome arm chair was then presented by the Venerable Archdeacon to Mr Royds, who suitably expressed his thanks for tbe kindly appreciation shown xn making the gift, and added that the work had been with him a labour of love and the nreaentatioii a complete surprise. Several ladies and gentlemen, members of the St. John's choir, contributed a very attractive musical programme to the evident satisfaction of the audience. Mrs Ross who was in splendid voice, sang "The song that JeShed my heart" and "The Angel at the window." Miss Hogg rendered J'l^velieht" very nicely and joined with Mrs Ross itTa duet "The Cousins." It was a pleasure to listen to Miss Little in "Fiddle and I Mr Taylor was very successful with The Landlord's Daughter" and "Thy Sentinel am I " Mr Newman, who has a pleasant tenor voice, proved himself an acquisition in "My Queen* and gave a capital recitation entitled "Nothing but care. Mr J. L. Watson gave "Father OTlynn" in a style which delighted the juvenile members of the audience immensely. A few words from the chairman brought to an end a moat successful gathering, rendered so by the kindly assistance of many earnest workers and that of those ladies and gentlemen who came from Invercargill to afford a much valued musical addition to the evening s proceed-