WAIANIWA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 4

WAIANIWA NEWS

MR AND MRS HODSON FAREWELLED. Large congregations were present throughout the Waianiwa-Waimatuku parish on Sunday, August 13, when the Rev. L. F. Hodson conducted his farewell services in the district. At the Waimatuku morning services the choir sang the anthem “King of Kings,” Mrs W. Buchanan sang the solo “If we but knew,” and Mr C. Brown “Ivory Palaces.” In the evening at Waianiwa the choir sang “God will take care of you” during the offertory, and after the sermon Mrs J. Toole sang as a solo “Not Understood,” the service being brought to a close with the vesper “Part in Peace.” The following Tuesday evening all parts of the parish were so largely represented at the farewell social that extra seats had to he provided in both the aisles of the church to accommodate parishioners and also on the choir platform for the Waianiwa-Waimatuku combined choirs which led the singing and sang the anthems, “God Reigneth,” “Rock Of Ages,” and “Jesus Of Nazareth.” Spar Bush choir girls also contributed a quartette, Mesdames J. Toole and R. McNaughton a duet, and Mrs J. Toole, Messrs F. Clark and G. Pattison solos. The Rev. A. McFarlane, moderator of the parish presided and spoke highly of the work of the parish during Mr Hodson’s four and a-half years’ ministry amongst them. Mr C. Nicholas also spoke in appreciative terms of the services rendered by Mr and Mrs Hodson and on behalf of the Waianiwa-Wai-matuku parish presented them with a roll of notes. Mr Hodson in returning thanks said that throughout his stay amongst them he had striven to preach and to live a manly Gospel and that while nobody could please everybody he felt the sick, the aged, the bereaved, and those in trouble understood and called him “friend.” Miss Gwen Marshall presented a bouquet of spring flowers to Mrs Hodson and special presentations were made her on behalf of the Waianiwa P.W.M.U. and Ladies’ Guild by Mrs D. Macpherson on behalf of the Girls’ Auxiliary by Miss Rodger, and on behalf of the Waimatuku P.W.M.U. and Ladies’ Guild by Mrs Galt. All voiced their appreciation of the helpful leadership of their departing president Mr J. B. Steans on behalf of the young people in the Sunday School, Junior Bible Class, and Busy Bees, also made Mrs Hodson a presentation, saying he had found it a pleasure to work with her. In returning thanks Mrs Hodson said she herself had thoroughly enjoyed the work amongst the young people, and what she had accomplished in the various organizations had only been possible by the love, loyalty, and helpful co-operation of the members themselves, and she parted from them with the deepest feelings of regret Misses Doreen and Audrey Hodson were also presented with several parting gifts. The Rev. C. Tocker, of St Paul’s, Invercargill, on behalf of the Southland Presbytery added his tribute to the splendid results of Mr Hodson’s four and a-half years’ ministry in the Wai-aniwa-Waimatuku parish and afterwards welcomed his successor, Mr B. C. Galloway. Mr Nicholas extended a welcome on behalf of the parish.