LEAVE TAKEN

Southland Times, Issue 22296, 11 April 1934, Page 8

LEAVE TAKEN

THE REV. C. H. OLDS. REPRESENTATIVE TRIBUTES. The Methodist Hall, Jed street, was well filled last evening when the congregation of the Central Methodist Church took leave of the Rev. C. H. Olds, who for four years has been their Minister. His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller), representatives of the Invercargill Ministers’ Association and members of the St. Peter’s Longbush and Otatara congregations were also present. Mr F. V. Copp, one of the circuit stewards, occupied the chair. The Mayor, in the course of his speech, referred to Mr Old s high ideals of citizenship and to his readiness to assist in every cause promoted for the advancement and uplift of the city. The Rev. O. S. Ream, speaking on behalf of St. Peter’s congregation, paid a glowing tribute to Mr Old’s helpfulness, zeal, erudition and devotion to the principles of Methodism. The Venerable Archdeacon Lush, representing the Ministers’ Association, spoke of the happy relations existing among members and of the esteem in which Mr Olds was held by all. He warmly congratulated him on his promotion to such an important charge as Trinity, Dunedin, and wished him a most successful ministry. Testimony to Mr Old’s valuable assistance to Sunday School work was forthcoming from the superintendent, Mr E. W. Pearce, while on behalf of the Trust Board Mr A. S. Froggatt, the treasurer, referred to Mr Old’s cooperation and sound advice on all matters. To Mr G. E. Turvey, a circuit steward, fell the task of speaking on behalf of the congregation and of making a presentation to Mr Olds. This took the form of a cheque subscribed by the freewill offerings of the congregations of Central Methodist, St. Peter’s, Longbush and Otatara. In his reply Mr Olds referred feelingly to his happy years of ministry and warmly thanked the speakers for their tributes and the people for their generosity. He referred to the need for Christian men and women maintaining the highest principles of Christianity, and not being content with compromising. Their influence should be an active force for good in the world. He spoke of his happy relations with his fellow ministers and with people of other denominations, and concluded by expressing his deep realization of the honour conferred on him by being appointed to Trinity, the mother church of Otago, and of being chairman of the Otago and Southland district.

During the evening the following items were contributed: Solo, Mr W. H. Farley; part song, the choir; male quartette, Dr. Brown, the Rev. C. H. Olds, Messrs J. E. Taylor and W. H. Farley; solo, Mrs J. T. Macdonald; boys’ quartette.