“TOC H COME TO STAY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 12

“TOC H COME TO STAY”

FEDERAL PADRE ARRIVES REV. PAT LEONARD r l''o tend the lamps of Toe H A in New Zealand, and to initiate additional branches, is the mission of the Rev. Pat Leonard, Toe H Federal Padre, who arrived from Sydney by the Aorangi today. Mr. Leonard was in New Zealand two years ago, accompanying the Rev. P. B. Clayton, the founder of the movement. But as he explained to-day, the visit was a very hurried one. It was never really Intended to include the Dominion in that tour. At that time Mr. Clayton was a sick man. It will be recalled that he collapsed while addressing a meeting at Auckland. Nevertheless, several branches were successfully inaugurated in New Zealand. All have progressed, particularly the group in Wellington, where the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Charles Fergusson, has taken a keen interest. Mr. Leonard intends spending a year in the Commonwealth. He is accompanied by Mr. Leslie Howarth, from the Manchester group, who acts as his 'assistant. A month will be spent in New Zealand. An exacting itinerary has already been compiled for the visitors. INSPIRING CEREMONIES The padre was present at the big Toe H festival at Manchester last year, when the Prince of Wales was present. He also attended the Australian birthday gathering at Newcastle Cathedral in May, at which the Dean of Newcastle, Dr. Crotty, who represented Australia at Manchester, presided. On that occasion Sir William Campion, Governor of Western Australia, lighted the different lamps from the Forster Lamp. This lamp was the gift of the former Governor-General, Lord Forster, in memory of his two sons killed in the war. "Both gatherings were most inspiring and were indicative of the rapid progress that Toe H, one of the great youth movements of the day, ha 3 made.” Mr. Leonard is convinced that the soil of New Zealand will be extremely productive for Toe H. The movement, he declares, has come to stay, as it is one of the really great “uplift” crusades.