OPUNAKE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 316, 30 May 1913, Page 4

OPUNAKE NEWS.

WELCOME AND FAREWELL. (From Our Own Correspondent).. On Monday night last the Town Hall was packed to the doors to welcome the Rev. 0. M. Stent, M.A., as yicnr of St. Barnabas Church, and to ? A «rwe)l to Mr. and Mrs. T. Humpuries and iamily who are leaving the distrua m take up a new sphere ot life. Mr. lumbers, "■ho was asked to fill the F sit.*n of ciKiirman, called upon Mr. (1. W. loam, as vicar-Warden, to welcome «e Rev, Sfcnt on behalf of the parfarioiicrs of St. Barnabas, which he did. The Rev. Mr. Hammond, supeMiteiid«nt of the Maori Mission, taut he taU known Mr. Stent previously, as ail Anglaan vicar. As his district was a IMgN on* he did not fail to hear of the good •vcik Mr. Stent had done at his previous parish' (Kaetahi). Mr. Stent lw* a «puUon to keep up. The pans'« f «° had their duty to perform to t heir .car. If, for instance, they went and found no vicar present, what would they all think? And ita tlie same way the people ought not to iorget that if they did not attend church the minister would think the same way. He urged upon the pariShToners to treat their vicar well and do all they could for him. The Rev. Walsh said he could not expiess his feeling fully on such an occasion, and the pleasure it gave him m welcoming Mr. 1 Stent to Opunake, on behalf of the Presbyterians and himself. The Revs. Stent, T.insUiy and himself came as strangers to OpUnake, and though thev belonged to different regiments, they all must work together, as they were all working for. the one* Master. The Rev. Stent was the right man in the right place, and his good work would soon be recognised by the congregation. He first knew Mr. Stent in Taihape, and congratulated him on his appointment as vicar here, He would have many difficulties to contend with, such as had weather, bad roads, etc., but probably they would soon be overcome. He would find many warm hearts in Opunake, which went a long way to make a vicar's life happy. The Rev. Mr.. Stent, on rising, was greeted with applause. He said he wished to thank one and all for she cordial welcome given to him, especially the ministers. After hearing the speakers, he felt satisfied that he would make himself at home in Opunake. ' He had listened to advice given by Mr. Hammond (in his previous district), and he regretted when Mr. Hammond left. Those who heard him a fortnight ago- would remember the opinion expressed on the unity of the Protestant churches, which was also identical to that expressed by Mr. Walsh that night. He felt sure that in the near future there would be one united • church, and he looked forward to that time, but he would not go into that subject then. He thanked them again for their cordial welcome. (Applause). During the evening, songs, recitations, vocal duets and violin solos were rendered. Supper was afterwards provided, and the presentation to Mr. and Mrs. T. Humphries and daughter was made. Mr. Chambers (chairman) said the speakers that night all laid stress on the duties of a clergyman, but he was quite sure

that, no matter how capable a cl.erg.vman ! might be, he could do nothing without the assistance of his congregation. He ', had been asked by the parishioners to i perform this pleasing duty. He re-gretted-to say they were losing one df ' their most earnest workers. Mr. and 1 Mrs. Humphries and family were leaving [ the district. Mrs. Humphries had been a zealous worker for the church, and how ' much she would he missed nohody woidd know until she had gone. The members ' of the chnrch and outsiders decided to ' recognise in some small way the work of Mr. and Mrs. Humphries, and he hoped 5 they would have the greatest success and , ' prosperity in their new, home, and that 5 Mrs. Humphries would continue her good • work in church matters wherever Rhe ' went. On behalf of the congregation and • subscribers he handed Mrs. Humphries a r silver-mounted oak tray (inscribed) and 1 a silver-mounted cake ■' dish as a re--1 minder of the (lavs thev had spent in ' Opunake. (Applause.) Mlsb May Hum--1 phries was then presented with a token ' of respect and esteem as a. recoenition of her valued services to the choir, s The Rev. Mr. Stent endorsed the re- [ marks of the speaker. Although he had fc not known them very long, he was de- • lighted to see Mr. Humphries, Mrs. Hum- - phries and Miss Humphries, who 'were i good workers pf the church, so deservedi ly recognised. If ever they got a fit of t the blues, they could come back to Opu- • nako, and they would be friends among ! friends.

Mr. Humphries, on behalf of his wife and family, returned thanks for the Jdnd words that had been uttered regarding them, and also for the valuable presents received. He said that whenever they looked upon these they would be reminded of the good times thev spent in Opunake. He had been in Opunike a long time, and was leaving to better himself. Dancing waR then resumed, and kept going until a late hour to music supplied by the following orchestra: Mrs. McNeil and Mr. Cannell (piano), Mr. Walker, W. McNeill and D. Duncan (violins) and J. Humphries (cornet!. Mr. Andv Clarke made an efficient M.C. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought the function to a close. During the evening members of the Rchool committee and also of the Caledoninn Society made n presentation to Mr. Humphries in Mr. Gibbs' commercial room.