VALEDICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1919, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO REV. W. A. SINCLAIR There was a large gathering at Whiteley Hall last night, when a social gathering wa3 given by the church in order to take farewell of the Rev. W. A. and Mrs. Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair has ocoupied the position of superintendent of the New Plymouth circuit for the past two years and is now about to take up the position of organising secretary for foreign missions for the Dominion, to whioh he was appointed two years ago, the war having delayed the taking up of the work. Mr. Percy White (senior circuit steward) presided, and several officials of the church Were on the platform with him, including the Rev. H. L. Richards (Fitwoy), who led the assemblage in prayer. The chairman, in a brief speech, eulogised the work done by Mr. Sinclair, under somewhat disadvantageous conditions in consequence of his uonn&tioiuil responsibilities, and expressed the regret of the congregation at the removal of Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair and their family from New Plymouth. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) spoke on behalt of the citizens of the town in appreciation of Mr., Sinclair's public work, and his assistance in patriotic matters.

Mr. J. W. Boon also spoke, on behalf of the lay preachers of tho circuit. Mr. \\". Ambury, in u happy und felicitous speech, made a presentation of u purse of sovereigns to the guest of the evening, and expressed the earnest wishes of the congregation for Mr. Sinclair's success in Ins new office. Miss W. Ticli--1)011 also miule a presentation 011 behalf of the members of the Whiteley I'lub. Mr. Sinclair, who v.as warmly aoplauded, in returning' thanks lor'the good tilings said about him, and for the "ins presented, said he was genuinely Sorry to leave New Plyinonta, Wiueii he "had learned to love nnieli during his short term as a citizen of the town. He pointed out what he thought were some o' the needs of .\rw l'n mouili wiucli were probaoly more apparent to tiio.-e comm.' to the tow 11 us strangers man to res" dents of the place, The chin 01 these he considered, was some sort of jnmiiuuo« to correspond with the V.MC A in order to cater tor the amusement, anduulilt of tb, young men of the community, and lie panii'iilariy stressed the miwtii. lage ot such an institution to tne returning tuldieis, as an assistance in tueir re-übsoijjti.jii into civil life. During the evening a' musical programme was. contributed by Mesdau.es 1. -U.elmrds, K. 1. ( ( „ v ,,, JJjJS (\\ ellii.giutii ami .\j r e'uujicr !Suuncr Krf'-' h >''«'»<«. i»~u B ,i a« e^ l oy : au.e rtuicuuu to a close.