PRESENTATION TO THE REV. J. PRESTON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3753, 12 October 1886, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. J. PRESTON.

-» For Bomo littlo while past tho Hot. J. Preston, incumbent of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Geraldino, has been !conQned to his houao through an acute attack of sciatica, and hia parishioners very generously subscribed towards enabling him to take a rest for a short whilo. The rev. gentleman left Geraldine yestorday en route for the hot springs, Hamner Plains. Tho following correspondenco lias passed between his parishioners and himself, and has been handed to us for publication : — " Kbt. and Deab Sib,— Having seen, with great regret, the state of your health, wo earnestly entreat that you will tako, at least, a two months' holiday, m order that you may enjoy a thorough rest and a change of air. Wo beg you to accept of tho enclosed cheque, and pray that you may bo restored to us with renewed health and strength. "We beg respectfully to subscribe oursolvcs, your parishioners m Geraldinc, Woodbury, Peel Forest, Mount Peel, Fuirlio Creek, Opuba and Rainoliff, Gapea' Valley, Kakabu, Pleasant Valley, and Orari." "To my parishioners and friends m the pariah of Geraldine, and parochial district of Burkes Pass. " I beg to acknowledge tho receipt of the abovo letter ; also tho enclosure, viz., a cheque for tho sum of 100 guineas. I thank you for your expressions of sympathy m referenco to my present state of health. I am at a loss to fmd appropriate words to express my f oelings as I wiab regarding your great kindness. I am highly honoured and greatly encouraged by so handsome a mark of your esteem and regard. To receive such a testimonial is doubly gratifying to me when I am informed that it speaks the sentiments of so many sympathisers and well-wishers. Tho doctor recommends tho hot springs to bring about for mo a permanent euro of my painful complaint. I Bball therefore avail myself of your kindness, and leave my parish for a few weeks. After two months' change of scene, etc., I shall, with God's blessing, be a new man again, and able, m every way, to perform my clerical duties, and, I trust, with greater earnestness and diligence than I have ever yet done. Hoping to meet you nil ngain m duo time, and wishing you every blessing from God, I have tho honour to remain ever your afiectionato servant m Christ, " Jambs Prkstojt, " Incumbent of Geraldino and Curato of Burkes Pass. " St. Mary's Parsoriage, " October 9th, 1*86."