A POPULAR VICAR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16080, 29 September 1916, Page 5

A POPULAR VICAR.

REV. CARSLEY BRADY. FAIIEWT3DLED AT ST. ANDREWS..At St. Andrews,, on Wednesday evening, a farewell social was tendered zo the Rev. L. Carslcy Brady and Mrs Brady, in ilie Parish Hall, by the parishioners and rnainy other friends.

As the rev. gentleman has been V.car of the parish of Otao and Blueeliffs for the past 36' years, it was enly to bo expected that there would be a largo and representative gathering at his farewell social: and this was the case, some having come many miles to do honour to the departing guests. Mr R. I-I. Rhodes of B'luealiffs who, as a member of the Vestry, has been associated with the present Vicar during the whole of his l term of office, occupied the cliair and in his opening remarks briefly stated the object of the gathering and said that he felt that it was anything but a pleasureablo duty to him to have to 'bid farewell to his old friend, but he recognised that as Mr Brady's health had not been good for some time, it was necessary for him to. be relieved of the strain and responsibility of his work bofore'he could hope to recover. Mr Rhodes then read apologies from several gentle-neii who were unable to be present. Musical items were given by Miss Gertrude "Hammond, Mr J. M. irela:nd, Mr Lionel Edwards and Mrs • and Miss D. Foxon. Tho chairman then called on MiThomas Teschemakcr to make a presentation to the Rev. Mr and Mrs Brady. In the ooiuse of his .. remarks, Mr Teschemakcr gave a resume of the work done by Mr Brady during h.s long term of- oifics and referred to the v.gorous meOiod in which it had been carried out by him, especially the build-ng of . churches at St. Andrews and Beaconsfield and a fine Parish hall at St. Andrews. He referred also to the great assistance ,lhat Mrs Brady had rendered to the parish by acting as organist and in helping Mr Brady in his various duties, He then presented Mr Brady with' a silver casket containing a pnrse of sovereigns and bearing the following inscription:— "Presented -with a nurse of sovereigns to the Rev. L." Carsley and Mrs Brady from Parishioners and in the Otar'o and BluccliJfs parish, St. Andrews, 26th Scpto-nbcr, 1916." Mr Tfeschemaker also presented Mrs Brady with a topaz brooch as a little memento of tho esteem in which she is held in the uairisli.

l4ie Rev. Cuttle, Presbyterian minister at St. Andrews who was present by invitation, stated how pleased he was to add a few words to what had been eaid of the good work done-by the Rev. Mr Brady in the district. Although he had been only two years in "the: parish yet he had been there long enough to recognise- the sterling worth of the guest of the evening and to appreciate his character. Helioned that Mr and Mrs Brady would be loirnsparedto enjoy their well earned rest! Mr George JUyali, who has resided at bt. Andrews almost as long as Mr Brady, said that he had been ■.•onsUmtiy associated wuh him duruig that time, and that he nad found li.m over ready to he'lp in anything ior the advancement of the district. JJe referred to tho valuable work that JVIr Brady had done in the earl ..or days by acting as doctor to the district. He .sad that during the long peri-jd that IJhey had lived side by side, they had always been the best fr.ends. He wishr-d Mr and Mrs Bnady every in tlioir retirement.

Mr Ut. O'jCeary said that he had known Mi- Brady ior a good many years and had ahvays found him, a good friend. He referred xc the- valuable medical work done by Mr Brady before there was a doctor at' St. Andrews ' and to the harmonious reiatous Which existed betwen h.m and all classes and denominations of the people. ' The Rev. Mr Brady on rising to reply, received quite an ovation. He stated how sorry he was that bis health had compelled him to relinquish the .work which he had cai-ried on for so many years, but he felt that nothing but « complete rest and I'reodo.n from the responsibilities of office would restore his health. Ria work had been greatly I'ghtcncd by the many loyal . and true riends by whom he had been surrounded during his sojourn in. the l district and, latterly by the very valuable ass''nta:nce rendered by Mrs Brady. He expressed a. fervent wish that the parish would conb'nue to under ■ the direction of the new Vicar and that | the people would give him that loyal support that he himself had always' had. Cont'nu.iiig. Mr Brndy sa : d that his .thoughts would always turn' with affectionate remembrance' to the Otaio and Rluecdiffs parish, where he had spent so manv happy days. (Applause.) After another musical item by Mr Hammond, refreshments were handed round by the ladies of the parish and a pleasant evening was- brought to a close. Mr "W. L. Howard acted as s'ecret.T'-v for the presentation committee and Mr W. F. Park as accompanist for the musical items.