VALEDICTORY.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16736, 12 March 1926, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

MR, AND MRS. D. RUSSELL

A number of the vestry and parishioners of St. George’s Church, Thames, gathered at the Parish Hall last evening to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. David Russell, of Tararu. The Vicar (the Rev. N.Robertshawe) said they had met to express to their guests tile regret they felt that they were leaving the district. Mr. Russell had been a strenuous church worker for years, and the Tararu people had already expressed their sorrow at his departure. He had been 18 years vestryman at St. George’s, and for 10 years secretary, and anyone who read the minutes of the vestry during Mr. Russ.e3l’s term would find, very faithrecorded, the work done in the parish. He felt they owed a debt to Mr. Russell’s judgment as a vestryman. Referring to the church records, the Vicar said they had intact all the minutes of the meetings held since 1869, and there were few churches in New Zealand which could show such a continuous history, and these were very valuable. St. George’s had been especially blessed in having good secretaries, and they had to do honour to Mr. Russell for his records., He had not only worked, but had thought as he worked. His work as lay Teader at St. John’s, Tararu, had been excellent, and his sermons had shown the mind of the student. His departure ' would be very much felt, and those who lived at Tararu would miss his counsel and advice. But Mr. and Mrs. Russell had earned their time-of .rest, and he prayed God would give them health and strength in the years to come, so that they could be a blessing to another parish. The vestry and some parishioners had ptovided a small token for each of their guests to keep warm their remembrance of Thames. The Vicar then presented Mr. R.us-r sell with a handsome travelling rug, and Mrs. Russell with a fountain pen, as marks of esteem and affection. ,

The People’s Warden (/Mr. Willis) endorsed the Vicar’s remarks, and eulogis.ed Mr. Russell’s work on the vestry. s. * Mr. Russell, in replying, said that for 20 years he had been associated with St,*'George’s, and be had many incidents to remember concerning the outstanding personalities of that time, notably Dr. O’Callaghan. A staunch churchman was the late John Read, who had often come to the rescue in time of trouble with funds out of Ills own pocket. There had been a fine lot of helpers from the Post Office and the “Star” Office. Another unfailing worker was Mr. H. Webb, their present organist. \Yhen he came, the choir was a weakness, and it was not,, long before it improved out. of knowledge. Mr. Russell said he had been at one time superintendent of the Sunday School, and he had grateful recollections of the help he had received from his staff. He thanked them for th.e honour clone him, and for their gifts to Mrs. Russell and. himself.

Mr. T. W. Rhodes said ho '• was pleased to be identified with the farewell to Mr. and Mrs.' Russell. He recognised as an old church worker the value Mr. Russ.ell had been to St. George’s.’ It was a great call on a man’s time to render such unselfish service. He was sorry their friends were leaving Thames, and hoped they would hf? spared to enjoy their leisure. During the evening the following musical programme, was. given:—Songs, the Vicar, Mrs. Teasdale, Miss Tomlinson, Messrs. Smithson. Johnson and Briggs; violin solo, Mr. Kerby. The members of the Ladies’ Guild provided an excellent supper that was done full justice to.