TRIBUTE TO LATE VICARS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 208, 3 September 1934, Page 6

TRIBUTE TO LATE VICARS

PHOTOGRAPHS UNVEILED. IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT MARTON. I I Special to •‘Chronicle.”] MARTON, Sept 2. A striking tribute to .the eet-cein and respect-in which two former vicars, ’ tho late Rev. V. H. Kitcat and the late Rev. B. D. Ashcroft, were held was the impressive service conducted at St. Stephen’s Parochial School on yes--5 terday afternoon when three photographs wore unveiled. The Rev. J. F. 1 Mayo officiated and was assisted by the Rev. Wm. Raine. Mr Raynor ’ White, organist for St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, supplied the music ; for the hvmns. After the hymn "Let Saints on • Earth” had been sung the photographs were unveiled and two life-ikt pictures of the lat-e Rev. Ashcroft and one of the late Rev. Kitcat were revealed. The photographs, which were subscribed for from the memorial funds and by the parishioners of St. Stephen’s, were handsomely mounted and from where they will be hung in the school and Parish Hall will never i fail to recall the memories of the two men who did much for the church st Marton. The late Rev. \ . H. Kitcat was the j founder of St. Stephen’s Parochial Day ■ School and the work he commenced ’ was later continued by the Rev, B. D. I Ashcroft during whose term of vicarI age the present open-air wing was added to the school. As memorials to [ tho work of the deceased vicars, a photograph of the Rev. Ashcroft will be hung permanently in the open-air room and another of tho Rev. Kitcat will be placed in the main building. The second photograph of the Bev. ’ Ashcroft will be hung in the Parish 5 Hall. In outlining t-he work done by these r two vicars, the Rev. J. F. Mayo said 1 that he considered it. a great privilege ■ for him to unveril the photographs that L afternoon. Referring to the splendid 1 qualities of tho deceased gentlemen, the speaker touched upon the early days of the school’s foundation and paid a tribute to the noble initial work of the Rev. Kitcat. "Surely it must ; have been n bold stop on tKe part of Mr. Kitcat,” the speaker said, “in starting a church school in this parish. ■ There were very few church schools iu tho diocese at the time and Mr. Kit- ■ cat felt that it was his duty to bring a knowledge of God to the younger folk. His work must have required a great deal of energy and persistence. We all realise, however, the advantage this school has been, and how his ideals were carried on by Basil David Ashcroft. Air. Ashcroft, was responsible for the building in which wc are this afternoon. It was the first open air schoolroom to be built in the North Island and has since been responsible for others being erected.” The speaker went on to stress tho value of church schools. It was vast’.V important that the younger generation 1 should be given an extra chance. It was not only the Bible lessons and the knowledge of God derived from such establishments, but also the religious atmosphere which assisted in no small degree towards the moulding of their characters. Since the begining of church schools, ten to fourteen years ago, many had fallen by the wayside through lack of fun<ls and support and to-day there are about only four church schools remaining. Marton, however, was different. St. Stephen’s had behind it the work of its founder and the Rev. Ashcroft. There ceaseless and untiring efforts had established a valuable asset to the parish. The speaker implored his listeners to continue tha* work and to see that that school never fell by the wayside. "And so let us thank God for this school,” said th? Rev. Mayo in conclu--1 sion, "and because of this, thank God for those who first conceived the idea of establishing this school. I am sure that those who have passed from it are proud of it and though a great deal of credit is due to tho excellent j staffs we havu had through the years, . wc must also remember that the staff • was co-llc-ctcd by those whom we commemorate. ’ ’ ' The hymn, "O Heavenly lather Lead Us,” brought the service to a conclusion. At St. Stephen’s Church today a further tribute was paid to the memory of the late Rev. B. D. Ashcroft, Canon Watson conducting a special service ami unveiling a memorial tablet, in the church.