VICAR FAREWELLED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 201, 26 August 1943, Page 4

VICAR FAREWELLED

REV. W. H. WALTON, PATEA

(0.C.) Patea, Aug. 26. The Rev. W. H. Walton, vicar ot Patea, for the past 114 years, and Mrs. Walton, were farewelled recently by parishioners of St. George’s Church. Mr. E. F. Hemingway presided in the absence of Mr. C. R. Honeyfield, vicar's warden. By his genial and happy manner, coupled with a keen sense of humour, Mr. Walton had endeared himself to many, said Mr. Hemingway. He wished both Mr. and Mrs. Walton every success for the future. Messrs. H. J. Hall (Kakaramea), E. W. Burnand (Alton), W. Barton (Whenuakura), and S. R. Dunby (Manutahi), expressed regret at Mr. and Mrs. Walton's departure. Mr. W. T. Lamb spoke on behalf of members of Knox Church. Mr. G. W. T. Corbett, people's warden, expressed regret at losing Mr. and Mrs. Walton from the district and on behalf of parishioners presented Mr. Walton with a cheque and ask«l him to purchase with it some mepento of his stay ir. Patea.

Mr. Walton, in reply, thanked the speakers for their very kind and appreciative remarks and said he was sorry to leave Patea. He had previously rejected three offers of other parishes but this time the Bishop had asked him to send in his resignation as Vicar of Patea to enable him to take charge of the parish of Miramar and Seatovn. Mr. Walton paid a warm tribute to the assistance he had received at all limes at the hands of his warden, Mr. Honeyfield. In conclusion he thanked the parishioners for their gift, also members of the vestry, the honorary organists, Sunday school teachers, and all who had assisted in the work of the church during is stay in Patea. | Mr. and Mrs. Walton leave on Friday for their new home,