AS GOD FATHER

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 272, 22 November 1935, Page 2

AS GOD FATHER

RT. HON. J. G. COATES CHRISTENING CEREMONY No prouder parents are to be found in Napier at present than Mr. and Mrs John Speakman, whose four-months-old son, John Gordon Lawrence, has the distinction of having New Zealand’s Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, for his godfather. The child was christened by Canon Alfred Hodge at St. Augustine’s Church yesterday morning, and the romantic incidents leading up to Mr. Coates’s acting as godfather attracted a large congregation to the church..

Mr. Coates was accompanied by Mrs. Coates .at the ceremony yesterday. Canon Hodge told a “Herald” reporter that the Minister of Finance

took a keen interest in the service. After it was over, he signed the certificate in the vestry office, remarking jokingly, “The baby followed the service with intelligent interest.” After leaving the church he went to the Napier aerodrome and left by air in continuation of his election tour.

“I think that it was a most gracious thing for Mr. Coates to do,” said Canon Hodge. “He did not come to the ceremony as a matter of form — he entered into the service very nicely indeed. Both his wife and he are very gracious people.” As a memento of the occasion, Mr Coates presented John Gordon Lawrence Speakman with a silver christening mug.

By acting as godfather to the child Mr. Coates has undertaken duties which must keep him in touch with the baby boy for many years to come. Canon Hodge said yesterday that, as god-father, he must do all in his power to see that the child is taught the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the ten commandments and all other things a Christian ought to know and believe.

He must also see that the child is

brought up virtuously to lead a God-

ly, Christian life and that, when he is older, he be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed.