GIFT AFTERNOON

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17994, 12 April 1930, Page 15 (Supplement)

GIFT AFTERNOON

MISSIONARY FAREWELLED AT ROTOTUNA. A “gift afternoon,” organised by the R-ototuna Ladies’ Guild, was tendered to Miss Annie Thomas on the eve of her departure for the Soudan as missionary nurse. The Church Ilall was arranged as a drawing-room. The Rev. A. 0. Harris controlled proceedings. The several accompaniments were played by Miss Katie Clements. The afternoon passed pleasantly with competitions,, interspersed with songs rendered by Mrs Findlay and Mrs Money. In the unavoidable absence of the Rev. J. Haslop Mr T. Henderson, as Presbyterian representative, spoke of the sterling qualities of the guest. Mr Henderson assured Miss Thomas that she will be followed in her long journey by the best washes and the prayers of her numerous friends in the land of her birth.

The Rev. A. 0. Harris also spoke, and called on Miss Rene Roller, secretary of the Young Ladies’ Bible Class, to speak a few words. Miss Holler asked Miss Thomas to accept from the Bible Class girls a pair of Red Cross blankets. Numerous beautiful and useful gifts from Rototuna friends were also presented to the guest, who on rising to speak her thanks was banded

a pale .pink bouquet by Miss May Thompson. Speaking in acknowledgment Miss Thomas thanked her friends for the kind words spoken, the good wishes expressed, and the generous gifts. She had realised for many years that she had received a definite call to foreign mission work and recently the way was opened to h.er to go to the Soudan. The singing of “Blest Be the Tie that Binds’’ and the Benediction terminated proceedings, after which a dainty afternoon tea was partaken of.