LOSS TO FIRST CHURCH

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18777, 27 October 1932, Page 2

LOSS TO FIRST CHURCH

MEMBERS FAREWELLED. LEAVING THE DISTRICT. PRESENTATIONS MADE. During the past two months First Presbyterian Church, Frankton, has suffered the loss of several old parishioners, who have left for qther parts. Last night the congregation gathered in the church hall to bid farewell to three more old members who are leaving the district. For nearly 13 years Mr and Mrs R. Middlemiss and Mr R. McClymont have been prominently associated with the church in all its activities, and there was an air of keen regret at last night’s function, when opportunity was taken by Rev. S. J. Atkins and several of the parishioners to express the sentiments of the congregation in a tangible form. .Mr and Mrs Middlemiss and Mr McClymont, who have been farming on the Whatawhata Road for many years, are leaving to take up a fruit farm in the Avondale district. ' The . large attendance at theJr valediotory gathering, which took the form of a social, evening, was a tribute to their widespread popularity. Mr Middlemiss was unable to attend through illness. Apologies were received from Rev. J. T. Burrows and Mr F. Parker, while a letter was read from Mr and Mrs Ewart, of Wellington, two old members of the church, wishing the guests of honour success and prosperity. A Severe Loss. Musical Items and a competition occupied the earlier part of the proceedings, after which Rev: S. J. Atkins referred to the real purpose of the function. First Church was suffering a severe loss in tho departure of Mr and Mrs Middlemiss and Mr McClymont, who for years past had been among the' church. They .had rendered.great service ; In . many direction's, and the church would be poorer with- their departure. What was Frankton’s loss was Avondale’s gain. He paid a tribute to the fine church spirit of the guests.- On behalf of the congregation he made the presentation of a handbag and leather shopping bag to Mrs Middlemiss,'' an initialled tobaoco pouch to Mr Middlemiss, and a pair of leather motoring gloves to Mr McClymont. Mesdames H. Toombs and Page and Messrs R. Kay, R. Morris, and E. Ewart also spoke In eulogistic terms of the work done for .the church by the departing parishioners. Mrs Page mentioned that Mrs Middlemiss had not missed a single meeting-of the« Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union in ten years. \ Applause greeted Mrs Middlemiss and Mr McClymont as they rose to reply. Both thanked the congregation for their good wishes, and expressed regret'at having tq leave the church. Memories of their associations with First Church would always be with .them. L The singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” brought the function to,'a close. during the evening'songs were rendered by Miss .Riria Kay, Rev. S. J. Atkins and Mr Erie Ewart. Mr McClymont gave selections from “The Sentimental Bloke,” while scenes from Sir Walter Scott’s “ Heart of Midlothian ” wero presented, in -costume, by Mrs W. Riddell and Misses R. Riddell, A. Dempster and B. Murray, r An amusing nursery rhymes competition was won by Misses J. Barlow and M. Dempster. ,