Rotorua.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 2, 1 August 1914, Page 23

Rotorua.

Vicar Elect : Rev. Kenneth McLean. Curate: Rev. J. S. Greet: Regret, deep and* widespread, was felt m the Rotorua parochial district, both by members of the Anglican communion and, by those of other Churches, over the departure of Archdeacon C. A. Tisdall, who, after having held the pastoral charge of the district for over ten years, left on July 17th to take the position of Vicar of Kllerslie. During the few weeks preceding his departure, he and Mrs Tisdall received many practical indications of the esteem m which they were held, m the form of entertainments and presentations. As far back as July Ist, the Rotorua Fire Brigade, 1 of which the Archdeacon was Chaplain for over nine years, presented him, at the annual social of the Brigade, with a gold-mounted walking stick. Later on he wrote resigning his chaplaincy, which was. accepted with an expression of deep regret, and he was elected an honorary life member of the Brigade. On Jiuly Bth a large number of ladies attended a farewell tea given m the Ruuanga Tea Kiosk m honour of Mrs Tisdall, and on the evening of that, day the Archdeacon, at the annual gathering of the SundaySchool scholars ol S. Luke's, was presented by the Superintendent, Mr T. C. Hawkins, with a gold-mounted fountain pen as a valedictory gift from, the teachers and children. The round of presentations was continued on the next evening when the Arch-

deacon, at the annual social of the: Hotdrua Bow.ing Club, 'received a bowl-case as a mark of the ■ esteem and respect of his fellow-meiribers of the Club. On the fallowing day; the local branch of the Mothers'^.XJhiori m which he took a keen and practi^ cal interest, presented, him 'with an' illuminated address. •The .retiring Vicar r preached .his farewell sermon to the people of ; S: Luke's on the evening of Sunday, July 1 2th. The weather was very wintry, but, nevertheless, there was a good congregation. Taking for his text 1 the words " I therefore beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians iv. I.), he said that he had tried, very feebly sometiin'es, he was afraid, to preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, and he exhorted his hearers to walk worthy of their vocation m all the walks of life, to carry their Christianity into their business and into their pleasures, to make their Church a home of brethren, of love, of work and of prayer.. The members of the Mothers' Union met again on the afternoon of Monday, July 13th, at a social meeting for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mrs Tisdall, their President, and Miss Griffin of the Maori Mission, who after able and faithful service as Secretary of the Branch, has been transferred to Auckland. They presented Mrs Tisdall with a silvermounted inkstand, and Miss Griffin with a leather writing case as valedictory gifts. The latter lady, who has done excellent work m the local branch of the Girls' Friendly Society was presented by its members, during the preceding week, with a goldmounted fountain pen and an autograph album filled with their signatures. • The valedictory functions culminated m a large gathering m the Parish Ha,l on> the evening of July 14th, when Mr P. J. Hammond, parishioners' Churchwarden, presented Mrs Tisdall with a pair of silver candlesticks, and the Archdeacon with a roll-top desk, the final practical expression of the parishioners' regard . The gathering represented more than the Anglican cammunity, for members of all the religious denominations , m Rotorua were present. Speeches .of a highly eulogistic character were made by the Rev. D. Hird (S. John's Presbyterian Church), the Rev. H. T. Peat (Bainbridge Memorial Methodist Church), Captain Hawkins (Salvation Army), Mr W. Hill, resident officer, who spoke on behalf of the townspeople m general. The Rev. J. L. Greer, Curate of the District, who, is shortly to rejoin his Vicar at Ellerslie, added his testimony to the sterling worth of the latter, and the Rtey F. A. Bennett, on behalf of the Maori congregation of S. Faith's, presented the Archdeacon with a, walking, stick carved by an old-time native artist now departed. An illuminated ad-

dress frpm the congregation of . S . Peter/s* ; Manaaiku, was also presented. The V ; ery Rev. ; Dean Lightheart, of S. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, who. was away from Rotorua, sent an apology for his absence. Captain George Prictqr,. -District Commander of the. jltptorua Boy Scouts, and Scoutmaster 1% G\, Hawkins, attended! io , show the Scouts' appreciation of one who has done much for their organisiation, and who held the rank of . Chaplain m the local troops. Archdeacon Tisdall was deeply alfected by these general manifestations of esteem, and acknowledged . them, on his wife's behalf and on his own, m a speech of touching impressiveness. . ; i _. . .-. .. . ; ; The Archdeacon preside)! at the aniiiual meeting of the parishioners of S. Luke's, held on the following evening. A report and balance sheet of a generally satisfactory character were presented. Mr John Halkett, who has -nine years' service dnthe Vestry to his credit, was appointed Vicar's Churchwarden. Mr J. Wrathall was elected parishioners Churchwarden, and Messrs P. B. Giles, A'. Stevens, C. S. Algie, H. E. Gilbert, TV. T. Pakes, H. H. Davis, and 0. W. Exall were chosen as Vestrymen. The meeting passed a motion expi'essing hish. appreciation of the retiring Vicar's services, and a hope that God may prosper his efforts m his' new sphere of labour. A resolution expressing appreciation of the action of the Government m introducing the Bible m Schools Referendum Bill, and urging the member for the district to support it, was also carried. On the morning of his departure, Archdeacon Tisdall. held an Early Celebration of the Holy Communion m S. Luke's Churchy About fortyfive persons communicatedf A large gathering of members of the Church and others assepabled at the railway station to bid farewell , to him and Mrs Tisdall.