Opotiki.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XI, Issue 3, 1 September 1920, Page 310

Opotiki.

Vicar : Rev." T. Fisher. This time I will lay aside the, jmpersonal, and write as Vicar. Great consideration has been shown us, both by the Bishop and by his commissary, m arranging for us to go to Napier, and take lup needed work there, and I have accepted the call.' Our 5£ years m Opotiki have much endeared you all to us, and it is a great trial to have to say good-bye, but years take their toll as they pass, such strenuous and anxious years, especially as these have been. The hallowed Church of St. Stephen the Martyr has gathered us together on very many solemn occasions, and there are few m Opotiki who have not met me there, and joined m acts of worship of one kind or another. I , would desire that air such should remember me by these, acts, as linking" us to the One Eternal Creator and preserver of our bodies, and our spirits. Since the last annual report, the vestry has received from the Diocesan Trust Board the further help of another loan of £100, which releases us from obligation to the Bank of New Zealand, leaving there only a balance on the building account of less than £70, a manageable amount, which we may "^reasonably hope to clear off among ourselves fairly soon. I am quite confident that m other hands than mine the parish will make good advance m a spiritual sense, now that the overwhelming burden of debt is removed, and the strain of war is over. It had been our hope to have seen the memorial Lych gate and fence erected and dedicated, but I am not without hope that soon this will be done. May Ibe able to attend at its dedication ! You have a little group of devoted and loyal Sunday school teachers, one of whom is als© ably acting as organist at Sunday services, though finding it too much strain. I hope a member of the congregation will soon offer, to help her. I hope, too, that the next Sunday school teachers'

school to be Jieidiyill find some, if not all, of the teachers joining up m Nspie£ for it. The in'einbers of the cpn^ga'tion; especially the parents of children to teacfi the Christian ' f^it^ . coftld hardly do a worthier act than make a present to the testch&rs \ of a;: trip $;. Napier* The cost; would; foeilrt^ travelling-; expenses; andp itheyi would reaiy;lastiiig; ; beneflt: in' their children 's instriieitidh^ ; ; ', ; ; "' : .: .:.". -,:•; : ■■■■■*■ y/'. v I; stialfHa^e?:<with' v ni6 li:manyVmemP':'.'..1 i:manyVmemP':'.'.. ries: . oi "stirring ; events; war ep'ideiriicSj- flood; ; all 'reminding; me what Opotiki people, can and will do inj a good cause, and not; the least of them the sound response -to the "i-nvi-r ta-tionpiif behalf -pi, starring SerMain children just recently made, , I' shall :be called upon .tp close; up aiy accounts for I'Gazette''subscriptions. Please i give any 'that : iaay be due either to me, or to Mr Vickers for me. , ; ;..,. My confident hope is that the vestry and congregiatidn of St. Stephen's will give their whole-hearted and energetic, support to whoever is called to follpw after me,. in ministeringin spiritual things, and my prayer' will ever be that God^ the Holy Spirit will inspire, direct and bless all your efforts, to, the praise of His Holy Name!