PRESENTATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 647, 27 May 1882, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

A meeting of a very pleasing and interesting character took place at the Wesleyan Church last night, when the choir of the church met to bid farewell to the organist, Miss Hodder, who will leave for Nelson early next week. Tea was provided at six o’clock by Mr A. Thiele, and after this part of the proceedings—which was of an exceedingly homely and sociable description—was over, the tables were cleared for the more important item in the programme. After an anthem had been sung and prayer offered, The Dev. C. If. Standage, in a neat speech, referred in the highest terms to Miss Hodder’s connection with the Wesleyan choir, after which ho presented that lady with a handsome and costly lady’s cabinet, beautifully fitted up, and very serviceable. During Mr Standage’s remarks he made mention of other choirs witli which he had had to do. In none of them had there been, as far as he could judge, such harmony prevailing between choir, choirmaster, and organist as in the Ashburton Wesleyan Church. Some well-timed references were also made with regard to the effect and uses of music in the service of the church, and ho appreciated the feeling and expression which the choir of that church evinced in its singing. At the lime of presenting the cabinet to Miss Hodder, the rev, gentleman also handed to Miss F. Hodder, who was also in the choir, an elegant music case, as an evidence of the esteem in which she was held, and the regret felt at her leaving Ashburton. Mr Rac, .’he choirmaster, paid a high compliment to Miss Hodder’s abilMes as an o'gaulst, and should always remember with pleasure the period during which he had been associated with her In the choir. Mias Hodder had not only been

regular and punctual i.i u ie .■ i co, but j she hrd always complied, wMi-mt besita-

tion, both will* his wishes concerning ihe limes to be played, and his views of exp pss'oii a d the like. He also wished, in

the name of the ehoi -, to wish Mass Hoddor “God speed,’' and trusted that wherever she went she would prove as u.efid as she had been in A&bbu ton.

Mr T. H. Hodder, cm behalf of his daughter, acknowledged the present which had been made, in suitable terms, after which, . 1 Mr Raynor Hodder made a capiial little speech, on b.dialf of his younger sister, and thanked the choir for the present made to her. Speaking for hunself, the Wesleyan choir of Ashburton was the only one which he had ever been associated with, but the memories of his connection with that body would ever be fresh, and of a pleasing kind. Mr W. H. Collins having spoken in complimentary strains of Miss Hodder’s career as organist in the church, and the regret which was felt in circumstances causing her to sever her connection with them, the benediction was pronounced, and the proceedings terminated.