WITH 3rd. ECHELON

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 127, 23 February 1940, Page 4

WITH 3rd. ECHELON

REV. K. J. WATSON'S POST

RELINQUISHING* CHARGE IN WHAKATANE

Advice has been received by the Rev. K. J. Walsjn, minister of the Knox Presbyterian Church, that he lias been selected as' a padre with the Third Echelon and is to go into (•amp shortly. Though the camp to which Mr Watson will be posted is not definitely known, it is learned that in all probability it will be Trcnthnm. Mr Watson will rank as captain while with the Forces. A farewell social from the three Knox Bible Classes was tendered to Mr Watson last Monday evening. Although there was a feeling of deep regret nt his departure from Whakatane, a time of fellowship was spent in games and competitions. The presentation of an engraved set of military hair brushes on behalf of the two senior classes was made by Mr Jim Fraser, who in n neat little speech spoke of the friendship that existed between the minister and all class members and asked him to acccpt the gift as a token of the esteem in which he was "held. Mr Watson will preach his last sermon in the Whakatane Knox Church on Sunday evening. Opportunity will be taken by the congregation to tender him a farewell at the conclusion of the service. The Rev. K. J. Watson has.been minister of the Knox Presbyterian Church for the last three-and-a-half years. A very popular padre, both, with Presbyterians and others, he has worked hard for any cause requiring assistance. He is Chairman of the School Committee and has greatly assisted that body and education in the district. He is also the Child Welfare Officer for Whakatane. An outstanding figure in the Wha katane Rugby world, Mr Watson, who is an ex-Otago representative forward, played, for the Buccaneers and will long be remembered for his forward play. As a referee he was very efficient and extremely popular and his absence from' the football, as %vell as the social and religious fields Avill be keenly felt in Whakatane.