VALEDICTORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 16, 14 April 1947, Page 5

VALEDICTORY

FAREWELL TO REV. AND MRS N. DRAKE LARGE PUBLIC GATHERING The Parish Hall was filled to capacity last Thursday evening when Rev. and Mrs N. Drake were farewelled by members of the Anglican congregation and their widespread circle of friends from town and district generally. Residents from Taneatua and from Edgecumbe were prominent and representative speakers from various sections emphasised the general regret at the departure of the guests of the evening who leave this week for Pukekohe.

Mr C. R. Coates who acted as -chairman for the official ceremony, made a presentation of a silver casserole dish to Rev. and Mrs Drake conveying to them the good wishes • of their many Whakatane friends. He added that both had endeared themselves to tile people of town and district and had made many lifelong friendships. He paid a warm tribute to the manner in which Rev. Drake had always co- • operated with the vestry in all things connected with the Church, and the happiest ..relations had resulted at • all times.

Dr. E. T. Dawson also spoke for the Anglican community, adding that though their guests had been only a comparatively short time in "Whakatane they had quickly accommodated themselves and made many genuine friends. Captain Rogers (Church Army) spoke for the outdistricts and voiced the regret of many country residents who at the same time tendered their best good wishes.

Rev. J. H. Bell spoke for the Presbyterian community and Mr F. Gardner Brown for the Methodist circuit, both of them stressing the wonderful unity which existed between the churches.

On behalf of the Bible Class, Yvonne McNaughton handed Rev. Drake with a presentation book. Responding Rev. Drake said that be too regretted leaving so many good friends in Whakatane. Both he and his wife had thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn in the district and hoped to revisit it when ever opportunity offered. He deeply appreciated all that had been said and trusted that the same cordial cooperation would be extended his successor.

During the social section of the ✓evening Mr C. S. Armstrong acted ,-as M.C. Very, enjoyable items were .-given by Mrs J. Larmer (violin solos), Mr Topp (vocal solos) and a duet by Dr. Dawson and Mr Armstrong. In connection with Rev. Drake's departure, we learn that to date there has been no actual appointment made by the Bishop for his replacement.