The Good-Bye Soiree

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 93, 8 March 1888, Page 2

The Good-Bye Soiree

[CoMMTJmOATED.] The farewell tea given to the Ifcey. J. Olphert by the Feilding congregation of the Primitive Methodist Church and friends, came off on Monday last, and was a decided success in every way. The spread, for the most part supplied by Mr Gould, was all that could be desired, and the appetites of the guests were quite equaMo the occasion. The six tables were in charge of the following ladies, who Beemed to successfully accomplish the very difficult task of pleasing everybody :— Meadames Thompson and McLeod, Fidler and Heald, Richardson and Gould, Mrs Toy and Miss Evans, the Misses Pope and Parr, Streeter and Brown. When two or three relays of the visitors had successfully attacked the various batteries so ably defended by the ladies, and retired discomfitted, it seemed to be decided by a unanimous, though silent, resolution, that the duties of mastication had been sufficiently attended to. At this crisis it was suggested by some friends that the meeting should adjourn to the Salvation Army Barracks, so as to accommodate the large number present. This was done, and in due course all was ready for the final engagement in the Barracks. Mr Olphert gave out the opening hymn, and called upon Mr Tinsley to pray. Mr J. C. Thompson, who was called* to the chair, said that while he was, as a member of the church, much pleased at the success of the tea, and the presence of so large a company, yet such pleasure was modified by the feeling of stxdness that usually attends farewell scenes. Mr Olphert had taken charge of the station in its hour of need, and rendered it really good service during the list eleven months, and leavingit now only atthe call of duty to work elsewhere. He would take with him the prayers and sympathies of every member of the church, and of many outside friends. After another hymn by the choir, the Rev. Mr Tinsley, of Palmerston, was called on to address the meeting. This he did in a very humorous, profitable, and instructive speech, dwelling specially on the good feeling that should exist between Christians." Mr Wratt next gave a short address. The Rev. Mr Griffin, of Sandon, and Capt. Woods, of the Salvation Army, also gave interesting addresses. Mr H. Ourran spoke very nicely on the great importance of Christianity among the young. Mr Olphert's farewell address was listened to with wrapt attention. He gave a resume of the work since he came on the station, and bespoke a hearty welcome for his successor, Mr Harris. A few of Miss Olphert's friends presented her with a beautiful book during the evening, and Mr Olphert tood advantage of the opportunity to thank them on her behalf. He concluded by wishing the church and his every friend all prosperity, j and asking their prayers for success in his now field of labor. The Benediction breught a pleasant meeting to a conclusion. At the close, Mr A. Linton, of Halcombe, proposed and Mr H. P. Thompson, of Taipo, seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and friends, who had so successfully organised and carried out the tea arrangements, also to the choir for their important part in rendering the evening so pleasant and profitable. Mrs Richardson as usual kindly presided at the harmonimm.