A GALLANT CLERIC

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 37, 6 November 1937, Page 9

A GALLANT CLERIC

Work of the Late Canon Clarke puketaplT parish In the recent articl© on the 2oth anniversary c.f the Puketapu Church District, reference to th© ministry carried on by the late Rev. Canon Alfred P. Clarke was inadvertently omitted. Before the partition of the district from All Saints* Parish, Taradale, Canon Clarke for oyer 15 years laboured broughout the wide territory and by all. fo whom he ministered he will long be remembered with esteem and affection. A humble and devout Christian man, Canon 'CJarke endeared himself to the settlers among whom he did valued pioneering work which ocfiupies an honoured place in the history of the Anglican Church in Hawke's Bay. To all Canon Clarke was a worthv friend wbose spiritual guidance and influenee was an inspiration. Among many leading families in Hawke'a Bay to-day a febling of gratitude is still felt for the faithful service given by the Canon, whiqh was a wortHy example of tru© Christian ©ndfeavour. It might also be explaxned that both Owhaoko and Moawhango, where services were given,. wero in the Wellington Diocese and were worked by a special arrangement. These lonely outposts, far beyond the ranges from Kuripapanga, involved a long journey in the saddle and in the case of, Moar whango jt meant almost a ninety milo ride to reach the deatination. This included the fording of. the Rangitikei, which was always a dangerous crosslng. To carry on a ministry in such remote places so difficult of access wag a test of courage and endurance little realised or appreciated to-day except by surviving early settlers,