St Mary's Parishoners

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 November 1916, Page 3

St Mary's Parishoners

MAKE PRESENTATION TO REV. ) H. T. .STEALEY. I Nest week tiie iUlt H. T. Stealey is i leaving for Petone, and lately the members of St .Mary's Chinch have been exercised in mind how best to mark their appreciation of the splendid work Mr Stealey has carried through during the four years he has been here. In that time he has made himself without seeking, widely popular, and so. although it was known he was against accepting anything in the way of a present many of his parishioners considered, they could not ,Ift him depavi with only their best wishes. They felt their esteem for their vicar should be shown in a more tangible form, and at the bazaar last evening they took the opportunity of doing so. Mr T. Brown, speaking on behalf of the vestry and parishioners said it was difficult to suitably acknowledge the good work Mr Stealey had done in the parish and all were sorry to lose him and iMrs Stealey. Everyone admitted the work they had. done. ! Mr Stealev was always to the front when when any good work iva«. to be carried out. and lie could safely say they would find it hard to find his equal elsewhere. (Applause). They >eould feel much hotter than he could express it in words, the loss they would sustain. Wherever Mr and iMrs Stealey went they w-O'ultl have their good wishes. (Applause). Mr Stealey bad been averse to receiving any presentation, because the finances of the church were a bit behind, and he (Mr Stealey) pre-fen-red to see his .successor have a good start with his work, but since then that position of affairs had beeji rectified and Mr Stealey's objection did not now hold good, and so small sums had been given them by members to the congregation for the purpose of making liim a presentation, but whatever thev gave him would inadequately "represent the value of tho work lie had done. They regretted that Mr and iMrs Stealey were leaving here atid wished they could have stayed longer with them. " (Applause).

Mr N\ Holdawav. on behalf of the parishioners, presenterii Mr Stealey with a handsome inkstand.

Mr iStealev thanked them for their kind words audi for the gift. He had no idea tliat it was to he made. He had desired to leave the finance of the church in a sound posit'on in order that his successo'r would have a lair chance. He had always done his best to put the interests of the parish first and thanked the vestry and the parishioners for the way they had helped hi mi and worked together. He also thanked them for the kindness they had extended to himself and Mrs Stealey. (Applause).

A round nf hearty cheers was given for Mr and Mrs Stealer and all jo.:ucd ill singing "For lie's a. jolly good tellow."