AIL SAINTS CHURCH.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1917, Page 1

AIL SAINTS CHURCH.

TARTSHIOXF.R’S WELCOME TO

SISTER DORA

A very largo and enthusiastic gather* jug of the parishioners o't All Saint s Church was iield on Thursday evening last in the church schoolroom, for the

purpose of giving- a welcome to Sister Dora the head of the new Girl’s Hostel. The social wa s the first of several which will he held dn different part* of the Hokitika Parochial district for tins purpose. Tlie \ iear, the R<iv. J. it. Holloway, presided over the meeting and was supported by Messrs H. L. Michel and it. M/ King, church wardens, and members of the All Saint’s Church Committee, while about two

hundred parishioners were t present. The Revs. P 7 It. Fraser and Hi Ryan were also present during the evening. The schoolroom had heon transformed by a committee* of ladies in to a reception room, while two large tables, (gifts towards the furnishing of the Hostel) stood in the middle of the mom for the purpose of receiving the' many gifts which were brought during the evening.

After a verse of the Rational Anthem had been sung tlm Vicar introduced Sister Dora to the parishioners, and. took the opportunity of reminding his hearers of the steps by which the -idea of a Girl’s Hostel had become an established fact in .the parish. The Hokitika Hostel was one part of the Forward .Scheme of Church Education in the Dio cose of Christchurch, which had been recently set in operation, and Church people should never forget that this scheme in general, and the Hokitika Hostel in particular, was due mainly to the, personal enthusiasm of their Bishop and his real interest ini the three Westland parishes of his Diocese. He then went on to speak of the particular _work which awaited Sister Dora and her associates. Resides being head. of the Hostel, she would be able to help in many ways in tbe parish. He assured her that the.traditional kindness and hospitality of Westland folk would soon cause her to feel quite at home. -Mr. H. L. Michel. People’s Warden of the -Parish then welcomed Sister Dora on behalf of the parishioners. The church people of their district, he said, should be very gratified to know that so experienced and devoted a Deaconess as Sister Dora was well-known te be, should have been sent to Hokitika to have charge of the new Hostel, and to help the Vicar in the parish. He. was glad to accord her a very hearty welcome. After Mr R. M. King (Bishop’s Warden) and Mr. .T. B. Ward had added their words of welcome, Sister Dora ■ feelingly replied. She thanked those, present for their warm sympathy with her work, ns'shown by their presence there that’ evening and by the many gifts towards furnishing tbe Hostel which bad been received in tbe way of articles of furniture, supplies for the larder and money gifts. She hoped in due time to become well acquainted with all the Church people of Hokitika, and to be able to titanic them all personally. The work of the Girl’s Hostel was a most important work, and she asked for the constant prayers of the faithful that God’s Blessing should rest upon it and upon her own efforts and those of her associates. During the evening a musical pro-, gramme was submittel and thoroughly enjoyed. The following contributed items: Misses W. King and At. Harconrfc (pianoforte duet), Messrs M. Macandrew, F. Stapleton, 0. Lloyd, and Mesdames Stavely and do Berry (songs) Mr.'and Mrs. X B. Ward (duet), Miss Heenan (pianoforte solo), Master R-. Xnldor (clarionet), and Mr. McGregor (song). PRESENTATION TO DR HOLLOWAY.

Tn the course of the. evening Mr. H. L. Michel the'Pedple’s Warden," on behalf of the pnrishohers tendered to the Vicar their very hearty congratula-

tions on his attaining the very high degree of Doctor of Science and presented him with a blue silk hood which that degree entitles him to wear'. In the course of his remarks Air. Michel stated that had the the Collectors Mesdames McGregor and Mackay, asked for a larger .subscription they would have had no difficulty—oven in itw* days of constant appeals—in raising a very substantial amount. The sub-

scription had, • however, been limited and he hoped that wherever Dr. Hollo- | way wore the hood he would remembei not only the high distinction it ropie- ' sen ted but also that it: eiirystalised tbe good wishes and esteem of every out of bis parishioners; The Rev. P. B. Fraser M.A. and the •llev. H. Ryan, then spoke in most graceful terms of the good-feeling they bad for Dr. Holloway, and took toe opportunity of congratulating the Anglican Church upon the forward step it was taking in the establishment of aHostel.

Mix Mackay voiced the good wishes and congratulations of the country parishioners, and Messrs R. King and j. B. Ward briofly but very warmly endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. The Rev. Dr. Holloway who was greeted by a small tempest of applause feelingly thanked the speakers for their expressions of regard and the parishioners for their gift, and explained that though some might be puzzled as to why :l Minister of Religion should in Ids spare time go in for scientific research, lie believed firmly that in following Ids bent fori that subject lie was only trying to fulfill the duty which devotes upon every man of using and developing one’s talents to the utmoSlT in the Service of Religion. Upon the rev quest of Mr. Michel be promised to give a lecture at some future date upon the branch of science upon which be. was engaged.

A very bountiful supper was served by the ladies of the congregation about 10.30., and tbe evening terminated with the singing of a verse of the Xational Anthem.

Last night the Sunday School children of All Saints came together for the purpose of offering their welcome, to Sister Dora. One of their mothers had made the happy "suggestion that the children should bring a gift for the Hostel in the shape of a plate or a. cup and saucer. This suggestion bad been taken up and the necessary arrangements made, with the result that large set of cups and saucers and plates was presented by the children to Smu*i Dora for the Hostel . In a few wellcliosen words Sister Dora thanked the children for their gifts, and enlisted their ■ sympathy and prayers for her work. The rest of the evening was spent in games and supper was handeo round soon after eight o’clock.