A POPULAR MINISTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1917, Page 4

A POPULAR MINISTER.

REV P. P. FENDALL HONOURED.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS’ PASTORAL SERVICE.

On Monday afternoon the parishioners of St John’s Church, Rangi ora, assembled in the parish room to do honour to their vicar, the Rev F. P. Fendall, on the completion of his twenty-fifth year of pastoral service in the town. The room was crowded to the doors, and the proceedings throughout were ol a most happy nature. Mr T. Leech, parishioners’ warden, presided. A large number of telegrams were received, including one'from Bishop Julius, and others from exparishioners apologising for absence and conveying congratulations and good wishes to the vicar and Mrs Fendall.

Mr W. E. Barton, minister’s warden, expressed the felicitations of the parishioners and bore testimony to the faithful and successiul way in which the vicar had discharged his pastoral duties during his long ministry in the town, and also his responsibilities as a citizen. The speaker also made grateful reference to Mrs Feudall’s good work in the parish.

Brief speeches of a congratulatory character were made by Canon Purchas, the Revs C. A. Fraer, J. Holland and VV. H. Howes, Captain Hawkin, Mr E. W. Relph and the Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings), who referred more particularly to the Rev Mr Fendall’s services in connection with municipal and patriotic affairs of the borough.

The presentation of ,a solid silver tea service to Mr and Mrs Fendall was an interesting part of the proceedings. It had been arranged that Bishop Julius should make the presentation, but in his unavoidable absence the duty was ’allotted to Archdeacon Gosset. Mr Fendall, in- response, expressed his deep gratitude to the speakers for their kindly reference to Mrs Fendall and himself, and to the parishioners for all the kindness shown them during their connection with the parish, and the further evidence of their good feeling in the present made them. During the afternoon anthems were sung by the choir, under Mr G. Gibbs Jordan, and after the National Anthem a number of the ladies served afternoon tea.

Amongst those who sent apologies for absence were the Ver}’ Rev Dean Hyland and the Rev J. Guy.