VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4445, 26 July 1922, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

REV. AND MRS. McDONALD. The farewell tendered to the Rev. and Mrs McDonald at the Methodist Hall last evening was well attended, Mr W. F. Johnstone presiding . The early part of the evening was devoted to singing, many excellent items being given, and tp break the stiffness a community sing was indulged in.

Mr E. W. Porritt, on behalf of the congregation, said that the evening was tinged with a certain amount of sadness, for during. Rev.. McDonalds stay here he had been well liked. He lh.ad come to Paeroa a.s a minister otthe Gospel.. He had proved himself to be ?. capable minister and also proved himself tp be a useful citizen. The Paeroa Borough Council and the Paeroa Chamber ofl Commence had eae'h. taken their farewells with great regret. They all regretted losing him as a minister. He had laboured well and truly, and believed that he had done good. The wish of aJJ. was material blessing and prosperity. Rev. F. B. Dobson, in a short address of farewell, said that he had at all times found Mir McDonald.willing to assist, and felt sure that in Spiritual, matters, the congregation were on a higher level than they were six years ago.

Rev. Enticott added his appreciation on behalf of the Methodist community. Mr McDonald bad proved himself a Christian minister and had able tp lifit the Spiritual tone of Paeroa. He had done what he himself had failed to do, and that was ‘o get one of his (Rev. Enbicott’s) congregation to church. This man had said he had not been to church fpr 26 years, yet the reverend gentleman had not only got him tp church, but the whole of the Paeroa Borough Councillors (laughter). In responding, to the addresses of farewell Rev. McDonald said that it made a man humble when he hears the good things said about him. He did not think he had done what he had set out to do when he came, but he felt that his work here was finished, and that was the reason for accepting a call to Foxton. Theie was a very big field in this place. His district was very much larger than many had any conception of, but he had never refused to get to a place, although it was extremely difficult at times. Whenever he took a matter in hand he always did his West tp see it through. Going into civic matters was ne,w ground to him. He had done Ibis best while there to help forni plans and to realise the vision he had of .the possibilities of the church, and town of. Paeroa as he saw it when he first came to. the place. He had had. a loyal body of supporters in has church matters, and the officers, of the church were loyal in every project that he had submitted ,tc them, and the congregation were loyal. This had helped him very much. The vision and enthusiasm of the place did not seem tp be in the air. Wihile the people were warm-hearted he would like tp seethem more enthusiastic of Paeroa. H2 wished the people of Paeroa would get enthusiastic of the town and support the projects that were for the advancement ot the place. If they did this he predicted that, in a few years We would all see a very great difference in the place. The people wanted a little more vision, and he was sure they would rise to the Occasion and cause that was calling. He thanked all the leaders and church workers for the help that had been given to him, for which he felt heartily grateful He had tried to do what he could It was a big. parish, and hie was only able to do one man’s work. He had done his best as a preacher of the gospel. He would always cherish kindly thoughts of the Paeroa congregation. He had always tried to do what he could tp co-operate with the other ministers, and ‘.was sorry he was leaving as lhe had made some staunch friends. He thankee! the- previous speakers for all the kind, things they had said.

After supper and a general farewelling, the singing of “Auld l Lang Syne” brought to a dose a very pleasant evening.