VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5253, 19 March 1928, Page 1

VALEDICTORY.

FUNCTION AT TURUA.

A POPULAR MINISTER.

Presbyterians of the Hauraki Plains and Turua friends of the Rev. and Mrs Charteris assembled at the Town Hall, Turua, on Wednesday evening to bid farewell to the popular minister and his wife. The Rev. J'. Lowden, of Paeroa, presided. During the evening musical and vocal were contributed and valedictory speeches were given. The first speaker was the Rev. James Milne, of Thames, who referred to the departure of. Mr and Mrs Charteris as the breaking-up of a co partnership, and urged that the pcopfle should endeavour to help their new minister so that the atmQspheie for a true relationship of co-partner-ship would be created'. Mr and Mr? Charteris had done very good work under difficult conditions, but he (the speaker) was sure that in their new field of labour they would be very happy and would have an enjoyable time.

Mr J. C. Miller, of 'Kopuarahi, said that another milestone had been reached, and the roads of the people and their minister now parted. The Rev. Charteris had had a hard time on the Plains, as the Presbyterians, were not very numerous, and no.w that the other churches had their own ministers it was only to be expected that the people would support tlieir own church. The Rev. Charteris had ever ' been ready to assist alii the churches, and wasj on the best of terms with people of all denominations Concluding, Mr Miller wished Rev. and Mrs Charteris good luck, good fortune, and good health in .■whatever parts thrir road led them to-

Other speakers were Mr R. McAulay, of Pipiroa, Mr. A. P. Dryden, of Turu.a, and the Rev. D. Maddison, Anglican vicar.

After supper liad been served the Rev. Lowden referred to the Rev. Charteris as a conscientious minister and a good leader, who had? gathered a fine body of men and women to assist him. His ability as an. orgaiser had been the means of putting the church on a good financial! position. Mr T. J. Davies paid a tribute to the fine work performed by Rev. and .Mrs Charteris in the district. Mr Charteris was one of tihe finest men he had ever met, and Mrs Charteris was an able seconder. He had done his best, and the Hauraki Plains would be the poorer for his departure. His optimism had been a continual inspiration. Mr Davies then handed Mr Charteris a monetary gift as a free will offering from all sections of the community.

In reply the Rev. Charteris said that most people knew that he was nbitiher bashful or shy, but on this occasion he did not know where or how to begin. He had made many friends, and always had many willing assistants. Among these he could mention the McAulays, of. Pipiroa, Mr and Mrs Davies, of Turua, Mr Dryden, of Orongo, the Millers of Kopua,rahi, the Murrays, Dales and- >Villiamp, of Turua, Mrs Haistings and Mrs McDuff, of Nga.tea, Mrs Beaver and Mrs Burdus, of Waitakaruru, but there were .many others who> had been equally as helpful. When speaking at the Presjbytery he had spoken of his board of managers as being competent to run a cathedral. These people had helped him wonderfully, a.nld he desired to give them hiis sincere thanks. For his part he had' endeavtoured t° do his best, and though at times he realised that it was not even 18 carat, it was his best.

Mr Charteris extended an invitation to visit Mrs Charteris and himself in Inglewood. He expressed l hig pleasure at hearing the expression of good wishes fronts the Anglican people through their vicar. On very many occasions there 'had been more Anglicans than Presbyterians present at hjs services. Concluding, he thanked the Presbyterianfe and the people of the other denominations, for their kindness and support. During the evening musicg.l items were contribute! by Miss Gibb, songs by Miss Gibb, Mrs K. Fox, and! Mr H. Owens, and a Maori haka by the Taylor boys. The function colidluded with a dance.