Kawhia Congregational Church.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 380, 2 October 1908, Page 2

Kawhia Congregational Church.

WELCOME AND FAREWELD. SOCIAL. There were about 60 people present at the above church on Wednesday night laat,*the occasion being to welcome the Rev, D B. and Mrs Ashford ind to say fare well to the Rev. C. E. Davidson. Mr H. J. Durham occupied the chair. Wires of apology were from the Revs. G. Carr and R. Mitchell. After tbe usoua! devotional excises the chairman offered a hearty welcome to the Rev. Mr and Mrs Ashford, trusting that they would like the place as they came to know t be people. Mr Ashford thanked ihe people of Kawhia for the welcome extended to himaelf and Mrs Ashford, and also for attendance there that night. The speaker gave a sborttbiographical sketch, and asked that he be eupper ted. Tie wanted to bo everyone’s friend, aud be trusted that the people of the lows and district would take au interest in church work. —Mrs Asbford (who it might bu mentioned has done years of missionary work in parts ef Ljuilou) also spoke briefly, urging 'he parents le send tbeir children to Sunday School. Thu Ch.iirruau said that hi had a hard task to say farewell »o the Rev Mr and Mrs Davidson. He regretted their departure deeply, and he felt sure that that was the feeling of every one who knew them: personally speak ing he was proud that ba bad met Mr Davidson and his wile. As a mark of appreciation of their g-'od qualities, he handed Mr Dividson a purse of sovereigns from bis fri-nda and expressed the hope that tne deparrin » guests would have health and go«.d fortune.

The Rev. C. Davidson sta'ed that ho had bad n few surprises in hia life but he thought this was the bigtze of them all. He was thankful to tho friends foe the manifestation of their good wishes, aud also for the fact joining Mrs Davidson's name with his. He trusted that they would support bis successor and that they would be blessed aud prosper Mr Bell, sc, also spoke. Between the speeches the following items were rendered, each being well received:—Song, "Loch Lomand,” Mr Aubin ; song, “ The Link Divine," Mrs Chase ; song, " Queen of Angels,” Mr Bell, sr. ; song, " Tho Toilers,” Mr Jonathan ; song, " Sunshine and Rain,” Mrs Ashford ; song, “ The Holy City,” Mr Ducham; dialogue, Welcome,” songs, “ Gcd be With You,” and “ Giants,” Misses T. Morgan, £>. and E. Sircombe, E. Falwasser, E. and M. Langley; organ solo, Mrs Chaw. Several instrumental pieces were rendered by Miss Stevens (organ), Messrs Bathe, Aubin (violins) and Jonathan (’cello.) A splendid supper was handed round by the ladies, the gathering closing in the usual manner.