VISIT OF THE VEN. ARCHDEACON HARPER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2631, 11 February 1885, Page 2

VISIT OF THE VEN. ARCHDEACON HARPER.

The. periodical visit of the Most Rev. Bishop Harper, or of his deputy the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, M.A., to the western portion of the diocese of Canterbury is always looked forward to with interest and-pleasure by members of the Church of England, as well as people of all other religious bodies, so well and highly respected are they wherever they are known. It is customary generally for the parishioners to entertain the reverend gentlemen on their arrival from the East Coast; but on the occasion of the recent visit of the Archdeacon, a change was made, and the reverend gentleman preached and was entertained in Kumara on his departure from the West Coast homeward j this was on Sunday and Monday last. On Sunday the Archdeacon preached, as we have previously noted, four times, in the morning at Holy Trinity Church, in the afternoon at Stafford aud Goldsborough, and in the evening at Kumara again, delivering a very eloquent and impressive discourse to a crowded congregation. On Monday evening a reception was given to the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, the ladies connected with Holy Trinity Church providing tea and refreshments. There were five large tables, loaded with sandwiches, cakes, &c, beautiful bouquets of flowers adorning each. The following ladies gave or assisted at the various tables :—"No. 1, Mesdames John Davidson, Gow, and Heffernan; 2, Mesdames Win. Davidson and Evenden, and the Misses Griffiths and Evenden ; 3, Mrs Crump, and the Misses Pollard, Nicholson, and Howe; -A, Miss Patter, son, and Mesdames Gibson, Yortt, aud Metcalfe; 5, Mesdames Hobbs and Rugg, and the Misses Ward, Rugg, and Stenhouse. The Ven. Archdeacon, accompanied sometimes by the Rev. R. Heffernan, busied himself in renewing acquaintance with old faces, and the meeting seemed to be enjoyed by everyone.

After tea the tables were removed and several ladies and geiitlemen favoured the company with songs, recitations, or pianoforte music, viz., Mrs Spyer, the Misses Howe, Griffiths, Ingall, and Even Jen, and Messrs G. Morris, Davidson, and lienham ; after which the Archdeacon gave an interesting address, with words of comfort, consolation or advice, which were received with favour, and the siuging of the National Anthem brought the interesting proceedings to a close.