RETURN OF CHAPLAIN FRAER

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 8

RETURN OF CHAPLAIN FRAER

WELCOME HOME AT TUAHIWI PA " Chaplain C. A. Fraer. vicar" of ;5b Stephen’s, Tuahiwi, who .returned home by the Willoehra after, a period, of eighteen months spent on chaplain duty in Egypt and, England, was tell-doted-a welcome -banquet last, evening by the Natives of Tuahiwi att the Runnnga Hall. Prior to the welcome festivities- a short* service was held in mo church, the Rev Iff P* . l’e'ndall oiiiciatfing. , „ , .-vs the. guest'reached the hall lie uas given a ,typical Maori welcome rrom tho -pa warnues. Mr S. Reuben pr©Alter the loyal toast nad been honoured Dr J. H. Grawshaw proposed the toast of “.The Army and Navy, / jrMcli was responded to by the i'cndau and Private. Piper, a returuea soldier. , . *_ l Mr Simon Hr.dlield, speaking U>" Maori, proposed the toast “Our Guest, making special reieroueo to tho good narno won by. Chap-ain I‘racr among! tho 'New Zealanders in ihff Home hospitals for lus vara and attention to their wants. . „ , - * The toast was musically honoured, the wahines singing a special welcome Mr E. -Lord, on behalf of the Ohoka -parishioners, also- welcomed Chaplain fraer. . Mr C. Flutcy. for forty years connected with St Stephen’s Church, joined in the welcome «njJ paid a fine tribute to Mrs Fraer for her work amoCg the Maoris during the absence of hen husband. The chairman presented Chaplain Fraer with an artistic roll of honour, the gift of Tuahiwi Natives. In replying, Chaplain Fraer related many interesting incidents of his experiences among the soldiers, and gave great praise to the people of the Homeland for the kindnesses showered on • tho New Zealand and Australian soldiers. While In England he had visited their old pastor of tho early days, Canon Stack, who with Mrs Stack waa quit© delighted to learn of tho -doings at Tnahiwi in later years.. The speaker concluded by thanking those'who.him so. well taken his place during his absence. ... The Mayor of .Kaiapoi (Mr J. H. Blackwell) proposed tile toast of th« “National Government!” Several j musical items were given by the Nibtives during the evening.