Last Night's Social.

Manawatu Herald, 15 May 1900, Page 2

Last Night's Social.

The welcome tendered by the parish? ioners of this district to the RevvHugh , and Mrs Leach on their return *fctijs* " their honeymoon .was one of the iijtilf ; satisfactory functions of a similar nature that has ever been < held r 4n Foxton. The large schoolroom was , packed, and the lobby and anteroom . was filled with people. The proceedings were of a miscellaneous character, some music proceeding and succeeding the more important portion oi the programme, which was to give an opportunity tp certain speakers to record on bejiujTof those they ' represented, , the f&X&g entertained towards Mr Leaeb, and to wish both him and Mrs Leach long life and happiness. Also tb afford an opportunity of presenting tfae Vkaor with something mote retaftmHaf Utto words.

Mr W. S. Stewart, the Vicar's Churohwarden, presented to him & purse of sovereigns, a small tribute from the parishioners of this towo^ and in a few words conveyed the" ' good wishes of the donors. . * - ■'■

Miss Pearl Fraser, attended by many little girls, brought unto Mr Leach portions of a tea service, subscribed ..„■ for by the children of the Sunday School. ...'■■' ; '

Mr W. B. Rhodes advanced towards Mr Leach and presented him with a butter-dish, the gift of Mr IMSS* Bowe on behalf of the Roman Catholics of Moutoa. ' S*§?s Mr Alf. Fraser, as senior Lay Read6f£ offered words of welcome on behalf df r the church officers and parishioners. Mr Thynne, as the oldest church

member present, also spoke words of welcome to the bride and bridegroom on behalf of the parishioners, and assured Mrs Leach that it would be their aim to make, her stay in Foxton as happyrand as pleasant as possible. The Rev. Mr McNickle as co-worker with the Vicar offered his best wishes.

It is needless to say that the hearty and kind words of all the speakers were warmly applauded, and showed that the large gathering were in full accord with tbe expressions used,

Mr W. S. Stewart begged to Apologise on behalf g>f the absence of the Rev. Tames Duncan and the Rev. W. Woollass, who were unable to be present, but they seat their best wishes on the occassion. / The Rev. Hus^n Leach thanked everyone Jfor what/ they had said and he trusted he v/ould be spared and permitted to atf. up to the opinion expressed of ljirfh. He recalled a statement miiAt by a well-know clergymar who b/ad asked his congregation thoojgh he knew they loved him, to tell •'him that they loved him, and he (the speaker) knew before they had loved him but that night they had really told him so. He thanked all for the presents they had received (amongst which he mentioned two easy chairs and a spirit kettle from the Ladies Guild) Mr Leach made a capital and feeling speech and hoped the members of the Church would rally round him when he felt confident that we could have not only one of the best appointed churches but one of the heartiest services in the district.

Mr Leach had on the platform for the inspection of those present a handsome altar cloth and screen for read-ing-desk and two pairs of brass vases, which had been brought from Home by Mrs Leach, and were the gifts from friends of the church in England.

During the evening the following items were rendered :— Duet, " T want the Moon," Miss Collins and Master Harold Collins; song. "The British Lion," Mr W. H. K. Hickson ; pianoforte selection, " Le Jet D'Eau," Miss Ida Robinson; song, "Love's Own §weet Song," encore " Life's Lullaby," Rev. Mr Leach ; " Cradle Song," encore " Rhoda and Her Pagoda," Miss Collins; quartette, "The Harp that once through Tara's Halls," Mesdames J. Symons and Cook, Messrs Hickson and Cook, (encore;) song, "The Longshoreman," Mr W. Cook. The ladies provided tea, coffee, and a host of excellent cakes and sweets, which were doqe foil justice to. Tte room was prettily decorated with chrysanthemums, flax and toi, and was well lighted. . . .. The Rev. Mr Leach and his bride will understand that this was a record meeting as the room was packed with only parishioners, members of the other denominations having been, reluctantly, shut out, owing to the size of the bQHding. It. is pleasant that it was so filled, and was thus an unsought public tribute to the esteem the reverend gentleman is held in, and a nice compliment to the lady who has cast in her iQt with him. We desire to re-echo the sentiments expressed by all the speakers that long life, peace, prosperity and all happiness may be the lot of the Rev. Hugo and Mrs Leach.