ORGANIST FOR 48 YEARS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 8

ORGANIST FOR 48 YEARS.

PRESENTATION TO MR H. S PORTEOUS.

The remarkable period of 48 years’ [ service as organist at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Terrace End, was closed recently by the retirement of Air H. S, Porteous, and on (Saturday even-, ing parishioners and frauds entertained both Mr and Airs Porteous at a social function in the church hall, when tributes were paid to his devoted work and a presentation was made. There was a large attendance, the the vicar (Rev. I<. S. Ramson) presiding and welcoming the gathering which included the Mayor and Mayoress (Air and Airs A. E. Alansford). I In presenting Air Porteous with a! radio and a sum of money from the parishioners. Air Ramson extended their thanks fdr services loyally and freely given for nearly half a century. Air Porteous was not only loml of music, he was also a devoted churchman, and they would remember with gratitude the splendid work lie had done for the Church, as organistand socially. The parishioners trusted that both Air and Airs Porteous would have many hours of enjoyment around the fireside on “tuning in.” The Alavor, who expressed his and Airs Alansiord’s pleasure at being present to do honour to Air Porteous, said that in the earlier years their guest had only a small organ, for the church services, but later they lyere able to provide a pipe organ. As a lornier vestryman of St. Peter’s Church Mr Mansford recalled how Mr Porteous had contributed the music at church socials. He had actually been a church organist for 56 years, having spent eight years at Collingwood before coming to Palmerston North, and they could say to ATr Porteous “A\ ell done tliou good and faithful servant. Alessrs G. G. Priest and C. R. Ro bo th am (former choirmasters) and Air A. Charles (present occupant of the office) also spoke in appreciation of Air Porteous’s services. In the course of a brief reply Mr Porteous spoke of his love oi music, which had been his life’s hobby. It had manifested itself when he was a boy in the Isle of Wight and on coining to New Zealand lie 1 had found great pleasure in his work as organist, first at Collingwood and then at St. Peter’s. He spoke of- the music at the services after the building of the 'church and of the advancement when the pipe organ was build in 1916. On behalf of Mrs Porteous and himself lie thanked the parishioners, for their kindness. . . Items were given by Alesdames Charles mid AlcPherson (pianoforte duets). Ali'-'s Williams (sonus). Air and Mrs C. R. Robotham (duets), Air Charles (songs), and Airs AlcPherson fsongs). The daughter of Air and Mrs Charles presented Airs Porteous, Airs Ramson anrl Airs Mansford wife bouquets and Air Porteous with a buttonI hole.