VALEDICTORY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 19 April 1919, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

farewell to rev. hedley WHITE. ()u Wednesday night last a goodly ntimber of friends assembled at the Otaki Methodist Church to bid farewell to their pastor; the ltcv. Hedley White, who, as a result of a turn ju the itinerant wheel of the Methodist Church, 'is' about to move on to take charge of the Taumarunui Rural Mission. Mr White has proved a popular minister, and has done excellent work throughout the district, and a feeling of genera! regret is expressed at his departure, which will mean a distinct loss to the church, the town, and tee district.

Bluing the evening a number of ovef ■ peecucs were made, all most complimentary to Mr White. i Mr G. W. Kirk, speakiijg on behalf of the To congregation, and as ono of the circuit stewards, spoke of Mr White's unfailing good temper, * net- f mn css, and loyal devotion tc his fixity. Personally, said Mr Kirk, he would miss Mr White very much indeed, and this feeing, ho believed, was shared by residents of all parts of the circuit. Mr Kirk said Mr White xvould take with him the best wishes of every member of the community.

• Mr Harold Cockrell, as a representative of- Sunday schools, referred to the fact that Rev. White had put- himself

out on many occasions to assist in Sunday school work, even on days when he had three and four other services to conducts Mr White had always shown sympathy with the children, and_ his efforts had- been much appreciated by vounj; and old. Mr E. Macdonald, of Te Horo, speaking as ail outsider, and ouc who was not a churchgoer, said lie had found in Mi White one who took a keen interest in human welfare. He was ono of the broadest men he had met with, and it had been a privilege to work with him in the reefcnt Prohibition campaign. Speaking of the campaign, Mr Macdonald said no true manly effort was over a failure, and this applied to the recent poll—their efforts had not been in vain, though they had not gained a victory' Mr Macdonald said lie esteemed it a privilege to have the opportunity of attending that night’s function, to do honour to a xvorthy man. Mr Byron Brown (chairman of the Town Board) said ho was.present that night to do honour to a man who had been a faithful and hardworking minister and a valuable member of the community, who xvould bo much missed. He referred to the recent epidemic, and said-that, from his position at the-head of affairs, he had had opportunity 'of seeing the splendid self -.sacrificing work done by Mr AVhite, xvho had not appeared in the limelight, but hail in a manly way done true Christian service. Hieic ivas not a man or woman in the district xvho had done better xvork than the Rex-. White at that time, and for that reason alone he xras glad to add a tribute to the guest of the evening. Mr Frank Penn (circuit steward), xvho occupied the chair,'said Mr AVhite xxus leaving Otaki at his own xvish, and all were very sorry that he xx-as not staying for a further term. Mr AVhite xvas :l n°all round minister, as every Methodist minister should be. He xvas an excellent preacher, a good pastor, a capital organiser, had kept the business affairs oi: the circuit\xvcll under control, and had also proved a good citizen. Ho was a man who never spared himself, and always placed himself last. He xx-as a Trojan for xvork.- As a church builder Mr AVhite had acquired a reputation. owing to magnificent services rendered in connection xvith the Paekakarilci and Manakau churckes. Mr AVhite xvas also a good “sport,’ am was popular on the tennis courts and in the “gym.” Mr Penn referred to Mr AA’hitc’s appointment to Taumirfunui as a most important one, as he xvould there have supervision’of a very large area of the King Country—Taumarunui Rural Mission—and doubtless xvould make his mark there. After eulogising Air White’s services, Mr Penn, on behalf of the friends in Otaki and other parts of the district, then presented Mr AVhite xvith an English,watch, suitably inscribed, a gold-mounted fountain pen, and a cheque; also to Mrs White a travelling rug. Mr Penn mentioned that there had been no canvassing for the presentation, and all donations had been voluntary, quite a number of people not connected xvith the Methodist Church contributing towards the presentations. Mr Penn Tead a letter lieMmd received from an outsider, as showiiigxhoxv popular Mr AVhite had been xvith all classes.

Rev. Mr AVhite, in reply, said he did not feel altogether satisfied with his work, xvkiek had been done in spite of opposing circumstances, as war years were not conducive to good church xvork. and the epidemic had not been a help, as some had anticipated it xvould be. As regarded the licensing question, a Prohibition fight xx-as to a Methodist minister something like a dog-fight' to a boy; he could not keep out'of it. Mr AVhite thanked all the speakers for the kind words tkey had said, but nfuch of the praise bestowed ■ upon him was not, deserved. He took this opportunity of heartily thanking ■ill for the way in .which he and Mrs While had-been received in Otaki and district, the many kindnesses skewered upon them, and the loyal way in which ■‘he friends had supported them. He rejoiced in having been able to oo even .1 little in the Clmrclr’s name He speexuitv thanked Messrs and Brown, as outsiders, for their words o cheer, which were fully -f 1 lfC J K and ’ sincerely fhanked" all fox ihcu Menerous-presentations. ' During the evening songs were sung by Janet Smith and Marjorie Penn. Messrs .T. Crawford'and I. lean. P per was served: and much enjoyed, and a very successful gathering was brough. to a close by the singing of the Dox ology and ‘.‘God be with you till wc mfct again.”