WELCOME HOME.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 276, 21 February 1929, Page 2

WELCOME HOME.

REV. AND MRS. BRABYN. A welcome home and kitchen evening was tendered to Rev. and Mrs. W. T. Brabyn at Tirau last week in the Public Hall. Visitors came from all the surroundmg districts and also from Matangi and Eureka. The hall was crowded, every seat being occupied. The stage was beautifully decorated with flowers and ferns, and from the centre hung a beautiful wedding bell. The main part of the hall was decorated with streamers hung from a hoop in the centre. Great credit is due to the members . of the Ladies’ Guild for the beautiful appearance of the hall.

The proceedings opened with the presentation by little Dorothy Amoore of a beautiful bouquet of flowers to the bride, Mrs. Brabyn. The chairman, Rev. A. C. Hampton, moderator, Matamata, spoke at length of the high esteem in which Rev. Brabyn was held in the district not only by his own church followers but by the whole community. The speaker extended a warm welcome to Mrs. Brabyn and felt sure that the people would make her as welcome as her popular husband. Tirau and the circuit were extremely lucky in having Rev. Brabyn among them. On behalf of his church and those present he wished the couple the best of health and happiness in their new sphere of life.

The following enjoyable programme was submitted : Community singing, “ Old Kentucky Home ” ; recitation, Miss Jamieson ; item by Rev. Martin (Matangi); song, Miss Watson ; recitation, Mr. Hirst ; song, Mr. Brown (Putaruru); song, Mrs. Cocoran. A presentation of a handsome clock on behalf of the congregation of the Presbyterian Church was then made by Mr. J. W. Amoore, who in a few well - chosen words welcomed the bride and bridegroom home. On behalf of the Ladies’ Guild Mrs. A. Stewart presented an oak dinner waggon, and on behalf of the public in general Mr. Hirst (postmaster) welcomed the bride to the kitchen evening. The chairman read apologies for absence from Rev. Ashworth (Putaruru), Rev. Wareing (Anglican vicar), Kihi Kihi Ladies’ Guild. The first part of the evening was brought to a close when Rev. Brabyn rose to reply and thanked his friends on behalf of his wife and self. Mrs. Brabyn, in a very neat and sincere speech, also thanked her new friends, remarking that the Manse door would always be open and a nearty welcome awaited one and ail.

After supper had been served the hall was cleared for dancing and young and old thoroughly enjoyed two hours’ dancing to the music supplied by Mrs. Bishop and Messrs. Bragg and Crabb. Mrs. A. Stewart niayed an extra. The duties of M.C. were carried out hv Mr. O. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Brabyn were also the recipients of many gifts from other parts of the parish. At Waotu, Mr. Shute, after referring to the cordial relations between Mr. Brabyn and the people, presented them, on behalf of the Waotu congregation, with a substantial cheque and wished them long life and happiness. A largely attended social gathering was also held at Arapuni, when Mr. G. W. Nelson cordially welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Brabyn to the congregation. Miss Bessie Knowles presented Mrs. Brabyn with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and Mr. Anderson, in a very happy speech, presented them with a beautiful fruit bowl, nut-crackers and tinted box made out of the timber from the submerged forest, a most unique gift, for which both Mr. and Mrs. Brabyn feelingly returned thanks. Musical items were given by Mrs. Jones, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Dunstan and a most enj >yable evening concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne: At Putaruru last Thursday a large social gathering was held in the Presbyterian Hall, ar.d Mr. Benton extended a warm welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Brabyn and trusted that they would long be spared to labour in the district. Mr. and Mrs. Brabyn both returned thanks for the cordial welcome and for the substantial cheque that had been previously presented. Community singing followed, and special items were given by Messrs. Oates, Gawith and Brown, all of which were encored. Abundance of refreshments were supplied by the ladies and concluded a very happy