DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 595, 24 December 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PAPAKURA.

A vacancy on the Papakura Town Board is announced, Dr. A. VV. P. Brookfield having resigned. Notice re unpaid rates is advertised.

TUAKAU.

FAREWELL TO REV. L. AND

MISS FOULKES,

(Own Reporter)

The esteem in which Rev. L. Foulkes, vicar of St. John's Church, Tuakau, was held by the people of Tuakau, was amply on Tuesday evening, when a valedictory function was tendered the vicar and Miss Foulkes in the Tuakau Public Hall. There was an attendance of about 250 of all denominations, including Rev. Father O'Brien, of the Roman Catholic Church, and Rev. E. Nichol, of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. F. Lawson,, church-warden of St. John's Church, presided. Rev. Foulkes has been in charge of the Tuakau parish for the last five years, and has accepted ji position as vicar to the St. Hclier's Baychurch.

The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion with bunting. Proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem, after which dancing and various games for adults and the children were indulged in.

During an interval, Mr. F. Lawson, on behalf of St. John's parishioners, presented Mr Foulkes with a substantial cheque as a mark of the esteem in which he was held, and in recognition of his faithful services. In so doing, Mr. Lawson said that Mr. Foulkes had not only made his mark as a citizen, but as a humanitarian. H 3 was never wanting when his presence was required. Tuakau's loss would be St. Heliers Bay's gain. Mr. Foulkes had had a very severe parish, and had a considerable amount of travelling to way-back places, namely, Woodleigh, Glenmurray, and it was only the arduous duties which made the guest of the evening relinquish his position in Tuakau. In point of seniority, Mr. Lawson asked Father O'Brien to speak. Rev. Father O'Brien said it afforded him the greatest pleasure to be present that evening to assist in according a fitting farewell to his friend, Rev. Foulkes. The latter, he said, had (Reared himself to all during his stay in Tuakau, no matter what creed or class. He proved himself to be an able and energetic clergyman, who had never spared himself, but who spent himself for the benefit of the parish as a whole. The change meant promotion for Mr. Foulkes, and on behalf of his congregation he wished Rev. and Miss Foulkes long life and happiness.

S Rev. E. Nichol said he spoke with mingled feelings. On one hand they hud gathered with regret to bid farewell to Mr. Foulkes, but on the other they met with pleasure, because Mr. Foulkes was receiving promotion. He was voicing the sentiments of his own and fellow Presbyterians when hy said they regretted Mr. Foulkes was leaving them. He and the ?ucsl oi the evening worked famously together, and he had seen some of the ■finest characteristics in Mr, Foulkes, and he trusted he would not have a belter man to work with than he. They were all sorry to lose Miss Foulkes, as she was always ■willing to assist at functions. He wished both happiness in their future sphere. "*nd hoped that life's greatest blessings would ground their labours in their new district.

■ Mr. Lawson then presented Mi-. Fculkes with a substantial cheque. (Loud applause.) Rev. Foulkes, on rising to reply, was greeted with applause. He said he was exceptionally pleased to see all classes present. He had come to Tuakau to do his very utmost for all mankind. England expected every man to do his duty, and he had tried to do his. He only wished he was worthy of the remarks uttered by previous speakers. During his five vears in Tuakau, he had never had an unpleasant word with anyone in the parish, and he could look back over his 20 years of ministry and could say the same. He was' pleased his parishioners were satisfied with his efforts, and he assured thm he would strive to do the same at S-t. Heliers Bay. He hoped St. John's would go ahead. Last year was a record, and He trusted the next year would be ever so more successful. He thanked them sincerely for the substantial present. (Applause.) The Citizen's Appreciation.

On behalf of the citizens of Tuakau, Mr. Dynes Fulton, chairman of ■*t £ uakau own Board, presented Mr. Foulkes with a handsome solid leather travelling bag as a token of the esteem in which he was held. Mr Fulton endorsed the remarks of previous speakers, and eulogised the work accomplished by the reverend gentleman during the influenza epidemic. When they were preparing to combat the spread of the malady, Mr Foulkes came along, and he could say without fear of contradiction, that no one did more for the suffering than Mi'. Foulkes and Mr. W. Graham. They gave the whole of their time in the Church and in the hali, which were used as hospitals. Mr Foulkes did his duty nobly until he was laid low with the disease. In cases of sickness, no matter what sect, Mr. Foulkes would visit them. He was a man of sterling character, and liked by all. The gathering spoke for itself. Mr. Foulkes had done a great deal for Tuakau, in fact more work than any other man during his live years' term. He tnen presented the bag as a token of the esteem in which he was held by the people of Tuakau, and whenever he was travelling it would remind him of his many friends in the little place. (Applause.) Rev. Foulkes, in reply, said th.?t he had only tried to do his little bit during the influenza epidemic. He could pick out a large number of ladies in the hall who rendered yeoman service during the epidemic, and whose work was valuable. If any thanks were due to him, others were deserving of more. He would always be ready to do the same work if the occasion aruso. lie thankecl them for the handsome presents. Cheers were then given for Rev. and Miss Foulkes.

During the evening vocal i tenia were rendered by Misses Foulkes and Learning, Mesdames L. B. Tapper, Vaughan, Messrs. J. Roger, H. Peat, a violin solo by Mr. P. M. Kepple, and a pianoforte solo by Mr. Irving. The accompaniments were played by Miss Dickens and Mrs. Keppel. Dance music was provided by Miss M. Gerap.htv, Miss Dickens and Mr. A. H. Tapper. The singing of the National Anthem brought a most successful function to a closu.

Glenmu,rr«y Function,

Oil Saturday, December 11, the Glenmurray people met Mr. Foulkes, and on their behalf Mr. E. 11. Sorby presented Mr Foulkes with a roll of notes.

An Oncwhero Send-off.

At Onewliero on Saturday last Mr. Foulkes was presented with a cheque by Mr. Chas Walker on behalf of the congregation.