VALEDICTORY GATHERING.

Shannon News, 9 May 1924, Page 3

VALEDICTORY GATHERING.

TO REV. AND MRS ABBOTT. As showing the high esteem in which file Rev. Mr aTid Mrs Abbott are held in Shannon and district die Pari still all was packed to overflowing by their many friends who had assembled to bid them farewell on tiie occasion of their leaving .Shannon to take up. -their residence at- Terrace End, to which parish the Rev.

j Mr Abbott lias been appointed' vicar, j The hall, had been nicely decorated I by the ladies’ committee -with ferns ) and chrysanthemums, 'etc., and a * most pleasant evening was spent. I The evening was devoted to dancing interspersed, with musical items, a splendid programme, being arranged, several Palmerston residents contributing numbers. Mr B. Spencer sup-' plied .the music’' for the dance, Miss E.-. Davis playing an extra. Previous to the isuppjhr adjournment, Mr A. H. Morgan, one of the. guests’ o’Jflestl friends in Shannon, said that he had been requested by those present to bid threw c*ll to the ROv, Mr and Mrs Abbott. He said that during their residence here they both had endeared themselves to the people of Shannon and district, fiy t-he.ir many good qualities and the high esteem in which they were held was borne witness* to by the presence of such a large gathering to hid them farewell. There had been many times during .the four years when tiie public had not known of the work Mr Ahhoitt had done, outside of the church work, in helping solely in cases of need, and there were lew men who- could surpass the Vicar in., ill is respect. The speaker referred to’ his association with. Mr Abbott on the cricket .field, where he had at ail times found him a “true sport.” Tiie padre as he was called on the cricket field had endeared himself to the players atid whether a man was a friend oif Ihi-s or not, lie- was still “the padre” and a good sport. He then, on behalf of the guests’ many friends, handed them a cheque Which he hoped they would make material use of and which would help to remind them of the appreciation amt warm esteem ill which, they were held. plause). The- gathering heartily sang “For they are jolly good fellows.” The Rev. Mr Abbott, on rising to reply, was foudlv applauded. He thanked Mf Morgan for it is kindly remarks and the ladies for organising their .send off. He stated, as an honest man, that he- had always tried to do .Iris. duty. He and Mrs Abbott would always have a. warm. part, in their hearts* for Shannon which was blessed .with a fine climate, wonderful soil and a splendid lot of people. He again thanked them Jor the hearty good wishes .expressed. (Applause). Opportunity was then taken by Mr Morgan and* the * Rev. Mr Abbott to introduce the Rev. and Mrs Fain ell.

A dainty supperT was then handed around and done full justice to, after which dancing was resumed.' Tiie musical portion of the programme. was contributed as follows: Songs,* Miss . Nnomii Whatley (Palmerston North), a.ud Messrs Bishop, Hunter and Stevenson (Palmerston North); duet;' Mr and Mrs Bishop; monologue, Mr H. Andrew, and recitation Mr A. McKegg (Palmerston North), Mrs G. P. Anderson and''Miss Ashwin playing the acepnipaniments. All the items were thorouglily enjoyed and helped considerably ' towards tiie success of the evening. A most pleasant, time was -brought to a. close at midnight by the singing of “Anld Lang'Syne.” _________