POPULAR VICAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 344, 3 May 1928, Page 11

POPULAR VICAR

FAREWELL TO REV. FRANK HARTY HOPES TO COME BACK (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, To-day. Disaffection and unrest may be present in the \A/aikato diocese, but so far as the Rev. Frank Harty is • concerned, the parishioners of St. George’s Church, Frankton Junction, have nothing but affection and esteem for their vicar. Mr. Harty has resigned after eight years m the district. Last Sunday, when he> conducted his final services, was a red-letter day for the church. It was estimated that 900 people attended during the day, the congregation in the evening of 450 listening to his last sermon, “The Unknown Future.” On Tuesday there was further striking evidence of his popularity, when at a social in his honour the hall was crowded. On behalf of the parishioners, Mr. B. C. Lowry presented Mr. Rariy with a wallet and cheque. Mrs. H. J. Beeche, president of the Hamilton branch of the Protestant Mothers’ Union, read a valedictory address expressing the genuine regret at Mr. Harty’s departure. Mrs. Beeche also spoke highly of Mrs. Harty, whose bright and cheerful presence had been greatly missed since she left for America last year. PRESENTATIONS MADE

Several presentations were made. A gold-mounted inscribed fountain pen was given to Mr. Harty as a gift from the Ladies’ Guild, and the Young People’s Senior Club, represented by Mr. Steuart Buckland, presented him with a pair of gold sleevelinks. On behalf of his wife Mr. Harty accepted a string of pearls from the Mothers’ Union, and the Bible Class recorded its appreciation with serviette rings. REASONS CANNOT BE GIVEN

Mr. Harty was greeted with cheers when he rose to reply. He said: “I don’t know whether you are aware of it, but you make it very hard for me to say anything to-night, because I know everyone is wondering why I am going. Unfortunately I am not in a position to state in detail the many reasons which have prompted my decision. Your presence here to-night and the way my last Sunday was spent makes me feel that in spite of many complexities I am doing something for the best.”

Mr. Harty stated that it would be easy for him to enumerate the reasons for his departure, but it would serve no useful purpose. It was considered a simple thing for a parson to “spout” something, but it had never been easy for him. He had to be wary in his speech lest he betrayed too much. NO HAREM-SCAREM DECISION Mr. Harty said his decision to leave had been the result of much prayer, consideration and thought. It was no harem-scarem decision. In Frankton the people had covered him with the mantle of their generosity. “I want to disperse any opinions that I am going away for a change,” he added. “It is not wise to prophesy, but I do hope I will be able to come back to this country, even to this place and see you all again.” Mr. Harty thanked all the various branches of the church for their kind tokens. It would be very comforting in London, where he was practically unknown, to look back and revive memories of the past eight years.