VALEDICTORY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3445, 26 March 1920, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

FAREWELL TO REV. W. H.

HOCKINGM

Occasion was taken of the sale of harvest festival produce :1: the Methodist Church last evening to say goodbye to the Rev. W. H. Hocking, who, after two years as minister in charge of the Tuihape circuit, is leaving to take over the Roxburgh s circuit in Central Otago. There was a good attendance of members of the church and friends.

Mr J. R. Cunninghame, senior circuit steward of the church, occupied the chair, and in well-chosen words culogised the work of the guest of the evening and voiced the regret of the congregation at his departure. He said that Mr Hocking had undoubtedly found the Taihape circuit to be a difficult. one, but he could beassured that though perhaps the fruit. of his labour were not as manifest ashe would desire them to be, his preaching and efforts had been helpful to those who had attended his ministry. He had endeared himself"t«o the hearts of the people, and could be assured of their genuine sorrow at his leaving them, and of their best wishes for great success in his new sphere. Mr Darvill feelingly referred on behalf of himself and the Sunday school to the esteem in which their departing minister was held. His term had been a. peculiar one of difiiculty, and of the trials of much loss and sorrow, and he could be assured that in those: times of trial and loss that had come to the homes of the people his. work and ministry Shad ‘been helpful and blessed.

The Rev. T_ C. Loan (Presbyterian Minister) added 11. few words to the expression of regret at Mr Hocking’s departure. He had found him a true brother in their common Work, and ever ready to co-operate in the "interests of the Kingdom of God. He con--gratulated him on his success in his: final e:~:aminai‘i‘olls., and ‘wished. him much success in his new spheres in the‘ South.

Mr Hocking was then called upon by the Chairman to accept a handsome volume of Milton poeficul works‘ and a leather travelling case, suitably initialled, from his Taihape congregation. *

On rising to accept these, Mr Hocking prefaced his word of thanks by" saying he would like the fuller oppor; tunity of saying his farewell on Sun-_; day evening next_ He wished t.o thank them for the kind words spoken that evening, and for the tangible evidence of appreciation of his work. Someof the speakers suggested he had found’ the work in Taih:;::~-:~e in many ways: difficult, but yet he believed an ample compensation for any difiiculties, en-« countered he had reeeivedin. a disciplined soul, and :1. nenlarged vision. He would ever cherish 3 kindly regard for‘ Taihape and through the yezirs of his‘ ministry here he had made fr'ieildshi;is he would -ever revere. He bespoke for his successor the hearty co-operation’ and earnest. prayers of the congregation and trusted that their eo-opera-tive labours, Divinely blessed, Would’ =.'osult in the prosperity of the church. During the evening solos were ren< Il€l'(‘(l by l\li.<ses Broderick and Galloway and 3. recitation by the Rev. J. C. ‘Loan. "At. the conclusion the ladies‘ of the eollgl'eg:ltion dispensed supper...