FAREWELL AND PRESENTATION TO MR & MRS ILOTT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 491, 23 July 1890, Page 2

FAREWELL AND PRESENTATION TO MR & MRS ILOTT.

On Monday evening a pleasant social gathering was l|eld in the Te Aroha Wesleyan Church for the purpose of taking leave of Mr Ilott,pf|or to his departure for Wellington. Tim following tpachers of the Sunday School : Mrs Blencowe, Misses King, L a Yeryi C, Nijpm, Burton, Messrs Cochrane and Culderwood, bad takeq upon themselves the pleasant labour of providing an fiinpic and most excellent tea to which full justice was done by a lfirge gathering qf scholars, past; nnd present, apd the teachers. At half-papt seven the public meeting was opeqed (the Church being cqmfortablyfllledby friends interested in the evenings proceedings), by the singing of a hymn, followed by a short prayer by the Chairman (Rev J. Law); at the gonclusion of which he referred in most kindly terms to MY Ilott’s long connection, extending over seven years, with the Sunday School, and the valuable services lie had rendered in connection with phurch matters generally. He was sure he expressed the wishes of hqth teachers, scholars, and all present in Saying tip# he hoped thatthe good prospects ho be)|eved awaited Air Ilott through |jis j-emoving to Wellington

might be amply realised. The first part of the evening’s programme was then carried out, consisting of addresses, solos, apd choruses, recitations, etc., in which the following took part; Mrs Blenpowe, Misses and Hirst, Mr Gophrane, and Master Harold Law.

The phairman next called on JMtise Isahella J.avery to make a presentation to Mr anil Mrs Jlott pn behalf pf the scholars belonging to fjipir classes^—the senior boys and giilssr-jn the lay School. The following n<ldrp9s wus then pead hy Miss p§very : “ AnpiiESs !pp Mb Mps Ilptt. We, the Bcholnrs of .your Bible classes, hearing with regret ting you are about to leave tl'P district, fpe! that wcciipnot allow’ yon to depart without presenting jqn with some small token of onr esteem and affection. You jpive proved yourselves both kind and faitj)l‘( 1 feachcis apij >yi)l be a great loss p (is ; (>ut >ye feel psanjed (flat you will be a great gain to pinny others, and over take an active part in S;|!>hatl> school work wherever yoqr lot in life is cast. At} you leave you take with you our best wishes, apd we all join in wishing you both God’s ohujepst blessings jn your new lioipe : —Bella Lnver.V, Lizzie Ravery, |vate ffepderson, Clara Rew, Sarah Morrison, Ethel Hirst, Prudopee M'oi'iacpi, \V, W* Majugtiy, G- peverell, 11. Law. \V. !C|per> son, N, Law, Beg. A Sinales, Arthur Deyerell,” At the conclusion of the address Mias La very presented Mf fl«d M rs Ilqtt wi|h a very handsome photograph albqm, the title page of whiolf bears the following inscription : “ Presented to. Mr John Ilott, Hpperin tepdept of the Te Wesleyap Sunday School, qqd Mf s Jlott on their leading the district, by the pndersigned scholars, ns a piark of their appreciation.’' (flare follow signatures).

Mr Ilott replied ip suitable terms, and said on behalf of liiipaelf apd Mrs Ilott, that words could not express how fully they appreciated the great kindness that had been shown to theip. He desired to tender their ipost sippeye thanks to the elder scholars for the very hapdsome presentation they had made to them, and assured the donors that it Would be highly prized, not alone fo,r its. intrinsic value, but chiefly for the sake o,f the giveis. He also thanked the teachers for the very excellent tea they Iml 30 very kindly provided, and complimented them respecting the excellent arrangements in connection therewith, ftoth Mrs Ilott and himself full very deeply the parting with the Sun lay School, w\tl\ which they had been associated for SO m a Oy years, and assured them that they did not know till then how fully it boil w°nnd itself round their hearts. He had always felt pleasure in attending the school apd assisting in connection therewith, ffe desired to thus publicly thank alf the scholars for their uniform excellent behaviour and the attention paid their teacher*, and to him, as the SuperintendonU It hud been a source of very great grafifyeption to him on many occasions to hear spgypgcy* who bad come to visit or address the School, comment on tin? good order apd attention of tire scholars. The responsibility resting upon those engaged in Supday School work was great, and yet it was a great privilege to be engaged ip apeb Work ; and he hoped and believed the gqod 9eed sown in that Sunday School would bring forth fruit abundantly, even though it were after many days. In a land like New Zealand, so highly fayopyed fp many ways, it was truly sad to fchiph that God’s YVord was excluded frqip the public schools, and he hoped ere long it would have an honoured place in every school. On behalf of Mrs Ilott he desired to state that to her it had beep a great pleasure to come Sunday after Sqpday pnd meet her class. He desired to thppk all the teachers for their hearty oq-qperqfciqn, support, and sympathy the work, gnd specially to thank their Secretary for the faithful and able manner ffi whiph the duties connected with that office had been discharged. He psked tl\e schqlqrs tq rally round their teachers, and by t-lypifr good attendance pnd attention show thpy appreciated their self-denying labours, At the conclusion of the address there was hearty applause. During the course of the evening Mr Cochrane, Mr Cplderwood, and Mrs Blencowe addressed thp meeting and spoke in warm terms of the valuable services rendered in connection with the Sunday School by both Mr and Mrs Ilott; during the last flye years Mr Ilott having filled the dual position qf Superintendent and teacher of the sepipr class pf girls. Mrs Rlpncawe also referred to the great assistance Mr Rott liqd rendered jp copnectiqp with the work of the churoh for a number of years, both by frequently conducting tfle services and also giving lfberally of his substance ; and each stated they greatly esfceeiped their friendship qnd (feeplyregretted thejr leaving the district. Further items on the programme were contributed by Misses Nixon, Allen, West, the Choir, and W. Maingay, Refreshments were then handed round nnd heartily enjoyed, and this very pleasant gather, ng brought to. a close by singing a hymn and the benediction, after which those present took hearty leave individually of Mr and Mrs Ilott, with mapy expressions of kindness and good wishes for their future happiness and prosperity. Miss G. Maingay presided at the hannooinm during the evening ip her usual efficient manner.