FAREWELL TO MR J. STRAUCHON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 64, 8 March 1902, Page 2

FAREWELL TO MR J. STRAUCHON.

i CiiEiiU wiw a good attendance at St. Andrews Hall last night to farewell Mr J. Ssrauohon and his family, who are leaving for Wellington. The gathering took the form of a social evening, being opened with the singing of " ali people that on earth do dwell," and a word of prayer by the Bev S. } Osborne. This was followed by a - capitslly rendered anthem by the choir. The teats were scattered all b over the mom, and people moved » about at will. Mr and Mrs Strauchou ■ and Mis; Strauchon were present, also ! Mr, Mrs and Mies McKenzie, Mr . Strauchon's successor. Mr Ford Bang I •' The Boers have got my daddy," Mis« ' McDiarmid following wi h '■ Svvee Chiming Bells," which was very i sweetly sang. Mis l ! Nixon aud Mrs i Hall then g»v> " Life's Dream is O'er," : in a mannei- which left no'.hing to bidesired. Mr Ford tben sang very effectually "Sing wo a smg of the south." The concluding item by Minn Nixon and Mrs Bacon being " Will you not come back again." Rev, S. Osborne ihen mounted thett«ge,andin referring to the object of the gathering, said they i were all extremely sirty to lose M<Straucbon, who had rendered extrnnlr valuable service toS>. Andreas Church. To hirasilf, he hail be n a nource of strength ai a counsellor and adviser. The cbaoge was one which was bcunrl 'o coma when a man did his du'y faithfully and Wrll, sooner or Liter the command was bound to come to go up higher. Of Mrs Strauchon he in us", say she had set an example .by the way she h«d ordered ! her home and the cire of h«r chil fren. It was very gratifying to kn <w hi' the change would be a gaiu o the whole family as the advantages educationally and otherwise in a city like Wellington were very gwat, They all wished Mi*. Strauchon and his family every blessing and tappines* this world could afl'ord. He was glad also f o see amongat them Mr. and MrMcKenzie, Mr. Strauehon's aucewsn, aiid to fxteud to them a li at ty welcome. In succeeding such a man as Mr. Strauchon Mr. McKenz'e h..d a hard task. He c<mo heie however with the respect at>d goodw< luf • lie people of Wellington an.i he ha i nc doubt buttlvit he would p-ovoa wo, thy successor to Mr. Strauch-n. A fihoit *ddress had b-en preu<ii\d for Mr. Strauchon which he w»uld c ill upon. Mr. Doile, the secretary < f th,.« ohurcb, to read. The uddr ss was as h Hows : New Plymouth, March, 1902. John StifluchoD, Erq. Dear Sir. We the members and adherent* of St, Andrew's Ohurch desire to convey to you our appreciation of you and of the services which you have rendered tithe congregation dmiug your nsidence in New Plymouth. For the past eight years you have b3en a member uf the committee of macngrmontdischarging at all times the duties of the position with good judgment and fidelity. Your wise counsel and willing help will be much mivsed by up, While rejoining in your well-merited promotion in your profession we deeply regret t!ie departure of MrsSttau.hou, yourself and family from our midst We pr.iy that you miy he Ions? t-i>nr«r to give faithful service ill the Qhurct of the Lord Jesus Christ and thai God's blessing, the blessing whicl makerh rich and uddeth no sorrow may i'Dßt upon you and jours. I ho address, which was v-uy tiste Tally writ!en and illuminated by M; J. B. 0 vims, was s jjimd by the Minis to>', the el'hr*, and tin coioroit'ee o m.inage rent. Th« addri'Si was yer piettily b :ri'e>ed wi:h thistle leave and tloasotns. ' Mr McDiirmid, on b hJf of tb alders, and Mr S.U'.doison," oi beha) of the managers, also spoke of the gre* services rendered by Mr Stau"hin an' tue lo<s be would b i to the oiiuivb. Mr Strauchon Siid he was glad b

meet co many there tint erei.ing, and was phased th it hit effur s h»d been nppre.'iited, He felt aura thoy would recpive greit assistance from his suo-cc-ssor, Mr MeKenzie, and ho hoped he would buckle to and do what he could. , The Rev. 8. (hborne said ho bad a further duty to perform, viz., to preset Miss; Nelly Straucbon with a silver dn-ssing-t ible mirror. He spoke very highly of Mi»s Strauchon's services, and sd« i h-jy would all he»rtily welcome her bick t« New Plymouth. Mr MuDiarmid, as superintendent of the Surchy School, eulogised Min Stauchun'i* services as a ttacher, and regretted her departure. Nr briefly replied on behalf of his daughter. The pies n a-ion was inscribed "To Nfllie S'auchon, from St. Andrew's Sunday School." RefruKh>i<e)<s were then banded round on a very liberal scale, and the singing of " God be with us till we m«ft again," " Auld Lang Syn«." "Oh he's a jolly goad fellow," and the National Anthem, with three cheers for Mr Strauchon, concluded the proo odings.