WHITELEY MEMORIAL CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 96, 21 April 1903, Page 2

WHITELEY MEMORIAL CHURCH.

WELCOME TO «EV. J. K. ANI) MBS. BUTTLB.

In spite of the wintry weather there was a large gathei ing at the WhiHey Hail on Monday evening to formally welcomu the Rt>v, J. K. and Mrs Buttle. " Formal "(oy the w;;y) is the steiootyped expression, but in redi'y tie ,me ting was absolutely d .Vi id of for |mali<y, 'he predominant feiture being 1 the ctrdiahty of the welcome ex'endia to Mr S:rpell'd successor. The fiissj portion of the programme consis'ei of a tea, and the task of providing for such a large company was by no means an easy one, yet it was accomplished with signal success. That the quality and variety of the delicacies collated were first-class goes without saying. The tables were ably presi led over by the following ladi< s : - Ivlra W. Ambury and Mrs H. Okay; Mrs Arnold and Miss Kumson; Mrs and Miss Uhatterion; Mieses Oannell and Holder; Mrs Hughes and MissMynott; Mrs Herbert Wbi'eaod Mrs Pikett; Mrs Morshead and Mrs McVVhinney ; Mrs Fred Okey and Mrs Heldt. Tea over, an adjournment was made to the Ohurch, wßere the tea party were reinforced by another contingent. The ch tirman for the evening was Mr Neal (circuit steward) whiLt in addition to the church officers there were present the Revs. Osborne, Cannell, F. VV. Isitt, Woollty and White. Apologies for unwoidable absence were received from Revs. Evans and Bennett,

The proceedings consisted of addresses of welcome by various speakers, whilst the Suuday Schojl children (under the cocductorship of Mr Q. H. White) repeated a number of the anniveisary hymns very tunefully. The tone of the speeches throughout betokened a hearty and sympathetic welcome, with promises of co-operation and increased energy in the cause the speakers had at heart.

The Chairman in a few words of warm welcome introduced Mr Buttle to the congrt'gition and was followed during the evening with kindly ad-drts-es by Mr Carter (as representing the Sunday School); "Father" o'it-y (ou behalf of the Trustees); Mr 6. H. White (for the local preachers); Re/. J. H. White (on behalf of the coast folk); Rev. O-sfiorne (for the Ministers Association) ; " Father " Oannell ( is an old and devoted fii«ud) and Mr Ambury (who voiced, tae ssntimeats of the choir). Tue Rev. Buttle, speaking on behalf of himself and Mrs Buttle, delivered an eirnes", impressive and inspiriog address, in which he thanked the various sections of the church for their warm expressions of welcome. The main note of his remarks was earnestness in h ; s desire to continue the good work of his predecessors—to emulate the saintly men from Whiteley and Fletcher downwards, who had from the early days laboured in the cause of Methodism in this district. His address was followed with great interest by all present, and was evidently highly appreciated. The Djxology and Benedict ioj brought a most enjoyable function to a close.