The Coast Mission.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 145, 23 June 1904, Page 2

The Coast Mission.

KAHOTU'S FAREWELL TO ItKV. J. 11. WHITE. (From a Correspondent..) A social was held in the Public Hall. Hahotti. on Friday night, 17th insl., for tiii? purpose of. bidding "good-bye" lo Hew John 11. While and his family. That tin; the ball should have been Idled on such a lotig'h, dark night by people of all classes and creeds, many of whom bad to return long distance*! on lead roads near midnight speaks volumes for Mr White's popularity, and the respect in which be is held in the district where he has been resident. The Rev. .J. N. Buttle, of New Plymouth, presided. The proceedings were opened by the singing of the "Old Hundredth," and pruver wus offered by the Hew W. 11. Marten, of Opunake. A piano duet, was played by Mr and Mrs Harold T. White. The chairman apologised for tbe absence of Row F. W. Young, and rend a telegram from Father Cognel wish ing tiod-speed to the guest of the evening.

Uev. Buttle, in his opening remarks, said they were met to say "good-bye" to Mr and Mrs White, Mrs Weils,-mid Mr Harold White. He thought they had reached un important point in the work of the Coast. Alission, the work which Mr White had done with such steady persistency, and with a broad-mind-ed catholicity of spirit that was deserving ol nil praise. Though a Methodist to the back-bone he had been u friend of all uml the enemy ol' none. There had been many dis-

couragements, one of which was the interference with regular public worship caused by the climate of the district. Mr Buttle ulso referred to the good work which Mrs White had done in her q'uiet way, and also to the valuable services of Miss White and Mr Harold White, and expressed the regret that was felt that MiArnold Wells should ut the same time be leaving the district. He concluded by staling that when Mr White commenced his work on the coast he found n new community with no churches; now there were four neat churches suitable in everv particular for the purposes for which they had been erected. The song "Charity" was next pleasingly rendered by Mrs Wright, after which Hev. W. IV MarUm gave a short address. He said lie had not long known Mr White, personally,but hud been interested in what he had reud of his work at different times in the "Outlook," and since he had been at Opunuke he had found how populur Mr White was in that district. Ueferring to attendance at church, the speaker said it was noticeable that Sunday rains were the wettest in the week. He emphasized the dillicultir of conducting services where the enthusiasm of numbers was lacking. 110 urged.the people to remember Mr White when he was gone, to pray for him, and to prove their sympathy with his successor. Air Samuel then sang a solo In such a manner that the audicace would not be satisfied without an encore.

Hew It. F, Williams said ho was pleased to sou the percentage of young men present. He had hoard of Mr White on every hand, and envied his record for the past eight years. Miss Symons (a little girl) pleased Hie audience by her rendering' of a solo. Mr ,1. Asher referred to his visit nearly nine years before, previous to the establishment of the mission. The more he had known Mr White the better ho had liked him. A largerhearted man, though only little in stature, could not bo found. Not only had a great deal of good been done, but a groat deal of evil prevented. A violin solo by Mrs Gilmour was followed by .selections on the grumaphonu by Mr Groonie. Mr George, of Tatnraimttka, said he had only known their deporting brother about two years, but had learned tki love him. Willi that smile upon his features he had conic into their house, unci his love had brought out llin love of botu old and young. One of the children had asked, '•'Why are they taking Mr White awaj ? Why don't they tako someone else away ?" A recitation was given by Mr Wilcox and another song by Mrs Wright. Mr Guy, of Opunake, in a very nice speech took off the remarks of previous speakers anent the weather down the coast. He thought there must be donahs amongst them, lie said, "Friend While is just, going away, and serve him rigid. (Laughter.) There is no man respects Mr White more than I do. lie lias done well here, but God has got something else for him to do. I trust he will get a better place, an easier district, and one where Hie work of God will prosper yet more in his hands."

Mr Stonex gave a very satisfactory rendering of "True Till Death." Mr Ilughson in a felicitous speech referred to his knowledge of the coast '2l years ago, its dearth of religious services, 'atml the various efforts of himself and other settlers at Okato to get them established, his references to the memorv of the late Rev. Brown of the Church of F'.ngiund being well received. Mr Ilughson said that many had left the district who had received blessing under Mr White's) ministry. lie hail not been only a preacher, but a man among men. Everyone knew his step. There was not a young man who would haw done the work he had done. Honiun Catholics, members of the Church of England, and the Salvation Army all joined in words of praise to Mr White. Mrs White had also done a noble work. Very few would have agreed, as she had done, to her family and husband going out faithfully to their work. Mrs Wells' work had been spoken of at Ngariki Road. He was also losing a good friend in Mr Arnold Wells' departure. Mr Hughson then made tho following presentations on behalf of the friends at Hanoiu unci Piingarehu and districts. To Mr White a purse of sovereigns, a Glads-tone bag, and a dressing-case ; to Mrs White, an "easiest chair In the world ;'■' and to Mrs A. Wells (nee Miss White), n silver tea-service. A letter of appreciation was received from Mr Hirst, enclosing a cheipie from a few of tho friends in tho Opunaku district, where Mr White had taken occasional services. Rev. John 11. White was heartily received on risitVg to reply. He said he, could bear bad weather or hard knocks, but kindness like this overwhelmed him. It also humbled him. If a man lived for (!od he must live for his brother. He wished to thank them for their kindness, but he was most touched of all by their wolds about Mrs While. What there was of good in him he owed first of all to Cod, next to a godly mother, and next and longest to a godly wife. He had never coveted thrir silver or their gold. His own superintendent had advised him not to come down there, but ho had taken the risks. 110 had had the stuhiborness of hope in him. One day every Christian worker would bo on the winning side. Great Britain held the position she occupied to-day because our fathers prayed. He did not want his children and grandchildren to live in a worse land, but a 'better. If men loved their country let them love their Clod. In conclusion, ho urged their sympathy and co-ope-ration with his successor, Refreshments wore servid bv the ladies at the close, and so ' ninny wanted a last hand-shako and a parting word that it was approaching midnight before the hall was cleared,