WAREA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8172, 3 August 1906, Page 3

WAREA.

FAREWELL TO REV. P. W. YOUNG. (Contributed.) The southern portion of (lie Okatn Parish, while regrcu.ng the loss of their respected pastor, determined lie should not leave the district without some substantial memento of (iieir appreciation of his services in the district. After uiany,nieetings and much discussion, it was resolved to invite Mr Young to an old-fashioned tea meeting •it Warea. This event rime off on Tuesday, 31st ulto., and was in evenway a most successful affair. There must have been at least two hundred people withered from all portions of the whole pirish. The lei, which was served at 7 p.m., on two tallies stretching the whole length of the hall, was a most elegant repast. All had contributed, and while separate ends were in charge of different ladies, the viands were pooled and the whole presented a most inviting appearance, and one which repeated onslaughts were unable to break up. The ladies in charge of tM tables were—No. 1, Mrs Clothier and Miss Rutherford; No. 2, Mrs Larking, Misses Clothier and Clcmcnce; No. 3, Mrs Millar and Mrs P. Putt; No. -1, Mrs and Miss Bell, with Miss Greenway. After full justice had been done to the good things, Mr W. Ilevcll, the district delegate to the Parish Committee, took the chair and a concert commenced, which, as item after item was unfolded, proved that even in outlying districts a musical treat can be provided which can vie with the efforts of more favored parts. The iirst.item was an instrumental selection by the Dockers—Mrs J. Ducker (pianol, Mr J. Ducker (elanonette), Mr A. Ducker (violin)- from "La Favounta." There is no need to emphasise the excellence of their execution. Mrs F. Binnie sang "The Valley by the Sea." Miss Blake, a lady but recently from the Old Country, gave "The Dear Homeland."

Mr Revcll briefly spoke of the object of the meeting, the saying farewell to the Rev. F. \V. Young, their pastor, who had for five years ministered amongst them, and while gaining their respect and esteem had gradually increased his popularity and the affeetion of the young people. On bebalf of the southern portion of the parish he thanked Mr Young for his services with them, which comprised not only spiritual services but every endeavour to assist the good and well being of everyone in the district. Later on he would again speak and show substantially the appreciation in which Mr Young was held. Miss Mary Wright then recited most clearly and with wonderful expression " The Widow Comisky." Mr Knight was, as nsual, in good voice and sang "Echo." Mr Leonard Bell, on behalf of the Puniho district, said nothing gave him greater pleasure than to speak of the .vay in which Mr Young had endeared himself to the ppople of the district he represented He felt uu:ible to do justice to the effect of Mr Young's work amongst the people. Spsaking as a younger Churchman, he felt under peculiar obligations to him, as whenever Mr Young had been present at any gathering, whether religious or soi-'al, the tone of that gathering was raised. He drew a picture of the welcome the fa-n'ly would receive should they on any future occasion visit the district.

Mrs Wade sang in her sweetest manner " The Lighthouse by the Sea." A duet was then given by the Misses Cassie, accompanied by the Duckers,

'• A Runaway Girl." This proved an especial treat, and received a wo'l merited encore.

Mr Jones, on the part of the I-iin-garehu people, said his short residence in the district did not allow him to speak as he felt he should of Mr Young but though their attendance al service was at times scanty, the desire for Mr Young's welfare was none the less sincere with them than in any other portion of the district. On behalf of his neighbours, he oxpressed the most cordial feelings to Mr Young and his family. The Diicker's played the overt lire 'Diamond Cross," Mi-s Blake :;a-i" '•The Gift," Mr W. Larking gave " Asleep in the Deep," Miss Cassie sang " On the Banks of the Wabash," accompanied by the Duckers', and.was encored ; W. Knight sang " The Choir Boy," Miss Rutherford " The Fairies," Mr F. Binnie "The Flight ot Ages," Mr W. Larking ■' Island of Dreims " Miss May Francis playsd the accompaniments in her usual willing and able manner.

Mr Ecvell then asked tlie Eev F. W. Young to ascend tbe platform, and said ho had much pleasure in presenting him, on behalf of Puniho, Warea, and Pungarehii, with a purse of sovereigns. Mr W. E. Wright, on behalf of Eahotu, handed Mr Young another purse, and congratulated him on going to one of the most thriving districts in the North Island, though from want of roals he would often wish he had the stones of Stony Eivcr to prepare his paths. The Rahotu people had every wish for his future welfare. Mr Elwm, on behalf of those who had left the district before Mr Young, said he did not approve as a churchman of the modern idea of shifting clergymen every five years. He liked the old-fashioned way of growing up with a pastor win christened them, then married them and baptised their children, and lit last placed them in their Ion;; home, bul. as churchmen, they had to accept the behest of the Bishop, and while regretting the loss of Mr Young, they could only remember the good he hud done, and strive to do well in remembrance of him.

Mr Young, in reply, drew attention to the magnificent gathering assembled on this occasion. He and his wife were overwhelmed with the mark of respect am! aits ction shown The way everything had been carried out spoke of the excellent arrangements before

hand. In a verv short time he would he away from Okato, but while he still remembered his iirst homo iu Taranaki, where he worked ill another vay, he would always keep the warm corner of his le-art for the lirsi district where he had had full charge as a minister. The Bishop hal arranged that the other clergy in the ilistri :t should alternately take Sunday work in the pirish until a new Mcar could he appointed. He de cnbrd «!u; he con-idered •v-)u: i he ins Wolk 111 ills lieu ho.no, p-irticiilarly dwelling on ihe pleasure he would receive on returning home a'ter his visits lo distant portions of his iiai'ish. lie showed how all Church people could help the Church in many ways, each according lo his iliiliiv, au.l hoped jwhen He came to uakei, -the sleeping ones, all present oi 1 hi-i-elf would have the heart to foi, -w ,'„. -lea hand." Cl.c-- wcv then -/ven f-r Mr Young audi,:. I ;..„;-.-; Tin pur-es lo contain a very substantial sum. Mis Clothing" «i!h Mrs .Millar and Mrs Larking, made all arrangements, which were most successful, and the day will long be remembered iu Warea.