ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 51, 22 August 1911, Page 8

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

MR. W. IT. XKIXXKR FAREWELLEDtA large number of friends and members of St. Mary's Parish assembled in St. Mary's Hall last evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mf.. and Mrs. Skinner and' family, who shortly leave for Blenheim. The hall had been very tastefully decorated by the lady members of the church. The Rev. Mr. Wilkinson (acting-vicar) presided. In his opeing speech Air. Wilkinson referred at some length to the many good qualities of Mr. Skinner. Mr. Skinner was respected by all,, as a member of the church and also in private life. He (Mr. Skinner) had been associated'withthe church for a number of years, and had also occupied the position of superintendent of St. Mary's Sunday School for nearly seventeen years. Mr. Skin--ner had always worked hard, together with the other members of the church, and he could hardly say too much of the church's appreciation of his noble work. He well deserved the respect that was shown to' him by the community, both as a churchman and in his private life. He was a/ man of broad idtos, and' had fully shown it in his capacity of teacher in the boys' department of the Sunday School. Mrs. Skinner had also taken an active interest in church work, and proved herself an excellent helpmeet to Mr. Skinner in carrying out his various duties, which gained for them both a moral and a spiritual success throughout Xew Plymouth. Mr.. Skinner's work amongst the inmates of the Hospital and the Old People's Home had also proved beneficial, and when the Rev. Evans had taken him (the Rev. Wilkinson) to the hospital on a visit he was delighted to hear the kindly way in which all the people had spoken of Mr. Skinner. Mr. Skinner no doubt deserved these kindly remarks, as lie had spent a good part of his life in devotion to work in the Hospital and the Old People's Home. His work amongst the Maoris had been wonderful, and he was unable to say who would now be found to take the interest

. iii the work that Mr. Skinner had taken;. Mr. Wilkinson then presented Mr. Skinner with the following address, beautifully illuminated <by Mr. A. M. Bradbury, of New Plymouth) and' signed' tty the members of the Vestry and by many members of the congregation;— "To W. H. Skiimer, Esq., Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned members of St. Mary's parish, on the eve of your leaving for Blenheim, beg t<f assure you of our sincere regret at your departure, and while we feel that your time and labor so ungrudgingly given in the furtherance of God'fe work require no* thanks from us, it affords us great pleasure to record our warm appreciation of the valuable services you have so freely rendered to this parish for so many years past in your several capacities of vestryman, churchwarden, parorchis trustee, Synodsman and parish nominator. The best interests of the parish have always been carefully conserved and studied by you, while from your intimate knoweldge of the district your advice in all matters has always been most useful to the clergy and your •fellow workers. Your sixteen years' work as superintendent of the Sunday School has been- long- enough to enable you to see in many cases the fruition of your labors, and it must be a source of, great satisfaction to find many of those for whose early training for good you have been responsible, now taking their share in church affairs, and working for the extension of Christ's kingdom. We feel also that we are indebted to Mrs. Skinner and the other members of your family for their work and assistance in many ways, and we beg their acceptance of the accompanying articles as a slight token of our appreciation of their untiring efforts. And we trust thnt with GchPs blessing you and yours may be spared for many years of active and useful life, and that when your work in the public service is concluded, you may be able to return to New Ply. mouth, both able and willing to do still more for the glory of God and the Rood of the church." He hoped that Mr. Skinner would accept it in the spirit in which it was given, and keep in mind the manv pleasant recollections he had had among his fellow workers of the parish. He wished lum success in his new sphere, and hoped that after he had finished his duties at Blenheim he would be able to come > Iwck and resume his old duties in the church. Messrs. Baker and Webster also , endorsed the remarks made by the act-ing-vicar. Mr. Shaw, in presenting Mr Skinner with a beautiful oak cabinet, also referred at some length to the many good actions that had been performed by Mr. Skinner. He was responsible for the enlargement of the church and had also carried out the task of collecting all the data necessary for the memorial hatchments in the church. Mr. Skinner, in reply, said that ma work had been successful to a verv great extent through the very able assistance of Mrs Skinner. They had both been brought up in homes which had been surrounded by a halo of goodness, and they had fully appreciated it. He had been a staunch friend of the late Archdeacon Govett until he departed this life, and the goodness shown to him by this late friend had inspired him He wished to thank Mr. Bradburv for his excellent work in the address, also all fellow workers of the parish, and all kind friends lie had been associated with during his long stap in New Plymouth. Mrs. Skmner was also presented with a case containing half a dozen dessert knives and forks, half a dozen fish knives and forks, and a set of fish carvers. The cover of the case bore this inscription, "Presented to Mrs. W. H. Skinner con & re gation; Aug. 21* 1011. The Misses Skinner were each presented with gold bracelets, with watch attachments, and the Rev Mr Wilkinson asked Mrs. Skinner to convey D -Sinner a pair of learnt gold sleeve links, for the never failing assistance he had rendered to the During the evening a number of musical items were contributed by local talent. Light refreshments were handed lound, and the fum lion terminated.