VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1917, Page 8

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

•REV. AND MRS. A. H. COLVILE. The high esteem and respect which tho ftev. A. H. Colvile lias earned during his five years' ministry in New Plymouth found expression last evening, when Mr. and Mrs. Colvile, who Jeavc en route to Auckland to-day, were tho guests of the parishioner* at a farewell social held in St. Mary's Hall. Mr. S. W. Shaw presided over a gathering of several hundred, adherents. Mr. D. E. Hutton, vicar's warden, in asking Mr. Colvile's acceptance of a purse of sovereigns, said that in the five years the vicar had spent .in New Plymouth many good work's had been accomplished. The transept and lady chapel, erected in memory of the late Ven. Archdeacon Govett, had given SO extra scats to the church. A memorial altar to tho Rev. W. Bolland, who was instrumental in founding the present stone church, had also been built. Other works included the enlargement of the vestry and the placing of the colors of the Taranaki Rifles in the church, and free seating had been established. Mrs. Colvile had assisted in •forwarding the. various societies (connected with the church. She had spared no pains to make others happy. Mr. Shaw expressed the deep sense of gratitude all felt towards Mr. Colvile for the many privileges they had enjoyed. Many beautiful services had been held in the dear old church, and many moving appeals had been made by the vicar. Mr. Colvile had always tried to promote a healthier home life and to discourage excessive pleasure. He had shown himself to be a strong man, with a strong personality. The relations between the vicar and the church wprkers had always been most harmonious. Mrs. Colvile had been a true helpmeet. Mr. Shaw extended to Mr. and Mrs. Colvile the best wishes of the congregation asd wardens, and trusted that they ipight be spared many years of usefulness. (Applause). The Rev. C. W. Howard, of Stratford, and Rev. E. L. Harvey, of Tnglewood, 'spoke in terms of appreciation of the Ikin'dneSses tliev had received at the ■handa of Mr. CS'hfle. The vicar, in returning thanks, said he had a great deal to be thankfuljoi in connection with his ministry in New Plymouth. He had also a great many regrets. Mr. Colvile paid a warm tri. Bute to the "stalwarts," those churchpeople who had so steadily backed him up during his stay here. They had been a great source of comfort to him. When Mr. Hutton and Mr. Shaw had made such kindly references to him, he felt ashamed, and realised how far he fell short of the good things said about him. His great source of regret during his stay here had been those people who merely attended church, hut neglected church work. These peopie blandly wore thejabel. but did nothing to just'fy it. He had never been able to "get hold" of them or to help them. Ho was going to a difficult parish, and he hoped the prayers ofj the people of New Plymouth would go with him., Mr. Colvile thanked the wardens, the vestry, the choir, the lay readers, and the Sunday school teachers for their labor r.nd devotion. He spoke on. behalf of Mrs. Colvile as .well as himself when the expressed his thanks to the congregation for their gift. The speeches were interspersed with a -pianoforte solo by Miss C. Leatham, a recitation by Mr. Cohile, and songa by Mrs. Wilkes and Miss Peart.

A pleasant' period concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.