AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1940, Page 8

AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN

FAREWELL TO REV. HART After 3J years as assistant curate at St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, the Rev. F. Hart has been appointed padre at the Air Force station at Ohakea. He will leave for Wellington on Thursday to attend a conference of chaplains, but will later return to New Plymouth to stay about a fortnight before taking his new a'ppointment. Recognition of Mr. Hart's work at New Plymouth and in neighbouring districts was given form last night when a large gathering of the people of St. Mary's and neighbouring parishes met him at a farewell in St. Mary's hall. Presentations were made to Mr. Hart and to Miss Wallace, his fiancee. The Air Force, said the Ven. Archdeaoon G. H. Gavin, would find Mr. Hart an acquisition because he was a good organiser and a good mixer. His work at the New Plymouth Boys' High School, at the reformatory, in the outdistricts and with the C.E.M.S. had proved his capacity. On behalf of the C.E.M.S. the archdeacon presented Mr. Hart with a New Testament bound in Air Force blue. The Rev. E. L. B. Gribble, Okato, felt that Mr. Hart because of his special abilities and sincerity in his work was destined to go far in church work. The Rev. G. W. G. Griffin, Fitzroy, expressed a similar view, after which Mr. W. E. Donald presented Mr. Hart: with a set of crystal ware from -the Barrett Road-rlis+Hr-t. and Mr. Frank Loose

(New Plymouth Toc H), Mr. D. R. Hedges, Sunday school superintendent, Mr. H. Marfell, who made a presentation from St. Chad's,. Westown, and Mr. T. ( Stocker, reformatory superintendent, acknowledged Mr. Hart's interest in the organisations they represented. ^ The presentation from St. Mary's parish was made by Mr. W. H. Skinner, who expressed deep appreciation of Mr. Hart's work, particularly among the young people. , : , He had found great enjoyment and satisfaction in his work at New Plymouth, said Mr. Hart. He referred specifically to his work at the Boys High School, in the Sunday schools and the Toc H movement. Speaking of his association wjth Archdeacon Gavin, Mr. Hart acknowldged the great help and fine training he had had from the vicar. The archdeacon had always advised him as a friend rather than vicar and Mr. Hart said he would always value the great gifts that friendship had given him. It had been a privilege to work with the Rev. H. R. Starke, a countryman of his. Mr. Hart hoped Mn Starke would be long spared to continue his work in St. Mary's parish, particularly that at the New Plymouth hospital. Miss F. Broad played accompaniments for songs by Messrs. J. Lidbury and J. D. Aitken, Mrs. F C. Harrington and Miss M. Menzies. Supper was served by members of St. Mary's Social Club.