VALEDICTORY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8117, 11 April 1906, Page 6

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. 1) J. MURRAY. Tho citizens' farewell and preseni tation to tho Rev. D. J. Murray took place in tho Town Hall last eveniDg. The Mayor presided over a large attendance. Messrs A. W. llogg, M.H.R., J. Jl. Pauling, W. H. Jackson, P. L. llollings. R. Brown, E. Feist, F. .1. Diguan, and H. J. O'Leary occupied seats on tin? slage. The Mayor stated that they had gathered together that evening to curry out what ho considered would bo to all a very pleasant duty. Tbey had mot to congratulate and give Mr Murray a royal send-off. He was sure ho wan voicing the sentiments of bll wbeu be said they bad mot to do honour to a gentleman. It gavo him great pleasure to speak of Mr Murray on behalf of the citizens of the town, and to state that his actions had caused a foeling that had not hitherto existed in Mastertou. It must have boon gratifying to Mr Murray to bo present at so many valedictory functions, but on' that occasion tho citizens had met him as a public man, and it gavo them pleasure to meet a man who was in «very sense a Christian, and one who had done so much in uplifting tho moral tono of tho town. It was a {leasing duty on one side and a sorrowful ono on the other to say good-bye to Mr Murray. Tho speaker had never met a man so broad-minaed and well fitted for the work he carried on. He trusted that Mr Murray and hia wifo wonld have a wosperous future. Mr K. Brown at this stage, read apologies from Messrs iu. C. Q'Connell, E. Meredith and the Ifev. A. M. Johnson. He also read au illuminated address to Mr Murray, the text of which ia astollpws:—■ To the Rev. D. J. Murray,—Kev. Sir —We, tho undorsigned residents of Masterton, desire, on the occasion of your departure from our town and district, to publicly acknowledge the many services you have rendered, during the years you have been with us, to promoto the general good of the community. As a religious leader your example and coin is-. trations have had a powerful influence in social matters. Your advice, self-abnegation, and practical sympathy have been productive of singularly beniflcient results, and in the cause of education and the improvement of our youth, your efforts have b-ien indefatigable. Not only , the members of the. denomination with which yon are identified, but tieopie of various creeds arid nationalities, have found in you a friend and adviser, ready at all times to assißt them to the best of your power, at any sacrifice, in their time of distress, and it is mainly due to this large-hearted charity that you occupy tho position you hold in the general estimation. In losing you we feel that the publio are parting with a valued friend and benefaotor, aqd, while cordially wishing you and your estimable wife a happy and prosperous future, we ferveutly hope to be again able to welcome you back to this district at some future time. Signed—J. A. Renall (Mayor), A. W. Hogg, M H.R., R. Brown (Chairman of the Maaterton School Committee), E. Feist, C. E. Daniel], H. J. O'Leary, F. J. Dignan (Manager of the Bank of New Zealand), and W. H. Jackson (Headmaster Distriot High School). Mr Brown, speaking as Chairman of the Masterton Sohool Committee, made referenoe to Mr Muiray's good work as a member of the Committee, and expressed pleasure at the interest taken by bim in educational matters. He wished Mr Murray success in his new circuit . Mr Hogg wished Mr and Mrs Murray every success in sphere of labour. When they had performed their work in connection with the Oiiaroh in Mornington he hoped to see them back again in Masterton; in fact, ne was confident that they would come baok, as Mr Murray bad told him that he was by no means tired of Masterton. He did not think a solitary person in Masterton was anxious tp get rid of Mr Murray, for his broad views and universal oharity bad made him many friends. The people with whom Mr Murray had laboured for the past four years would, be only too gladl to weloome him baok again, and he was sure he would be breaking no secret trust when he repeated that Mr Murray had told him that when he quitted the Ministry, he would make Masterton his home. In oon- I elusion Mr Hogg mentioned that there was a humourous side to Mr Muiray's departure, for on Monday evening he had been with 4 'Daniel and the Prophets," and that night the was with 44 Joseph and bis Brethren." (Laughter). Mr Feist stated that he did not Come to make a speech as he had spoken at a similar gathering on the previous evening, but he could echo all that had been said, and he was very pleased to show sympathy with the movement, and to take part in the gathering. He was very pleased that Mr Murray was held in such high esteem throughout the whole of the distriot, abd in his new sphere he would carry the good wishes of i all. | Mr Jaukson thought that the | people of Masterton were to be sincerely congratulated, for the manner in which they had done honour to suob a sterling man as Mr Murray. Mr Murray had been a tower of strength in the School Committee, and he (the speaker) thanked him for the interest he had taken in the sohool. Mr Murray would always have the satisfaction of knowing that he had left not only in the Ghuroh, but in Masterton, a void.

Mr Pauling stated that he had pleasure in echoing the sentiments of the previous speakers He, as a citizeu of 9/iasterfcon, felt sorry at losing Mr Murray, and he wished him and his family "God speed," and a pleasant time in Mornington. There were few Ministers in New Zealand who held the esteem of all denominations like Mr Murray, and he hoped Mr Murray would return, at some future reside in Masterton.

-Messrs Hollings, O'Leary and J. Elliott also spoke. The Mayor' then presented Mr Mafray, on behalf of the citizens of Masterton with the illuminated address and a parse of sovereigns.

Rev. Murray, in replying, stated that from hh heart he felt a bumble and a grateful 1 man, and yet in another senso a proud man. It was with gratitude that he heard the confidence of those, with whom be had laboured for four years, being expressed to him. He thanked the oitizens for tbeir gift. He hoped that he might come back some day to Masterton, if not as a Methodist Minister, aa a citizen. When ho left Mastertou be would always cherish kindly feelings toward* its people. He would always iook upon th« address with pleasure, and for the contents of the puree be was grateful. At the instance of Mr C. E. Dauiell, tho Mayor was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his action and interest in promuting the farowell to Mr Murray. The Mayor replied stating that he bad only done hisiduty. During the evening several selections were rendered on a phonograph, lent occasion by Messrs T. Dwyer and Co., and at the conclusion of the gathering, on the motion of Mr Jackson, a vote of thßukp was accorded Mr Dwyer. tzaf-UrSiz*" -gififeaiAtcalSH?