VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10274, 29 June 1911, Page 6

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

TO REV. G. B. STEPHENSON. (•From Our Own Correspondent.) Last Friday evening, the settlers and ipublio of the County of Akitio filled the Town Hall, Pongaroa, to overflowing at a large and hearty farewell to the Rev. G. B. Stephen- j 60I j. B.Sc, who, alter three years' | valiaWo service, makes his debar-. ture *9 $' ne Anglican pr»sb at- .t*et- { one- M ■, ... I fllie valedictory &wra»l', which pre- | ceded a dance-. ftft& the (best yet held , in r&Tigflr'M'j notwithstanding the mclemenf night, with consequent impassable roads, which militated against the attendance. Ladies and gentlemen representing every e*ass ] of the community were present to ■do honour to the occasion, and a very pleasant programme was gone through. Mr J-. W: Murray (©hairman of the Akitio County) ably presided. ! The following programme was gone through:—Miss Burling, overture; I Mr C. Fawk (Waione), .mouth organ 1 solo, which was loudly applauded; and. warm, applause followed .the rendition of Mr C. Madden's comio recitation entitled "Mulga Bill." The audience next demanded the ire-app-earance of Mr Judd (Rakaunui) for his several character songs, whose imitations of "Harry Lauder" were simply splendid. The singing of Mrs Cornwall (late of Palmerston North) in "Bream of Paradise" delighted the audience .greatly, rand she was accorded a hearty recall. ,In her song Miss Hogg (Masterton) showed evidence of possessing fine vocal powers, especially in "tflie songs, "Winfeen, Blinkeil 'and Nod," and "Sally Horner," and rfflve rendition of her monologue "Facing Trouble," was with, clear and distinct enunciation. A very pleasing item was rendered by MrPemible-tori, who possesses a splendid-baritone voice, his song "Thbra" showing his voice off to perfection. One of the items that (received special applause was a song by Mr A. Exley, and his second song received the usual complement of appreciation. Similar compliments were received by Messrs Tinworth, J. H, P. Allen (Makuri), Weatberiey (ißakaunui),' and Mr Parker. Mr H. J. Cornwall (who'has lately taken up his residence in Pongaroa), very ably played the accompaniments. The Chairman, upon- rising to make the presentation of the evening, .said:—lt is with, mingled feelings .of pleasure and regret that we have met on this occasion to do j honour to our guest of this evening •on the eve of his departure, to a larger sphere of usefulness; regret at the prospect of losing one who has. Iso universally endeared 'himself to (us all. He "has by his many manly qualities won his way into the affections of all classes of the community, and I, ais one standang-out-side the pale, of the particular religious oommunity he ,i so worthily represents, have much "pleasure m stating that in my opinion, an opinion that is shared by'all present, .that in all his conduct -during ihe -whole of his stay m Pongaroa, a period of three year®, he has always —to borrow a sporting expression"played the • game" and acted_ the . part'of a 'man; he was at all times a man first, a gentleman afterwards. He has been one with us in all that pertained .to the well-being and hap-, piness of this district,-, and I feel personally, as I am isure; we all do, that this small community of which he was such a useful and valuable member, is about to.suffer a severe loss by his (removal, and to Ujse a Shakespearian quotation, "We may not look upon .his like again." Without detracting from his .sacred vocation, he has been one with us in all our games and pleasures, and. shown how a man may engage in manly .sports and recreations and take his share as a man, dn any matter of interest to his fellows, .and yet observe the decencies. of life and the ordains of-religion; in laot he has shown us what muscular diTiistianity is, and iset an example' that anight well be followed %us all. Were I qualified to do iso, I would not like

to be Mr Stephenson's successor for the simple reason that he set himself isuch ia keen pace in his religious work, and overcame so many obstacles that it would be somewhat difficult <for any ordinary man to keep-up the pace he had set. Mr Stephenson is all that pertained to our welfare, and was always a willing helper, a tower of strength on the cricket and football field, also in ow social gatherings, and in bis sphere of work his nam© utos a byword for thoroughness and energy, and we- feel that he has well merited t'hS promotion to. a larger, and' more populous field of labour. We congratulate him on hi& promotion. Petone's gain is our loss, in having for its .pastor so admirable a character. Sir, the residents of this back country district cannot allow you to leave without marking in a tangible manner* their high appreciation of your .successful effort m adding to the pleasure and wellbeing of this district. I can assure you that you carry with you the hearty good wishes of the whole of the people for your future success and happiness, and we .shall be glad at all times to hear of your future .success and well-being. With these remarks Mr Murray presented the' Rev. Stephenson with a purse of sovereigns .and an illuminated address as some mark, however inadequate, of the Akitio settlers' esteem and affection. The address read as (follows: "On behalf of the residents of Bukehinan, Riakaunui, Akitio, and Pongaroa, we desire to express, our deep regret at your approaching departure from this district after three years.' ministry among us, during which time you have endeared yourself to all classes and creeds by your willingness to help in every ■movement brought forward for the well-being and .advancement of the district. In every branch of outdoor sport you have proved yourself a, tower of .strength, and emphasise the old saying, "mens sana in eorpore .sano," whilst in your own partioulia rcalling you have worked as you .alone.can. do to bring the church up to its present position, a standard 'both spiritually and financially ; Which calls for' our highest .admiration, more especially when the conditions of the district are taken into consideration. We sincerely congratulate you on your preferment, and hope that God may spare you many yeans to carry on his good work, and while wishing you every success and happiness in your new sphere we (have also much pleasure)!, on behalf of the residents of these districts in subscribing ourselves,— Ever yours .sincerely, J. W. Murray; H. 8,.' Smithj A. Mooch, P. E. Kent, , T. Yeoman, F. Armstrong, P. V. Smith, Charles Dickens, A. Dickens, ■ and W.; E. Davies." "' The Rev. Rattray also, spoke in high terms» of Rev. Stephenson's ability. Rev. Stephenson, who was visibly, affected, briefly .responded. , The. evening terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," which was heartily sung. During the course of the evening a patriotic speech was made by the Rev. Rattray' in Connection with the [Coronation of His Majesty the • King. • ' .