Presentation to Mr A. R. Nicholls.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4690, 9 April 1894, Page 3

Presentation to Mr A. R. Nicholls.

A pleasing ceremony took place at the oloso of tho service of St, Matthew's church, Masteiton, last • evening, when the choir met in the Schoolroom, to bid good bye to their energetic and popular Secretary and "Choirmaster, Mr A, R. Nicolls who is being transferred to Napier. Mr K. G. Moore, in a few well chosen r remarks, expressed ilie reg'et frit in consequence of Mr Nicholla having to sever bis connection with the ohoir, of which he has been such an to promote its ira 1 provemenV even in the smallest ] detail. The members could not allow him to depart without express- ' ing their sentiments and presenting . him with a small memento of their good will, in the followiug address:— To A. K. Nicbolb, Esq," Dear Sir, The members of the St. Matthew's Parish Choir desire to express their extreme regret at your removal from Mastertou, and the loss which they thus sustain in being deprived of your valuable services in connection with the oburch-'fbey recognise that mainly through your experience and efforts is the ohtirch indebted for avast improvement in the music since you undertook the reorganization and management of the choir, and that to your tact and discretion, during the few months you have had . charge of the practices, is due, in a very large measure, the success which has attended our efforts, in providing better, and a more attractive class of . lrusio at the services, than the - 'congregation previously enjoyed, JWe feel it to bo impossible to overestimate the value of tho services you in initiating this new Woraßftr things so far as the church ™ music is concerned, and we trust that tho good work thus commenced may be maintained as nearly as possible to [he standard of excellence which we ' know it would have been your desire to reach, had you remained amoDgst us, even though wo aro unfortunate in being deprived of the help arid advice you are so well able, and have always been so willing to give, We ask your iccoptauce ol the accompanying gift as a memento of your association with us, and the good fceling,and kindly remembrances which that association has promoted, and we wish you and your family every happiness and prosperity whomever jour future lot may be oast, Yours faithfully, F. G. Moore. (On behalf of the mombers of the ' choir).

Mr Nicbolls in reply said lie was altogether taken aback by the kind action of tho choir, ho could hardly find works to express his feelings, I but with reference to the remarks of Mr Moore that the choir was indebted ' to him, he could only say that he could not have been bo successful if hehadnotaeceived the hearty cooperation of the other members by the . regular attendance at practice and church and their ready response to the culls made upon them. Ho must say from his experience of choirs, that the regularity of the attendance of the members of St, Matthew's I ohoir was exceedingly creditably in J fact made a very high average indeed, As to bis qualification for the position be held from his knowledge of music, he thought thero wero several others who knew quite as much as he did, if not more. The only thing ' he had an advantage over some of them was his knowledge of tho pointing olthe psalms. The time he has been connected with the choir, and had spent with it, had been the pleasantest of his stay in Masterton. What little trouble he has taken has been to him a labour of love, His lifo - has been much happier, and whatever troubles he may have had during the week, there was always something to look forward to in the choir practices and tlffvSteio on Sundays, Again thankingTßem all for their great kindness and good will, he now would wish —"""V-them all "good-bye,"