Farewell Social at Leeston

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 22, 7 June 1923, Page 45

Farewell Social at Leeston

It is a long time since the Catholic Hall at Leeston was so crowded with people as on Tuesday night (says the Ellesmere Guardian for May 19), when a farewell social was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Eccleton. At intervals in the proceedings songs were given by Misses Kilbride, Harris and Holley, and recitations by Messrs. Watson and Eccleton. ~^ r ‘ Y inter, who presided over the gathering, said that he would call on Rev. Father Creed to make presentations to both Mr. and Mrs. Eccleton. During their six years’ stay in Leeston the guests had proved themselves worthy townspeople and staunch members of the Church The work of Air. Eccleton during the recent bazaar alone entitled him to the best they could say or do for him. Both he and Mrs. Eccleton had ever been to the front in any work for the good of the Church, or for any good cause whatever. Rev. Father Creed said that in the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Eccleton from Leeston, the Church and the community at large were sustaining a severe loss. Their good work was so well known that it was needless for him to enlarge upon it. Never a call was made on their services that they did not answer most willingly and enthusiastically, in fact, his old friend Jack had become to them a staff on which they all -sometimes rather heavily— he took all the burdens smilingly, and asked for more. Their best wishes would go with the guests to their home, and he trusted that -although they were going a good distance away, it would not bo found too far to admit of them visiting them friends in Ellesmere on some future occasion. He had much pleasure in presenting to Mrs. Eccleton a set of stainless cutlery, and to Mr. Eccleton a wallet of notes. • Messrs. Moriarty and W. J. AlcEvedyo added their tributes on behalf of the Soiithbridge parishioners, and Mr. S. Johnston spoke of Air. Eccleton’s splendid tact and business capacity, his unfailing courtesy and many little kindnesses in the exorcise of his official duties. He wished the guests long life, happiness, and prosperity. Air. Owens, on behalf of the church choir, regretted very much the departure of two such staunch members, saying that their places would be hard to fill. Like everything else they undertook, their work in the choir had been marked by devotion and self-sacrifice. Air. Eccleton briefly returned thanks, saying that anything he had been able to do for the Church or public was to him a pleasure. He had always tried to act in a charitable spirit to his fellow-man, and had become very much attached to the people of Ellesmere. He and Mrs. Eccleton would always remember the great honor that had been done them that evening and would look back on their days in Ellesmere as the most pleasant in their lives. “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” was then enthusiastically sung. Supper was provided by the ladies, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne” concluded one of the most successful gatherings ever held in, the parish hall.