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The
address, which was beautifully illuminated and suitably framed,
was worded as follows: "To Mr G. R. McGhie,--Dear and
honoured friend,--The members and adherents of the Presbyterian
Church, Kihikihi, have learned with sincere regret of your
impending departure from this district after a residence of over
fifty years, and we feel we cannot let you depart without in
some tangible way showing our keen appreciation of the many
years of service you have rendered the church and it's members.
For forty years you have been connected with this church, and
during that period you have seen the number of members and
adherents increase from a mere handful until to-day they number
three hundred. You have filled the important office of manager
for over thirty years, and we know that the satisfactory state
of this congregation to-day is largely due to your ability and
sound judgment. To Mrs McGhie, also, we would like to express
our thanks and best wishes for her excellent work in the
interests of the church and the Ladies' Guild. We hope you will
accept this address as a small mark of respect and as showing
our admiration of your Christian virtues. May God's blessing be
with you in your future home and for the rest of your lives. We
feel you will earn the same appreciation and affection in your
new home as you have done here; and may you both retain fond
memories of Kihikihi for auld lang syne."--The address was
signed by F. J. Smith, Wm McGee, Hamilton Allen, A. Orakau Kay,
J. J. Anderson, J. G. Sutherland, Lewis Eyre, W. R. Stewart,
Ella V. Eyre, M. McFlinn, and M Anderson, on behalf of the
congregation.
The handing over of the gifts was accompanied by a
storm of applause, after which Mr McGhie acknowledged the honour
done him and Mrs McGhie |
that
evening, humorously remarking that the McGhie family "had
been a bit of a tax on the community during the past few
weeks," in allusion to the marriage of two of his sons and
the ceremony that evening. (Laughter.) He went on to pay a
tribute to his wife for many of the good things credited to him,
for she had been the guiding spirit and driving force. He had
lived in Te Awamutu and Kihikihi for 56 years, and early in life
came to realise the truth of the saying that "good
neighbours make good neighbours." He had been 34
years secretary and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church, and
probably held the unique record of most attendance at church in
Kihikihi; he had attended the services of all denominations over
a long period of years. The Kihikihi Presbyterian Church's
welfare had been a labour of love with him, and he hoped some
day soon to learn that the church was free of dept. That had
been his ambition for years, and ultimately the debt was
extinguished. Unhappily, however, fire destroyed the building a
few years later; and had to start all over again. But the
present building was a beautiful and substantial one, and the
building debt was steadily being wiped out. He and Mrs McGhie
would always look back fondly to the happy times they had spent
in Kihikihi, and then he exhorted, all to work unitedly for the
common good.
As Mr McGhie resumed his seat, the congregation
rose and lustily sang, "They are Jolly Good Fellows,"
after which the ladies dispensed supper, and many of the older
friends of the departing quests took opportunity to converse
with them.
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