An interesting ceremony took place at the Warragul Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, when a religious service was held by the Gippsland Branch of the Victorian Local Preachers' Association in connection with the unveiling of a memorial statue erected in the Wesleyan Methodist part of the ground to the memory of the late Mr. William Witton, who died at Warragul some thirteen years ago. The stone is marble, neatly designed, with the lettering done in black and gold, and around the grave is an iron railing resting on a massive stone foundation.

The deceased gentleman was the first local preacher in the colony in connection with the Wesleyan Church and was also the first class leader. He preached in Melbourne as far back as 1837 and remained in the service of the church until his death at Warragul in 1886. He was then 75 years of age. He was greatly esteemed for his integrity and Christian character, and recognising that honor was due to his name, the local branch of the Local Preacher's Association of Victoria initiated the movement which culminated in the ceremony held on Tuesday last.

The Rev. Horton H. Williams delivered a short address appropriate to the occasion. Mr. S. Giblett (chairman of the Gippsland branch of the L.P.A.) unveiled the stone and a report of the movement was read by Mr. C. J. Jones (Secretary of the Gippsland branch). Mr. Ernest Witton, of Drouin was present, representing the relatives of the deceased.

Some time ago the Gippsland branch of the Local Preachers' Association decided to honor the memory of the pioneer Wesleyan Methodist local preacher of the colony (Mr. William Witton) by erecting over his grave in the Warragul Cemetery, a suitable tombstone. Deceased preached in Melbourne as early as 1837, and was a leading light in the church right up to his death, which occurred in Warragul in 1886.

The ceremony of unveiling the stone took place on Tuesday afternoon, 12th instant, Mr. S. Giblett (chairman of the Gippsland branch of the body named) officiating, while an address appropriate to the occasion was given by the Rev. H. H. Williams (minister of the Warragul circuit), and Mr. C. J. Jones (secretary of the association) read a report of the movement.

Deceased was interred in the Wesleyan portion of the cemetery, and the stone which now marks his last resting place is of marble, and the lettering in black and gold, the grave being surrounded by an iron railing built on a massive stone foundation.

M. E. W. Witton, of Drouin, representing the family, was present at the ceremony. - Communicated.