On Monday evening our public school-room was filled to overflowing, the occasion being a complimentary soiree to the above-named gentleman, who, for upwards of ten years has labored amongst us as incumbent of the parish church of St. Thomas. The admission was by ticket, and at an early hour no less than 158 had been disposed of. The customary duties that invariably attend well laid out and well waited upon tea-tables having been disposed of, the assembly resolved itself into a general public meeting. Thomas Austin, Esq., Barwon Park, presided, the lady and family of whom were present. There were also observed, crowded amongst everybody else and their families, A. Hopkins, Esq., lady, and family, and Charles Beal, Esq., lady, and family, &c. The whole affair had been left to a committee of ladies, one of whom presented the purse and read the address, of which more anon.

Silence having been satisfactorily obtained, the Chairman rose and said nearly as follows:-

Ladies, and gentlemen, - It is not necessary for me to explain to you the cause of our now meeting together, for doubtless you are all aware that we have met for the purpose of presenting our much respected pastor with a substantial proof of our respect for him; it gives me much pleasure to be among you upon such an occasion. I have for some years known the reverend gentleman, and whether it be the man or the minister, I sincerely respect him. The speaker in concluding gave his hearers to understand that he was "little blessed with the set phrases" used in speeches, but he earnestly hoped that for many years the Rev. Mr. Tanner would remain with us, christen our children, and finally marry them. The applause having subsided, the lady who had been deputed to read the address here came forward, and in a clear voice and utterance the most distinct, read the following:-

To the Rev. Edward Tanner, Incumbent of St. Thomas' Parish, Winchelsea.

Reverend and dear Sir, - Your pastoral charge of this district having extended over a period of ten years, we, the members of your church and congregation, wish to express the sense of respect and esteem which we cherish towards you in your private and public life. We cannot but think that the broad and liberal views, which you hold of church polity and of churches distinct from Episcopalianism by tenets and their organisations, have preserved us so long in harmony, which has also been helped by the pure doctrines and practical sermons that have from time to time been inculcated upon us, and these your administrations have been followed up by unflagging pastoral duties; we say duties, sir, inasmuch as we believe this is an important, if not the most important, part of a ministers' vocation. Nor would we omit in this expression of our good will, your general conduct, which has ever been free, kind, generous, practical, and we trust, under God, influential upon ourselves and the whole community.

For the above reasons, more especially, we have, dear sir, much gratification in presenting to you this testimony of our appreciation of your character and ministrations, supplementing it with a purse of one hundred sovereigns, and praying that God our Father will long preserve you to us in bodily and spiritual health, blessing your continued labours to our spiritual profit, to the district in general, and above all to the glory of our Supreme Head, Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.

The list that contains the above signatures is a perfect type of the affection and esteem entertained for the Reverend Pastor throughout the whole district; it bears upon its face the names of all classes and creeds, and without entering into details it may be fairly stated that in every instance the amount subscribed was in proportion to the presumed affluence of the subscriber; this, to say the least of it, is a proof of sincerity.

The address having been read and its accompaniment presented, the Rev. Mr. Tanner assured the assemblage that he would not be able to thank them as he would wish; indeed, it was evident that the tongue spoke out of the abundance of the heart. He trusted his hearers would generously interpret what he would wish to say; he felt that he really lived in the hearts of those by whom he was surrounded, and with humble and honest humiliation would conscientiously assert that during his residence amongst us he had never knowingly committed any act inconsistent with his duties as a pastor. "I dare not," continued this worthy minister, "trust myself to here allude to the kindness you have this evening shewn me; a volume of fine speeches and fine words cannot convey to you a tithe of what I feel."

At the conclusion of his address, Charles Beal, Esq. rose, and. would beg to take upon himself the privilege of an old inhabitant by proposing a vote of thanks to the ladies, as a committee, and also to T. Austin, Esq. as Chairman. This was seconded by Mr. George Anderson and carried in that usual unanimous and acclamatory manner so characteristic of everything done at Winchelsea. During the evening our indispensable brass band performed a variety of those enlivening airs that are now so easily within the reach of their finger ends.