MR FRENCH HONOURED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 32, 22 February 1937, Page 8

MR FRENCH HONOURED

Vice-Presidency of the N.Z. Methodist Conference Mr H R. French has be«n eleeted to the vicc-presidency of the Methodist Conference of New Zealand, the highest position in the conference open to a layman. He was electpd by a large majority at the opening of the conference on Thursday evening in tho Pitt Street Methodist Church, Auckland. Mr French was introduced to the president and the retiring vice-presi dent by the Rev. Lt. B. Gosnell, who said that it was fittmg that Mr Frencli should come to this honour in the city of Auckland and at the parish where he had spent his early days. Mr Gosnell referred to Mr French's long assf»c.iation with the Methodist Church, and said that in honouring the vicepresident the church had honoured itsejf. Mr Gosnell was supported by the Rev. H. J. Odell, of Napier, Mr W. S. McKay, of Auckland, and Mr W Dobbs, of Christchurch. Mr Fxeucb waa welcomed to cho office by the llev. F. Copeland (president) and Mr R. Hampton (retiring vice-president) and suitably replied ex pretsing his appreciation of the honour conferred on him. He paid a tribute to the ministei'g and people of Pltt street, who had urged the loyal devotion of Methodists to the best interests and work of tho whole Churcb