REV. J. W. HAYWARD

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1926, Page 1

REV. J. W. HAYWARD

A CALL TO HOKITIKA. CHRISTCHURCH, August 31. The Rev. John AY. Hayward, of the Spreydon Presbyterian Church, has accepted a call from the Hokitika congregation. Ilis induction into that charge has been arranged for September 8. Mr Hayward has been minister at Spreydon for nearly three years, before which lie was for some fourteen years at Akaroa. Thus apart from the Rev F. Rule, he was the member with the longest term on the present Christchurch Presbytery.

To deal with the call from the Hokitika congregation, a special meeting of tho Christchurch Presbytery was held yesterday. In the, absence of the Moderator (tho Bov J. S. Voting), the Rev. Dr Erwin presided. It was stated that in tho call there was no mention of tho matters of stipend or holiday. The call was signed by sixty-seven members out of a total membership of one hundred, and there was also a form of concurrence signed by twelve adherents. Almost all the effective members bad signed, and tlic call had been unanimous. The Spreydon congregation, while regretting very much tho prospect of losing Mr Hayward, reluctantly acquiesced in his transfer. Mr Hayward would add 50 per cent to the ministerial strength of the Westland Presbytery, said the "Rev R. AP Dowell, who was deputed by the Westland Presbytery to speak on behalf of the call. There were at present only two ministers on the Presbytery, and when the Moderator wished to move "a motion the clerk had to take the chair.

On behalf of the Spreydon congregation. Messrs B. Cochrane and F. .M’Keii/.ie spoke of .Air Hayward’s good work in and out of the puplit. Air Cochrane said that no other man in the ministry in New Zealand had done as much as Air Hayward. The Rev. X. L. D. AVebster said that no man apart from trio Rev F. Rule had had so long a period of service on the Presbytery, as had Air Hayward, who was deserving of a “spiritual ACC.” for his work in the older days when travelling was arduous on tho hills round Akaroa. The Presbytery unanimously agreed to hand tbo call to Air Hayward. In signifying his acceptance, Mr Hayward said that he was much touched by tbc eulogies of the work, ft was to some extent with regret that he severed his connection with Spreydon. The office of treasurer of the Hospital Chaplains’ Fund has been held by AH Hayward. He banded in a statement of accounts showing a credit balance of £26 11s fid.