PRESENTATION TO THE REV. WM CALDER.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1466, 24 November 1881, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. WM CALDER.

When it became known that final ar« rangement? had been made for effecting a change of cures between the incumbent of*S. Peter's Church Hamilton, and S. George's Grahamstown, the Waikato frionds of the Rev. William Calder were determined that he who had labored for so many years, and with such zeal amongst them should carry away with him to his new home something more that tho recollection of regrets openly expressed at parting, and a committee of gentlemen went to work quietly and unostentatiously to raise subscriptions. It is gratifying to know|that though their labors were necessarily extended over a considerable period, thoy were by _no means arduous. People of all denominations manifested not only a willingness, but an anxious desire to contribute towards a presentation to a clergyman, who in the discharge of his eccle«astical duties and in every relation in life has gained universal respect and esteem, in which also Mrs Calder fully participated. It •was not surprising therefore to find that on Monday the amouat of the subscriptions had reached £100. Arrangements Avere made for making the presentation on Gwynne's lawn on Tuesday afcrnoon, and at the appointed hour, half-past four, between 250 and 300 people, chiefly members of S. Peter's congregation, with their friends, and including the children of the Sunday School, had assembled in the gardens. The afternoon was warm and bright, and the pretty lawn and gardens attached to The Cottage never appeared to greater advantage. In the centre of the lawn was § laced a table, upon which were to bo eposited the addresses, for there were two, the Sunday School children having determined that they, too, in their own way, would give expression to the loving regard in which they held him, who, at all times, had been a trusty and affectionate friend to them. Around wore placed a number of chairs and benches for the accommodation of the ladie3 and children. The Hamilton Band, in their smart new uniform, had kindly volunteered their services, and added a cheerful phase to a ceremony^which otherwise was not of a merry character at all. After a few musical helections had been played, the church-wardens and members of the vestry advanced to where Mr and Mrs Calder were seated near th« table, and, Mr S. T. Seddon, in making 1 the presentation said :—" Ladies and gentlemen," during tho 12 years I have been u resident in Waikato, I have taken part in many publio meetings of more or less importance, but never at one in which I have felt more hearty sympathy than the present. We have met here to-day to do honor to a kind, true-hearted, sympathizing C'-iristiau man, whose untiringlabours amongst us, during the past 6 or 7 years have borne ample fruit, not only in our immediate neighbourhood, but also in the surrounding districts. Some persons have blamed Mr Caldor for goingfurther and further into the out districts, were Sunday observances wore extremely lav, but the fact that these new districts have demanded, and are about to have appointed to them resident clergymen, is a proof at least, of tho efficacy of his labors. By the step Mr Calder is now taking he doeß not improve his position monetarily, but, being .still a young man, he isdesiious of doing more work than will be required of a clcigyman mmistonng to Hamilton alone. For two years after I came here there wag only a very small church and the yearly receipts were about £30. Now we have a large church, a parsonage and money in hand to build a aunday-Bchool, and an annual income of over LlOO. I think you will all agree with me that we are now entitled to the whole services of a resident clergyman. I trust the Boy. Mr Lush (who is_ an old and highly esteemed fnend of mine) seeinpr the cordial manner in which we have treated his predecessor -cv ill accept it as a token and proof of the sympathy we are ready and anxious to extend to himself then read the following- address which had been been neatly illuminated by Mr T. H. Smifche : —

To inn Ri'v. WiLLfAM Caldkr. Reverend and Dear Sir,— On the etc of youi departure from amongst us, on behalf of the parishioners of S. Peter's Church and jour numerous friends m 'Waikato, we desire to express the fjre.it regret that is felt throughout the whole district .\t the loss of your valuable sen i( <-•;. Your ministrations will ever be Held in grateful remembrance among all classes of the people, particularly among the young folk, who have looked up to you, not only a» then pastor and guide, but as a lo\ ing friend. In j our l.ibors amongst us }ou have been ably assisted by Mrs C.ilder, whose loss will be as deeply felt as your owr, and who has cser been the first to bung comfort, hope, and subtantt.il relief to the distressed and afflicted. We have the consol ltion of knowing that joui new sphere ot duty will not remo\e you far from us, and we trust in it God mij pour his richest blessing on jou and yours. Kindly accept the accompanying gift as a memento of our lo\ ing esteem. Signed on belialt of the subscribers; K. Fitzmaunce bandes, parson's church- warden, P. LcQuesne, people s chuich-wardcn. Hamilton, Waikato, Nov. 22nd, 1881. Mr Seddon then handed to Mr Calder a netted silk purse, (worked by one of the ladies of the congregation, and held with silver rings, the gift of Mr McLernon) containing 100 sovereigns. He expressed a hope th.at with a portion of the money they would purchase some article of furniture by which to keep their Waikato friends in remembrance. Miss Bessie Sandes, on behalf of the Sunday School pupils, read the following address, accompanying which was a very valuable microscope, mbscribed for and purchased by the children :—: —

the district he had tried to be as pleasant, and ao jolly and good a fellow as was possible, and therefore hoped he should not be forgotton for many years to come, for he could assure them he would not forgot Waikato. The parents of the children he thought might be in some degree nettled for his Blight referonce to them on Sunday night. He could take a farewell of grown up people but when they came to him through children to express their Bympathy at his departure, matters assumed another aspect, and a3 to his feelings he would leave them to surmise, for he liked children, and he believed children liked him. He took occasion to compliment tho children on their choice in selecting the present which accompanied their address. As Mr Seddon had already informed them, it was not for his own personal advancement he was going away, but because he thought there was a greater field for a young man at the Thames than at Hamilton. He had lived in a kindly and affectionate way not only with the people of Hamilton, but with those of the out-districts. At ono time the district of which he wasinc harge, extended as far as Taupiri on the north, to Matamata on the south, and from Whatawhata to To Arolia. Mr Seddon had referred to his work in the out settlements. He had laboured to create a want in these places, feeling sure that when once created such a want would increa ». Results had shown that his hopes had been realised, as resident ministers were to be appointed, one for Ngaruawahia, Huntley, and the lower Waipa district, and another for the Piako and Upper Thames. This would show them th.it when a man went about a tiling pro' perly how enthusiasm was started. Referring to the testimonial ho was gratified to know that the public, as he was assured, had been very good in the matter. It had been always his ambition to be kindly diposed to everyone, for lie found that everyone with whom he came in contact with in the Waikato had been kindly disposed towards him. He would take that opportunity of thanking those people who had taken so much interest in the matter, and also of thanking those who had worked with him for the six years he had been in the Waikato. He had had very good men to work with, and every year he found they got into each other's confidence more and more, As the time approached for his departure he felfc more grieved at having to tear himself away. Mr Calder concluded by thanking the band for their kindness, and congratulated them on their very handsome appearance. The ceremony being over, the group was photographed by Mr Somerville, ot Hamilton, who subsequently took a picture of the band.

Mr and Mrs Calder took their departure from Waiktito by yesterday morning's train, en route for the Thames. A large number of friends a&sembled and drove to the station to bee their departure. The Hamilton Cavalry Troop, of which the rev. gentleman was chaplain, also proceeded to the station, Mr Calder riding at their head with Lieut. Johnson, On reaching the platform he made a short address to the cavalry, and was cheered by the men as the train moved off.