Presentation to Mr. A. C. Caughey.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXV, 17 December 1904, Page 55

Presentation to Mr. A. C. Caughey.

The supernumerary ministers and widows of Methodist ministers in New Zealand, realising the work done on their behalf by Mr. A. C. Canghey, to whose efforts mainly their allowances, the reduction of which had caused them considerable loss and inconvenience in the past, were by the last general conference restored to the former rate, known as scale C, resolved to express to him their hearty appreciation of his services on their behalf. It is well known to Methodists that, on the recommendation of the actuary, the conference of 1901 resolved on very drastic reductions, which reductions the Rev. J. E. Carruthers, of New .South Wales, pronounced hard and unnecessary. The Christchurch conference of 1003 appointed a committee, of which Mr. Cauglicy was a member, and with his characteristic energy (as' socn as he found out the facts of the case) spared neither time nor money in gaining and distributing information throughout the connexion with such success that, whereas in the conference of 1902 74 voted for reduction and 8 against, in 1904 13 only voted for reduction and 93 against, hnd Mr. Carruthers himself stated that to Mr. Canghey he largely owed the success which crowned his labours at the general conference. ■ A pleasant break was made in the Methodist .Synod work last Thursday by an invitation from the Auckland supernumaries and ministers’ widows to take afternoon tea with them, and be present when they in practical manner expressed their thanks to Mr. Canghey. The Rev. C. H. Garland acted as chairman, and explained the object of the meeting, referring to Mr. Caughey's work in very flattering terms, and stating that among his many friends none were truer than the supernumeraries and ■widows of the New Zealand Methodist Church, who wanted to thank him, not in words, but in writing.

The Rev. W. J. Watkin, in a characteristic speech, presented to Mr. Cauglicy a handsome illuminated address, the work of Mr. Watkin (of Palmerston North), son of the Rev. W. J. Watkin. The address was handsomely framed, and contained a pietme of Air. Caughey’s residence and Mount Allert Church, with his photograph in the centre, and at the bottom a Maori store house and whare, and a lake scene with a war canoe. The word was handsomely decorated with manuka Howers and shamrocks, and is as under: "To A. C. Canghey. Esq.: We, the supernumeraries and ministers' widows of the New Zealand Methodist Cfiureb. desire to express our appreciation of your great Real nud ability in successfully labouring for the repeal of the legislation which had reduced our annual allowances from the Supernumeraries’ and Ministers' Widows' Fluid to a pitiful minimum. We are deefr ly grateful to the Rev. J. E. Carruthers for the initiation of the moiement so Indissolubly associated with his name and for Ids perseverance and generalship In bringing it to a successful issue, and. indeed, are grateful to all who on our behalf assisted him. But in New Zealand, by common consent, you have been the recognised leader, without whose aid Mr Carruthers would have failed to ear’y ms beneficent proposals. When we consider that the task yon undertook was entirely self-imposed, the sole iuceutlvc being

your love of the MetboJUt Church, particular Jy of its aged and enfeebled workers, and that it was accomplished at the cost of a prolonged strain upon you strength and valuable time, to say nothing of considerable financial outlay, we, who arc now reasing the benefit of your labours, are moved to a sense of lasting gratitude, and pray that you will accept this address, although it is an inadequate token of our love to you. Praying that Heaven s abuudant blessing may ever rest upon you and yours, we are, dear Mr Canghey. yours gratefully, (signed* Wm. Kirk. John Crump, Wm. J. Watkin, Wm. Cannel), John Smith, John 8. Rlshworth, John Law, W. G. Thomas, Sarah J. Held. Annie S. Sehavkenberg, Mary A. Armatroug, Caroline D. Gray, Australia J. Dellow, Annie W. Kost. Hie Revs. John I-aw, S. J. Gibson, and Simmonds also spoke in high praise of the good work Mr. Canghey had dofio, and the recipient having made due acknowledgment of the presentation, afternoon tea was provided.