SILVER JUBILEE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 160, 22 June 1935, Page 6

SILVER JUBILEE

THE REV. R. B. WAUGH Fine Tribute to His Work HAVELOCK NORTH GATHERING A remarkable proof of the affection and veneration in which the Bev. B. B. Waugh and Mrs. Waugh, of Havelock North, are held by their friends and parishioners, both within and without the Presbyterian congregation of Havelock, was given last evening when a gathering which filled the Town Board Hall to overflowing met to celebrate the completion of twentyfive years service by Mr. Waugh as pastor of St. Columba’s.

Mr Waugh was presented with a Geneva gown, in which he will be ceremonially robed by Mrs McKenzie, sister of the late Mr W. A. X. Cooper, at the morning service on Sunday next, and Mrs Waugh was presented with a purse of banknotes. In addition, a beautiful dressing-table set was given to Miss Helen Waugh. Mr H. A. Mossnlan acted as chairman of the gathering. Mr Waugh, replying at the end of the speeches made during the evening, expressed his delight that Mrs McKenzie had been chosen to enrobe him, for she was, ho said, the oldest of his parishioners, and one of the most loyal and devoted to the work of the church. It was also a matter of great pleasure to him, he said, that Mr Henry Vaughan, one of his oldest and staunchest friends, bad been chosen to hand his robe to him. CHORUS OH ADMIRATION. The speeches made during the evening were remarkable for the diversity of interests froth which they came, and representatives of such organisations and public bodies as the Education Board, of which Mr. Waugh has been for many years a member, the Havelock School Committee, the Havelock Town Board, and others, joined their obviously sincere praises to the work that Mr nnd Mrs Waugh have done, and to the love and admiration they have won. Addresses were made by the following speakers:— Mr H. A. Mossman, ehairman of the Church Management Committee; Mr J. H. Joll; the Kev. Robertson, representing the Hawke’s Bay Presbytery; Mr Dudley Fickling, representing the Bible Class; Mr H. M. Campbell, M.P., representing the Presbyterian congregation of Poukawa; Mrs Riggir, of Maraetotara; Mr Morling, of the Masonic Lodge; Mr J. B. Campbell, chairman of the lona College Council; Mr G. A. Maddison, as Mayor of Hastings and chairman of the Education Board; the Ven. Archdeacon Maclean, vicar of Havelock North; Mr H. R. Von Dadelszen, chairman of the Havelock North Town Board; Mr J. D. Heenan, chairman of the Havelock North School Committee; and Mr N. Rigby, headmaster of the Havelock North School. A number of apologies, including those from the Moderator of the Assembly of Hawke’s Bay, the Rev. Mr Hutchison, and from the Rev. D. J. A. Shaw, were read to the gathering. APPRECIATIVE ADDRESSES. Mr. Mossman, in the opening speech, •aid that the tribute that the people had come to make to Mr. and Mrs. Waugh was made with great heartiness and sincerity. • Speaking as an elder of the church, Mr. J. H. Joll said it was chiefly by little unlooked-for acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that Mr. and Mrs. Waugh ( had endeared themselves to the people of the church and to their friends. Few people-knew how much they had done for their people during the years of the War and after it, and their inherent love of young people had always been one of their most lovable characteristics. Despite all the difficulties of the time of Mr. Waugh’s ministry, the Sunday School classes were bigger, the congregation was bigger, and there was a more active spirit in the church to-day than ever before. Mr. Robertson expressed his admiration of Mr. Waugh’s sagacity and wisdom in church management, of his understanding of men, and of his deep and sincere evangelical spirit. “1 don't know,” said Mr. Robertson, ‘‘what we should have done without his advice.” Appreciation of Mr. Waugh’s assistance and encouragement in Bible Class work was expressed by Mr. Fickling, who said that the success achieved by many Bible class members, now gone far afield, was a proof to Mr. Waugh’s influence. Mr. H. M. Campbell spoke in praise of Mr. and Mrs. Waugh’s kindly interest in young people especially, and Mrs. Riggir and Mr. Thornton expressed the appreciation and congratulations of the Presbyterians of Maraetotara and Olive respectively. Mr. Morling paid a special tribute to Mr. Waugh as a Masonic friend and brother, and to Mrs. Waugh, who, he said, had made “an excellent job of her husband.” UNFAILING SERVICE. Speaking as a representative of lona College, Mr. J. B. Campbell referred to Mr. Waugh's seventeen years of service as chairman of the college coun. cil, during which time, he said, Mr. Waugh had never missed a meeting nor failed to give the most loyal and devoted service to the college. Referring to Mr. Waugh’s services to education, Mr. Maddison said that Mr. Waugh’s constant impulse was to work for the improvement of the education of children, and for their moral improvement. “No man is more highly respected on the board,” said Mr. Maddison, “and no one is held in greater affection. No one could represent you more ably. I know that a man who gives service in public life owes much to his wife’s help and encouragement, and I know that he owes much to Mrs. Waugh.”

Archdeacon McLean spoke of the real friendship that had existed not only between Mr. Waugh and himself personally, but between their churches, as, for example, when St. Columba s was made available to the Anglican congregation when the earthquake destroyed St. Luke's Church. They, had alfraye

worked in the closest co-operation and friendliness, said the Archdeacon.

Speaking in reply, Mr. Waugh recalled many memories of the first years of his pastorate, and said that he and Mrs. Waugh would remember the present occasion not only when its glamour had worn off, but to the end of their days. “If ever a man was blessed with a loyal and efficient partner.” he added in paying tribute to Mrs. Waugh. “T am, and in ways that, are not known to vou, and nw»r will be."