PAPAROA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6062, 22 April 1881, Page 6

PAPAROA.

A public meeting, held for the purpose of taking leave of our highly-esteemed minister the Rev. A. C. Caughey, was held ou Monday last. A large, number of friends came together, including representatives from Port Albert, Mauugaturoto, Matakohe, &c The inexorable decision of the Wesleyan Conference to remove Mr. Caughey so early to another district meets with but small approval hereabouts. That gentleman has been stationed in this circuit for the past twelve months only, but he has won the respect and confidence of all classes of the community, and the sincere esteem and regard of many of the people. The meeting aLso hail the pleasure of welcoming Mr Caughey ? 3 successor, the Rev. C. "Abernothy. Mr. Abernothy is not quite a stranger among us, and is already well liked. He evidently possesses qualities which will make him both popular and useful in this district. Several ladies of the congregation kindly provided tea, afteir which tho friends assembled in the chapel to enjoy the speeches and other etceteras prepared for them. The Rev. \V. Gittos, superintendent minister, occupied the chair, and explained the objects of the meeting to be threefold—to take leave of the removing minister, to welcome his successor, and to receive the annual financial statement of the circuit. Mr. Trounson, one of the circuit stewards, furnished the latter statement, from which it appeared that the whole of the required funds for carrying on the circuit, work for the past year had been forthcoming. The amounts raised at the different stations were : —Paparoa, £05; Port Albert, £29 4s 3d; Kaiwaka and Hakuru, £18 7b 6d; Pahi, £S 5s 6d; Matakohe, £4 4s 6d. Mr. Trounson alsostated, amidst considerable applause, that Mr. Caughey had in addition contributed £10 towards the circuit funds. Mr. Shepherd, of Port Albert, co-steward with Mr. Trouuson, followed his brother officer with a humorous speech on circuit matters. Mr. Slater, secretary to the chapel trustees, announced that the subscription* promised that day twelve months before, for clearing off the chapel debt (amounting to some £125, if I rightly remember) had all been paid, and that the building was now free from debt. The trustees intended to now erect gates and effect other needed improvements around the building. The official reports being now exhausted, the attention of the meeting was turned to the other items of the programme. A resolution reading somewhat as follows was proposed by Mr. Hames: — "That this meeting expresses its warm appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. Caughey during his residence among us, and its hearty wishes for his happiness and success in his new sphere of labour." Mr. G. Nield, in a few suitable words, seconded the resolution, which was carried by acclamation 1 . Mr. Caughey replied, at some length, taking, leave of his first circuit, and pointing out various ways, in matters financial and otherwise, in which improvement might be effected. Speeches were also delivered- by the Rev. Messrs. Abernethy and Riding, and •by Messrs. Hurndall, Wilson, Cliff, and others. Several items of suitable music were supplied by the choir at intervals. After the usual votes of thanks had been tendered, the meeting was concluded with devotional exercises.—[Own Correspondent.]