PRESENTATION OF THE PORTRAIT OF MR. F. L. PRIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7897, 16 March 1887, Page 6

PRESENTATION OF THE PORTRAIT OF MR. F. L. PRIME.

■ ♦ Ddki.vg the meeting of the Wesley an Methodist Conference in Auckland, a general and spontaneous desire was manifested for showing to Mr. F. L. Prime the appreciation in whioh hi« services were held as lay secretary and treasurer of the Home Mission and Churoh Extension Fund. It was resolved by the ministers and lay representatives to present Mrs. Prime with a portrait of her husband, as some recognition of his valuable and honorary services. The detail arrangements were left in the hands of the Rev. R. Bavin, who has carried out his task con amore. On Monday evening, the 14th instant, several ministers and laymen waited on Mrs. Prime at her residence, to make the presentation. The Rev. H. Bull, chairman of the district, presided, and called on the Rev. Alexander Keid, who expressed the very great pleasure he felt in the action of the members of the late Conference. The valuable painting is presented to Mrs. Prime in recognition of the wide esteem in which her husband is held throughout the Connexion. The feeling is not merely local, but is the cordial expression of opinion from all parts of the .colony. The response has been unanimous and hearty, extending from Invercargili to Hokianga ; and it is particularly gratifying at the present day to find a business man who devotes so much time and attention to the work of the Church. On behalf of the Conference, Mr. Reid then asked Mrs. Prime to accept the painting as some token of their appreciation, and concluded by hoping that ■he and her husband would be long spared to occupy positions of usefulness In the Church. In responding, Mrs. Prime expressed the pleasure she always felt in doing all she could to help her husband in working for the Master. Mr. Wm, Thome, as representing the laymen, referred to the time and attention which Mr. Prime had devoted to Home Mission work. The Rev. R. Bavin was pleased to acknowledge the unobtrusive manner in which Mr. Prime performed the duties of his office; ministers and laymen from all parts of the colony bore testimony to the general esteem in which he was held. The Rev. J. A. Taylor said that before coming to this district he had a great regard for Mr. Prime for his work's sake, and that feeling had been confirmed. The Rev. H. Bull was pleased to say that the suggestion of this presentation was spontaneous ; it was taken up heartily, and the general response was a proof that Mr. Prime had a warm place in the affections of the members throughout the colony. After the presentation had been made, the deputation were in' vited to tea by Mrs. Prime, when a very pleasant evening was spent. The painting is mounted in a handsome and massive gilt frame; it is a water colour from the studio of Mr. R. H. Bartlett, and its execution reflects great credit on the artist who has reproduced the original with life-like fidelity,