AKAROA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 64, 27 February 1877, Page 2

AKAROA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL TEA MEETING. The annual social meeting of tho Presbyterian congregation, Akaroa, took place in the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening last, and was in every sense of the word a decided success. The. hall was most tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers by Mr H. Billens. The tables were furnished under contract by Mrs Brown in her usual elegant and bountiful style, and were sat down to by a large company, including about 70 children belonging to the Sunday School, who were presented with free tickets. After full justice had been done by the guests to the good things laid before them, the tables" were cleared, and the public meeting was opened by singing the Ist Hymn and Prayer. Mr H. Billens, Superintendent of the Sunday School, read his report, which touched on progress, and asked for more teachers. Then followed a most interesting part of the evening's programme, the presentation to the Sunday School children of about 50 cocoanuts, sent by the Rev Mr Watt, missionary, New Hebrides, and the children and choir uniting in singing the well-known missionary . hymn " From Greenland? Icy Mountains." Mr B. T. Missen, Secretary of the Financial Committee, read the financial report, Avhich stated the income for the past year had been about £131, and the balance carried forward to next year over £8. The report was considered very satisfactory, and unanimously adopted. The Chairman (Eev Mr Douglas) gave in a report of his work during the past year, which spoke of progress generally, specially in the leading places. It stated that no proper report had been sent in for Le Bon's or Wainui in regard to finances, but from the former place £3 10s had been received for the past year, and about £6 more promised. From Wainui about £10 had been received, ■ and £5 or £6 more subscribed, but not paid. From Little River there was no report, the minister not having been able to visit that district for some time back. It is anticipated that when all the places are reported the amount collected during last year for the support of Divine Ordinances will be a few pounds over the previous year's income. This is creditable to the people's steady liberality. Eloquent and excellent addresses were afterwards given by the Revs. Elmsiie,' McGregor, and Gillies, and we very much regret that we cannot find space for their remarks. The choir, which was presided over by Mrs Davis, rendered several pieces with great effect. Cordial votes of thanks were passed to the three rev. gentlemen who had kindly. travelled such a distance in order to be present; to the choir; to the ladies and gentlemen who had aided in getting nip the tea meeting; to Misses Bruce andDuncan, for canvassing the town for funds ; to the ladies who had assisted .in- ■■ arranging and serving the tea ; to the harmoniumist, Mrs Davis; to Mr H. Billens, for so handsomely decorating the hall; and to the rev chairman. This, the third anniversary of Mr Douglas' pastorate, was brought to a close by pronouncing the benediction.