SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 7

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

« • ANNUAL REPORT. The twenty-eighth annual repoit of the JVellington Sunday School Union is to hand, and contains tho following, inter alia: — The names of five new schools appear on our returns this year, viz., To Horo and Bunnythorpe Methodist, Kelburne Presbyterian, Tawa l'lat Primitive Methodist, and Masteiton Congregationalist. In our BO schools there are over 10,000 scholars, with nearly 1000 teachers and officers. Comparing the schools whose returns have appeared both last year and. this, we find that tho number of teachers is about the same. The scholars have increased by 313, while the average attendance is about 2J- per cent, higher. The numbers over 15 ydars of age show a falling off, but this is accounted for by one large school not counting their Bible Class members this year. The infant classes show a gain of over 600. In the city schools, 11 show an aggregate gain of 267 scholars, while 10 show a loss of 154, leaving a net gain of 113. Outsido the city, 27 schools gained between them 201 scholars, while 9 schools lost 91, showing; a net gain of 200. One hundred scholars joined the Church during the year, and 39 schools show 742 scholars as Church merobe-s, but wo feel sure that some at least of the other 41 have soma Church members amongst their scholars. There are 23 Endeavour Societies, with 8-18 members. The branches of tho Band of Hope number 17, with 1010 members. Only two of the city schools have Bands of Hope*. Several schools return the numbers on the cradle roll, and it is evident that this useful institution is developing. Inspection of City Schools. The following is, a summary of the report of Mr. H. D. Grocott, a visitor, for the-city schools:—ln some cases the staff was sufficient and capable, but in a num.ber of schools tbero was a lack of teachers,' especially of the male sex. The work is carried on with zeal and devotion, a general desire being shown to improve tho methods in operation, and to put the accommodation and apparatus at tho disposal of the schools to tho best posst'ole use. I think that in many schools tho appointment of a leader of the singing would do much to brighten the service of praise, and thus makj the schools more attractive, particularly to the elder scholars. I noted with pleasure that one school had provided a separate building for a class of> the poorer chik.re.i, in which splendid work was being done. The scholars numbered about 60, and took-an enthusiastic interest in their own class, l'here is reason to believe, that they would not, have joined the school had there been no special provision for them. . This school also holds a "teachers' tea," with much success. Among tho special features ill different schools were an "early" coupon system, "new scholar" cards, and a "highest attendance" banner for classcs. At many schools a wall-sheet showing the Ten Commandments was exhibited. Tho use of the blackboard appeared to be almost general in the lower classes, while many schools pro. vided small armchairs for tho infants. At two schools tho card system of attendance registor is in operation with much success. Uno school has the kindergarten in its most modern form, the tcaehors regular meetings for the study of their work. Mr. H. J. Thompson has also visited many ot the suburban schools, and furnishes' a gratifying report thereon. A Visitor from Abrosd. Diiring the year wo had a visit from Mr. ft. H. utaiio, who is connected' with the India Sunday SchooJ Union. Ho held children s Evangelistic services in Newtown Ihorndori, tho city, and Petone. All were well attended, and a number of the scholars professed conversion. All who sent their names in to Mr. Stanes or the secretary rcceivo each month a printed letter from Mr. stanes and two of hi 3 friends. Tho secretary of tho International Bible Heading Association, reports an increaso of dl members. There are now 49 branches'and , members, lhe secretary has to send cards ns far south as Ashburton, and up to Waitara. During the year letters have been received from brancnes in schools of all denominations, stating that they have received much benefit from the readings and "hints." .With the hope that members will take an interest in the work in other parts of the noild, the 1.8. R.A. Messenger," a quarterly magazine, has been sent free of charge to all branch secretaries. In every school where 10 porsons can be got to join, a branch may be formed.- Superintendents who have no branch in their school, are stiongly advised to send a postcard to Mr. d,', if ii rso "?> ' Brooklyn, who will gladly send full particulars of the organisation. Examinations. The scholars' examination was again sucseh™' 'r?™ 6 ! n " mbf T "Presented themsencs (i 53) haviug been larger than on any previous occasion. One hundred and tbirtvone candidates gained prizes and first-class certificates, 137 gained second-class certificates and 256 third-class. The examiners were JLa Helycr, Miss C. E. Kirk Ms t>. W. Darvall. Air. T. H. Gill M A 1,7, a and Mr. W. 1 Glasgow. They exp'roEs satmittwl°ngHV> £ I? SUItS 0t the worl{ subnutted, although tnere would appear to he room for improvement in tho hitrher grades ~.J?ni Pnze V U I C u cprt,ficate s.were presented to -r.holais of the city-and suburban schools Octnb l,f ? h f fl , ,n St. John's Church on Uctobc. i, at which an able and interr-stin" address was given by Bev. Alex. {vh vto ° A j> of . Ha ,l ecck Tho successful scholars in Palmerston and neighbourhood leceivod their awards from his Excellency w '" nket . at a public meeting in that toy n. Our sincere thanks aro tendered to tat examiners for the able and thorouch manner in which they performed their lhn| S ' ti ° iurt!icr encourage tho « oornimttn ? has decided that, l.i . 'ii 56 - seounn S. 40 per cent, of marks shall receive a certificate. Teachors' Diplomas. On the recommendation of our union, tho London Sunday School Union awarded diplomas of honour to Miss Kirk, Mrs T (1 Carr, Captain Taylor, and Messrs. Charles Godber and Thomas i'ettit. Captain Taylor who was awarded a diploma, deserves social menticin, as he has been superintendent nf tho Tawa Flat Primitivo Methodist School for o4 5 ears. Schools which have teachers who have served in any school for 25 consecutive years, .should see that these faithful servants receive a diploma. Tho Blackboard Class, which the union arranged with the Technical Education Hoard to conduct last winter, is again being carried on, andi any teacher interested in the work is urged to join. The work Onfv nnl" lf St i ng - Very instr Uctive, Only one school availed itself of the grant of. library boolis at one-third published prices. Any school can start or «Sh a library on favourable terms by apnlvinir for the grant which the parent Sn is only too willing to give, dtir six bSxes of books, which are used as loan libraries aro not at present in use, and are avai'laWo for any school, whether affiliated or not 0 there is no library the charge-is 10s' per'annum. s s -tus. lni"; n COn ? lasinn ,' ma , y statc tllat ™ are looking forward to a happy and nrofitih!* convention at Palmerston during Easter • c ' lar " again been fortunate in recejv ing generous aid from Churches in the use °[ ii'.'. ai,cl fro[ " tho school committer<i atJM h s Street Clyde Quay, kJC 'S fi* +i, • Use ? f conv ®nient rooms t i ) examination. Tho managors nf John s Church continue to provfde a cont fmtable i room for committee meetings, for all of unich help we extend hearty thanks.