WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL, LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 587, 6 May 1876, Page 3

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL, LYTTELTON.

On Thursday evening last the anniversary of this school was held in the schoolroom and chapel, Lyttelton. On the previous Sunday the Rev Mr Berry had preached special sermons both morning and evening, the collections after which, amounting to £ll, had been devoted to the Sunday schools. A tea meeting was held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening last. No less than twelve tables, provided by Mesdames Allen, John Wood, Bradley, Kenner, Chambers, Cathro, Hester, Robinson, G, Jenkins, Higgs, and the bachelors (who found two), occupied the room. It was six o’clock before tea commenced, at which 300 were present. An adjournment was then made to the chapel, where the annual meeting was to be held. The chapel bad been well arranged for the meeting ; at the end a scaffolding had been erected, on which, tier above tier, were seated the young ladies attending the Sunday school, the harmonium, presided over by Miss Ellen Kenner, being placed nearly at the summit. The Rev Mr Lee occupied the chair, and was supported by the Revs Morley and Crump. After a few preliminary remarks from the chair, the secretary read the annual report, which showed there were 309 scholars on the books, an increase of the number since last year. The Rev Mr Crump having addressed the meeting at length, and conclude! amid applause, the chairman rose and said he had one very pleasing duty to perform. There were many ladies who were good enough to devote a portion of their time towards teaching in the Sunday school, and there was one in particular who, for fifteen years had devoted herself to the instruction of the senior classes. Some of the elder scholars had resolved to present Mrs Allen with some token of their respect and esteem, and had therefore bought a silver cake-basket, which he had much pleasure in asking Miss Brownell to hand to Mrs Allen. [Loud cheers.J The cake-basket, which was a very handsome one, was then handed to Mrs Allen. The Rev Mr Morley, in a humourous speech—which caused

much laughter—returned thanks for Mrs Allen, after which he addressed a few further remarks to those present. The chairman said there was yet another testimonial to be presented. The parents of the children attending the Sunday School had clubbed together to make a present to Mr J. S. Olliver, the superintendent of the Sunday School. He would call upon Mr Kenner to present it. Mr Kenner came forward amid loud applause, and presented Mr Olliver with a handsome timepiece It bore the following inscription ;—“ Presented to Mr John S. Olliver by the of the children attending the Wesleyan Sabbath School, Lyttelton, as a slight recognition of his valuable services as superintendent. 4th May, 1876.” Mr J. S. Olliver returned thanks for their kind gift. He had been now sixteen years in the Sunday School, and was the oldest teacher there. A collection having been made, the proceeds of which were £4 2s, Mr S. Webb moved a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies providing tea, which was carried with acclamation. The chairman then read the following statement of receipts ; —Sunday collections, £11; proceeds of tea, £l7 10*; night’s collection, £4 2s ; total, £32 12s. The Rev Mr Crump moved a vote of thanks to Mr R. Bradley and the choir and Miss Ellen Kenner, for the excellent music provided. Mr Bradley having briefly returned •hanks the meeting adjourned. Appropriate hymns were excellently sung at interva's during the evening by f he choir and Sunday school children, Mr Bradley conducting, and Miss Ellen Kenner presiding at the harmonium.