CHURCH JUBILEE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 89, 26 September 1938, Page 2

CHURCH JUBILEE

x REUNION AND SOCIAL LYRIC HALL PACKED Tiie Presbyterian ' Diamond Jubilee Reunion and Social was lield under happy auspices in the Lyric Hall on Friday evening. The Rev. A. CHampton presided over a gathering which filled the building and which was representative not only of our Opotiki district but of the Bay of Plenty generally] It was appropriate that people should come from Tancatua, Wliakatane and the llangitaiki as well as Te Puke, because it was from Opotiki that Presbyterian church life had its impetus in the early days. Under the inspiration of the Rev. John Gow and of the Rev. Charles Worboys services were held at Wliakatane and Taneatua. The preachers were geneually young farmers J; P. Murray and Mr J. B. Gow) who made the arduous rido from Opotiki to conduct the services. Later on settlers from Opotiki who had had their upbringing in the Presbyterian Church went to the Opouraio Valiev, Wliakatane and the Rangitaiki Plains and helped to further church life in the new locality. Some of these and their children swelled the gathering in —the Lyric Hall on Friday night.

The gathering on Friday opened with praise anil thanksgiving and the Rev. K. Watson of Wliakatane offered prayer- Greetings were read by Mr Hampton who welcomed all present. The choir sang a glee under the conduetorsliip of Mr John Puryer and after a song from Mr Bert Holmes the important function of the Diamond Jubilee Cake was carried but. Mesdaines T. Abbot and F. P. Drury with Messrs J. B. Gow and G. S. Moody were on tlie platform by invitation. Mrs Drury and Mr Gow (brother and <-ister) blew out the 60 candles and Mrs T. Abbot ((the oldest communicant member) cut the cake amid much applause. Mr Moody then entertained the company with a racy speech reminiscent of liis early connection with the Sunday School. Mrs T. Steele and Mts A. H. Hilford contributed a duet and Mrs L- Duff a song. Mrs J. Riddell (formerly Miss Kathleen Hird) was enthusiastically received in recitations, as was Mr. R. Semple in a characteristically Scotch rendering of the Scotch song “A Hundred Pipers”. Dr Mail, made a pleasing interlude 'with two numbers on the violin.

It should be mentioned that at an early stage a delightful arrangement of shoulder sprays >vere pinned on the following ladies the audience delighted to honour on the occasion:—Mcsdames Abbot, Drury, Hird and Miss. Budd (now of Auckland). When this ceremony seemed to be over, Mrs Debrecenv, who had made the sprays, came forward unexpectedly, and amid warmly appreciative applause* pinned a spray on Mrs Hampton, who had done much to make the evening a success. The ministers of sister churches in Opofiki were cordially welcomed and in generous terms the Revs. Salt, Wilson and Capt. Kirkpatrick congratulated the Presbyterian Church on its 50 years of life in Opofiki. At a later stage the Very Bov. George Budd, of Auckland, addressed the gathering, summing up the values of such an occasion, at the same time illuminating .his remarks with humorous illustration. Air J. B. Gow followed m happy vein and a heartening and hearty note was struck by?the Bov. A. D.H or well. Mr B. Semple returned thanks for the visitors, telling something of his inspiration from church life in Opofiki.

Supper was oil a grand scale and was an opportunity lor reunions and conversation. Jt was not till a late hour that the last of the visitors broke away and the enthusiastic hand of lady workers (and some men), gathered uj) the fragments. The celebrations will conclude tonight when Mr L. A. Kady, L.R.S.M., of Peres lord Street Congregational Church. Auckland, whose musical ability is well known, will play three brackets of numbers and in addition ■there will be vocal items and choir music.