PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 93, 16 May 1913, Page 3

PAPAKURA.

THE TRAIN SERVICES.

Although Papakura is the terminus of the suburban train traffic it cannot ba contended that this township i 3 very well served by suburbaa trains. The material advantage has been the reduction in fares to town. Under the new railway time-table some alterations are made of in tersest to Papakura and PuHekohe. The £.57 a.m. Auckland to Papatoetoe train will now run right through to Papakura, arriving here at 10.5 a.m. The present 9.55 a.m. Papakura to Auckland train will leave at 10.12 a.m, arriving at Auckland at 11.21 a.m. A train will have Auckland daily at 12.83 pm. for Papakura,* arriving hire at 1.45. The train will be run on as a mixed train fur passengers and freight as far as Pukekohe, reaching there at 2.30 p.m. It will be noticed that the "speeding up" of the r.oon train, for which the people of Pukekohe and Drury have been clamojring, is to be accomplished. BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS. A demonstration by the Bible-in-State-Schools League was held in the pablic hall on Thursday evening, Mr E. D. McLennan in the chair. The Rev. I. Jolly, vice-president of tbe League, was present t) explain what was desired ia connection with the movmsiit and gave a very interesting address. During the course of bis remarks he pointedly referred to tbe inconsistency of those opposed to tbe introduction of Bible lessons into the schools, especially on tbe part of all Britishers. The .-Bible ia found at the Coronation of •£the King, prayers are said at the opening of Parliament, snmons are preached and religious addresses are delivered at allirilifazy carrps. The Bible is also found, and even provided by the authoritiey, at all hospitals and gsols, hut is altogether excluded from the schools, where it would do the greatest amount of good In helping to form the characters of the pupils and train thsm to become good and lawabiding citizens. Reference was made to the good results achieved in the neighbouring colonies, where, he said, the criminal statistics proved without a doubt that the introduction of these Bible lessons into the schools had been the means of lessening crime and disorders. The Rev. W. C. Wood, electoral secretary for FraDklin, followed on comewbat similar lines. He explained the intention of the framer of the original Education Act of 1877, and showed by extracts from the speeches delivered at tbat time that there was co desire to shut Bible out of the schools. He referred to the loyal support given to that Act by the various churches, some going so far as to cluse their own Behcols in order that the pupils ■hould attend the State schools. Reference was made to the objections raised that the syllabus was already overcrowded, the conscience caa:e for tescbers, the proselytizing of the children, the apathy of tne clergy in the past, as well as to the success and tbe smooth working of the innovation in Australia. A vote of thanks to the chairman and speakers, moved by the Rev. D. Madill, brought a very successful meeting to a close.