SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 33, 30 April 1915, Page 4

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

The Pukekohe Methodist Sunday School celebrated its 33rd Anniversary on Sunday last in. the Methodist Church, when special services were held during the day. The Rev. A. C. Lawry, of St. John's Church Ponsonby, who officiated, delivered stirring addresses to splendid congregations which included a large number of juvenile members, who followed the preacher most attentively. On Monday evening the Anniversary social was held in the Church, the attendance being very large. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Geo. Frost, who, after a hymn by the children, opened the meeting with prayer. The secretary, Mr C. H. Mee, presented the report which read as follows " Our Sunday School is now celebrating its thirty-third Anniversary. The number of teachers on the roll is ten, fulfilling fifteen positiuns as follows : Superintendent, Mr Hubbard ; Ist Class boys, Mr Pilkington ; Ist class girls, Mrs Comrie ; 2nd class boys, Miss Goldswoithy (also organist) ; 2nd class girls, Miss Routlev (also organist and Cradle Roll superintendent) ; 3rd class boys, Mr Hunter; 3rd class girls, Miss Pilkington (also organist) ; Infant class, Miss Usher ; librarian and International Bible Reading Association secretary, Mr C. H. Mee; assistant secretary, Mr Fred Hunter; treasurer, Mr C. Rowe. The attendance of the teachers has been very good all the year. The number of scholars on the roll : January Ist, 1914, 53 ; joined during the year, 15 ; total 68. Average attendance per Sunday 41. One notable instance is one of the senior scholars has become a teacher, and vre hope that other scholars will soon follow her example. I regret to say that the Home Lessons Leaflets are not done so well as they ought to be, and hope parents will bear this in mind. We have 36 members of the 1.8. R.A. consisting of parents, teachers and scholars, and extend a hearty invitation to -parents to join our Association The annual Sunday School picnic was held as usual on Boxing Day and a very enjoyable time was spent on Mr Koose's farm which was again kindly placed at our disposal. The library contains 120 books, 20 new volumes having been added during the year. The teachers are contemplating app'ying for a grant of library books from the Sunday School Union. A library case has just been purchased, and when the new books arrive it is hoped that the library will be much better used than it is at present. The number of scholars is increasing and the need for adequate accommodation is causing us anxiety. At present there is not room for all the classes and a room formerly a shelter shed is being used. Still we are thankful to God for all his mercies and blessings and are looking forward to a useful, happy and prosperous new year." A very satisfactory report on the "Cradle Holl" was submitted by Miss Routley. The programme was as follows, all acquitting themselves creditably : Recitations, Nelson Mee, Moira Lodge, Allan Patterson, Herbert Vaat, Hazel Laundy ; solo by Jean Hunter; action song by Jean Hunter, Doris, Moira and Ayleen Lodge; and three hymns by the scholars.

A very interesting feature of the proceedings was the distribution of prizes to the children for lessons and attendance. Almost every boy and girl on last year's register earned a prize. Robert Vant and Grace Comrie each gained 100 per cent of marks. Marks required for first prizes are 90 per cent; for second prizes, 75 per cent; for third prizes, 60 per cent. In the infant or primary department, 75 per cent was required for first prizes; 50 per cent for second prizes; and 25 per cent for third prizes.

During the evening Mr J. Blake, superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School, and Captain Christofsen, of the Salvation Army, in neat speeches congratulated the teachers and scholars on the excellent report of the year's work, and wished them a prosperous future. Other speakers were Messrs Pilkington and Hubbard.

After the Doxology had been sung, appetising refreshments were partaken of and thoroughly appreciated. The amount of the credit balance of the Methodibt Chuch Sunday School is £3 16a lid. The total receipts from the anniversary services amounted to £8 9a 2d. Special thanks was accorded Mr F. Ashurst for his seryices in training the scholars who acquitted themselves well Under his conductorship, and to Rev. A. C. Lawry for his inspiring addresses.