MAUKU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 218, 17 October 1916, Page 4

MAUKU.

PRESBYTERIAN JUBTLEE.

A tea and concert was held in the Patumahoe Hall Wednesday evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Presl yterian Church at Mauku Members of the Church had been working strenuously for several days previously to render the celebrations a success and when one looked on all the good things that were crowded iuto the function there was no doubt but that their efforts were well rewarded. Tea was laid out in a most appetising manner and all the dainties that were displayed and to which sujh justice was done were manufactured by the Mauku ladies. The hall and tables were tastefully decorated and promptly at 7 p.m the tables were filled with an appreciative and probably hungry audience. However, in a few minutes' time there was no occasion for anyone to be hungry the ladies being most attentive as waitresses.

About 8.15 p.m. the tables were cleared and the hall was fitted out for the musical and speech-making programme. The Rev. S. Nixon presided and in the course of his remarks outlined the progress of the Presbyterian Church at Mauku. Quoting from a copy of the Daily Southern Cross of (September 1860 he gave a few interesting reminiscences of the early days as follows : '' The Presbyterian Church was fiist opened for .Divine Service on October 16th by the Rev. T. Norrie, who preached a suitable discourse to a large attendance of residents of the neighbourhood and adjacent districts. This building has very quickly and quietly appeared and presents another and very interesting feature in this rising and rapidly-improving district. Only a few months ago that a building committee was appointed consisting of Messrs Hutchison, Finlay and Smart and already their active efforts have been crowned with success. The building is very neat and commodious and reflects great credit on all concerned. The site consisting of an acre of ground is a free gift of Wm. Finlay Esq., of

Edinburgh, the position is a very central and picturesque one being immediately adjoining the immigration settlement of Patumahoe and at the junction of the road leading to the Lower Mauku. The building has been erected at a cost of £lO7 and already some £92 has been collected. The new settlers and immigrants have given liberally with donations and labour and the ladies of the district iu addition to assisting otherwise have supplied a neat pulpit. The Rev. Mr Arnot, the Minister for the district, will officiate once a fortnight. The building will also bo used as a schoolroom and Mr McKee has been secured as schoolmaster and an attendance of 30 day scholars promised. A Sunday School has also been established with four teachers and 25 scholars."—These and other details gave some of the present generation an idea what an event the building of this church was iu the early days. Mr Climie, in a few well-chosen words bade farewell to those present this being his last attendance as he goes into camp next week. The Bev. J. B. Suckling, Methodist Minister for the district, congratulated the Presbyterian people on their anniversary and the pro gress their Church had made during the past 50 years. The following items were renderel by some talented performers and met with rounds of applause all having to respond to encores : —Pianoforte solo, Miss Warin ; song, Mr W. Johns ; recitation, Joyce Wright ; song, Mrs Keane ; duet, Mrs Keane and Miss Rodgers; song, Mr Climie ; duet, the Misses Wright; choir, " St. George's Edinburgh " ; solo, Miss Galiowiy ; recitation, Rev. Suckling ; song, Mr W. Guthrie; song, Miss Rodger?.