DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 456, 15 August 1919, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

PAPATOETOE. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. The 66th annuel meeting of St John's Church, Papatoetoe, was held on Monday evening, the Rev C. E, Porter presiding. The reports of the Fnox Session, Women's Missionary Union, Bible Class, and Sunday r>bool, revealed much good work attempt~d and done during the year. The Women's Missionary Union hnsJtlOl in bond toward the support o c a nursing sister for the Indian Mission. So far the F.M. Committee has been unable to fiud a nurse for this christianlike work

The New Church building fund stands at £'2,2.'37, and it was decdied to aim at lidding £.500 to this amount during the year, rs a thank-offering for the return of peace. The managers wHI begin the new Church building as soon as the industrial conditions become more stable.

The meeting decided to increase the Minister's salary by £oo a year. The Moderator of the Auckland Presbytery (Rev George Budd) de livercd a most encousaging and inspiring address, in which he urged tho congregation to face the great opportunities of the new times with courage, determination, and hope The Church must not be content with the .shallows, but must "launch out into the deep." She must get he neath the surface, until f-he finds the deep things of God ; she must realise the boundless possibilities of service, that were right here with the return of peace and the unsettled state of the world.

The ladies provided refreshments, and a most cardial meeting was closed by the Minister pronouncing the benediction.

WELCOME nOME. A " welcome home" social to eleven of our returned boys was holo iu the Town Hall on Wednesday, August 13th. Number 13 may be unlu.'ky, but it did not happen so in this case ; it was a glorious night, and the social was an urqa' ; fied success, seme 300 ladies and gents attending. Mr J. Watson, Chairman of the Town Board, in a happy speech, gave "the boys" a glad welome home, as he had known most of them from boyhood; also, strefsing the fact that New Zealand would want all her young manhood for the upbuilding of the country. The names of the guests of the evening were Messrs Bradstreet, Brown, Bum-ride, Burton (2), Cutforth, Coghlan, Davis, Edmonds, Frost, and Stoupe. Songs were rendered by Misses Fairgrave, Gallagher, Madigan, and Mr Heather, encores having to be given in each case. Hawthorn's orcheetra played gcod tilting music, and the floor being in perfect condition, it is not surprising that old and young were soon tripping the bght fantastic, which was kept up till the early hoifs, The Rev Porter spoke a few words of welcome, and said, in the course of his remarks, that Mr Entrican, D'puty Mayor of Auckland, had suggested to hru that the residents of Papatoetoe enteitain some 200 of the crew of F.M.S New Zealand during Lord Jel'icoo's visit. Mr Porter called f->r a .'how of hands of those ready to assist. The ladies rose en masse, which augers well for the success of the function.