A DOUBLE BARRELLED FUNCTION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 525, 23 April 1920, Page 2

A DOUBLE BARRELLED FUNCTION

WELCOME TO NEW MINISTERS. AND SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The lviiiiii'ii in connexion with Tlit? :!Sth anniversary of the Pukekohe Methodist Sanday School, and a welcome to Rev Oipheit (successor to Rev J. F. Martin) and Rev Hooper (who lias been appointed the Metho,lisl Home Missionary at Bombay), was held in the Methodist Church on Tuesday evening. In spite of the threatening climatic conditions the church was crowded.

In the early part of the evening the usual tea was pa 'taken of by a large number of Sunday School scholars, parents and friends. Subsequently the social evening and welcome was presided over by Mr. F. Day. a prominent member of the church. Mr. Day referred to the object of the gathering, after which a suitable hymn was rendered, followed by a prayer by Rev Olphert. Secretary's Report. The secretary of the Sunday School (Mr. C. H. Mee) lead his annual report as follows: "We are celebrating our 08th anniversary, and are thankful to our Heavenly Father for all his mercies and blessings for another year. The Sunday School has

an efficient staff of teachers, who attend to their duties regularly Sunday after Sunday. Two new teachers recently joined, one Miss Mutton who has joined the infant class and who is a great help to the Sunday School. At present there are eight teachers—six ladies and two gentlemen. The school roll contained 00 names, and the attendance and conduct of scholars was excellent, lin -

ing the year there were 49 days of school, and quite a large number of bcholais had not missed a solitary Sunday. They were deeply sorry to 'nave to record the death of a prominent scholar, the late Master Albert Short. Deceased was one of the most regulai* attending scholars. They

had in connexion with the Sunday School an 1.8. R.A., which had a membership of 36, mostly parents of Sunday School Scholars. The subscription to the association was now due, and subscriptions may be paid to the secretary, Mi'. Mee. There were many things necessary which would greatly assist the Sunday School." Referring to the school library Mr. Mee said a number of the books were not suitable, and further most of these had been read and reread until they were now threadbare. They could not see their way clear to obtain fresh books. The report suggested a birthday chair for the infant class. This wouid take among the little ones. The child whose birthday occurs during the week would occupy the chair on the Sunday. The Sunday School had not been able to obtain a superintendent, but Mr. Robert Vant and Mr C. M. Mee had carried on the, work to the best of their ability. Treasurer's Report.

The treasurer's report showed a credit balance on the year's wo. king of 5:3 15s 9i 2 d. Cradle Roll Report..

The above roll showed a membership of 118. Of this number 45 have been removed from the toll, two have died, while others have left the district or wese attending schools elsewhere. Since last repoi t 21 names have been added. Cradie roll birthday cards we.'e presentc-ii

for the first, second ami third years. In the fourth year Ui little ones are expected to comirrente attendant c at the Sunday School. Some .wen? unable to do so as they were living too far away. Teachers jvere always pleased to welcome new scholars, and parents are urged to send the little ones on Sunday afternoons. The reports were all received. The chairman (Mr. F. C. Day) congratulated the school 011 attaining its 38th anniversary. H" was pleased to mention that lh*y had with them that evening Mr. Crov:ther, the first Sunday School superintendent some 38 years ago. Sun day School work was highly important work. Frlly 80 per cent. 01

members of the church first attend

Ed the Sunday School. The school should have every possible attention, ami an el fort should be made to put ,1 stop to the leakage that goes on

betwetn the Sunday School and the church. Children .it iiJ. I■' and 1")

yea k afte*> Scnday Sch . seemed to lose interest arid fnrget lci ntir.ue to support the church. I' was imperative that they should lo<>U .•Iter them and emphasise the nee, of ail ending church. No one was tor ( l-.l to attend Sunday School. lie welcomed. both mlniste s, and e.%hope that their ro i(!ence:Srihis circultkvould be peaixI'e I antFcomfortable. -The circuit was

f:■ r too large for one ministe. 1., control, and it was deemed a<!\is. .!" to solicit support. They looked t the next 12 months to be very fruitful indeed. Rev -J. P. Co\vi.■ (Anglic".n irtnter iii Pukekohe) extended a hearty welcome to his new colleagues on behalf of the Anglicans of Pukekohe. Rev. Olphivt, he said, was no sti.;nger to him as he had met him some 17 or 18 years ago in a mining community. He knew many things nhoul him, all of which were good things. The newcomer had shown considerable kindness to the sick, and as a result of his kindness to th-J sic' was accorded a seat on th* Wr.'hi Hospital Board. He extended a heaity and warm weleor'.e, an 1 conclude*?' by remarking that if Revs. O'phert and Hooper and the spr:r-;e:' looked after the aged and sick people properly they would not have r..u h ti lie to throw stones at one nnothe".

Captain Jenkins, of the Solvation Army, eulogised the kindness shovvn by the Rev. Oij>hi it during Lis stay at Te Awamutu some time ago, and on behalf of the Salvation Army extended a most hearty welc< ni.-. .Mi 1 . John Patteisi n, < n behalf «• F the trustees of the ci.u.'cii, welcomed the two new ministers. The Pukekohe liicaU was; a hag' r.r.c ar.d both would (inci plenty of work to d'i. Th.'.v were all in for real <jv >< t ,ine, and he heivv' that Clod's Hewing Would ! 'iidi. til-'.II il tin i. lillia. t rations.

Messrs. A. I. Poi.le (l'omb..y) G. Hvt roft (Karaka) added testiitf. : .* to lL- nts . -i-• v! !>;/ otspeakers. C. H. Mee, on behalf of the Sunday Scho >l. extended a wvrm \ve!- ■ omc

Rev. S. Nix. ii. ir'ha'f of II - P.vshyterians of the district, welcomed the iv-wciiH i. He stated ihat he had been here for some year--and had seen mute a number of Methodist ministers come and ko i[c recollected Re\s Duke. 1 ?, Blamires Frost. Martin and now Rev Cipher l .. It was a case of "'ministers may come and ministers may go. bu': 1 (Nixon) slick on ioiever." He aysure', Ri / Olphiri that his new cirtii;t was ,i e (>l ,d one, and it wouid take a mightv good offer to induce tne speako. 1 to leave this lovely little district. Rev. Olphert would find the Method's! s of Pukekohe warmhearted and friendly people. He nui come to one of the beauty spots oi New Zealand. In conclusion. Mr Nixon trusted that Mr. Olphert's stay he.re would be a most pleasant any (.imfortabie one.

Rev. O'ph.: t tlv nl:ed 11 vi the hearty welcome extender. He was pleased to see such a large attendance, particularly .on such a boisterous night. In view of the weather