METHODIST CHILDREN HOLD ANNIVERSARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 216, 1 December 1927, Page 13

METHODIST CHILDREN HOLD ANNIVERSARY

CENTRAL MISSION FUNCTION Eighty children, dressed In their best, sitting down to tea. Eighty children, all nicely behaved, eating their way steadily through piles of sandwiches and cakes and other tempting foods. children, almost frantic with excitement, talking and chattering until the noise became deafening. That, briefly, was the scene in the hall at the Methodist Central Mission, Airedale Street, last evening, where the Mission Sunday School celebrated its 78th anniversary. It was impossible to keep the children still or quiet. A tea party, with a prize-giving ceremony to follow, was too much for them. Flags and greenery, gay bowls of flowers and coloured streamers decorated the hall. When the meal was over tables were cleared and the hall arranged for the prize-giving. There were several recitations, one by an energetic little lady of six or seven, who was terribly anxious to be heard, and another by a little Chinese girl with a beautiful speaking voice. All day the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour and his band of helpers had been working to get everything in readiness, and if enthusiasm is any criterion, their efforts were well repaid by the children. Everything was applauded deafeningly. „ ... Among the helpers were Mrs. King, who has attended the anniversaries tor the past 62 years, and Mr. L. \V. Gladding who has been secretary for 30 years. Sister Olive was there, answering the eager little questioners all the afternoon and evening. Among the many thousands who have passed through the Mission Sunday School are many men who have made their mark in the world. One of them, perhaps the most famous, was Lieut.-Commander Sanders, V.C. The Sunday School was for many years controlled by the late Mi. Goldie, and on Sunday Mrs. King and Miss Landrum placed flowers on his grave in memory of him.