ENJOYABLE SOCIAL GATHERING

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 26, 9 July 1952, Page 5

ENJOYABLE SOCIAL GATHERING

At St. PauPs Taupo A well attended and enjoyable social evening was held in St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, Taupo, on Fri: day evening, June 27. The purpose of the gathering was to acknowledge appreciation to members and supporters whose aid in money and in kind had made possible improvements in the appearance of the Church property. The Rev. H. W. Johnston welcomed the visitors, and voiced the committee's thanks to young and old for their generous assistance. A programme of music and competitions was enjoyed by all, and an atmosphere of friendliness and good cheer prevailed. A unique feature of the gathering was the presence of five members of the Bay of Flenty Presbtery. The Rev. H. Dodds, Whakatane, a master j story-teller, delighted his audience jwith Scotch impersonations. He also made a fine plea for more realistic I Christian living.

The Very Rev. J. S. Laughton told of incidents during his recent visit of about two years to England for the purpose of seeing the revisecl Maori Bible through the Press. He described graphically scenes around St. P'aul's, London, where, literally, acres of devastation surround the great dome,surmounted by its shining cross, which target alone in that area remained immune, throughout Ihe war years, to enemy bombing. He told also of journeyings through rural England, where the village church still dominates each village scene; of the conviction gained that therein lay the source of England's strength to survive the ominous days of the industrial revolutions and to triumph over the horrors of hardships of later war yeari. Mr Laughton's talk was followed with the utmost interest. A delicious supper was served, after which Mr Osborne thanked the speakers fcr their fme contributions to the evening's 'entertainment, and Mr Price, Oruanui, expressed thanks, in humorous tone, to the ladies and those responsible for arranging so enjoyable a function.