PUNGAREHU.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 88, 16 April 1902, Page 2

PUNGAREHU.

StfCOESSFUfi STONSMAYING CEREMONY. f ISB.OM OUR OWN COKEESPOKDEST. The corner etones of the Methodist Church were kid on Thursday, 10 h inat. The site is opposite the polio station hill on the me'al road leading to tbe factory. It is almost ideal for a place of worship. The ceremony was commenced by hymn 990 ; * portion of j scripture was read, and prayer offered. Rev. W. Gannell was asked by Rev. J. H. White to lay tbe first stone. Reference to Mr Cannoh'i resWenca iu Opunake when Pungafehu formed part of that circuir, his kindnnig in the initiation and early days of the coast miesion, history and earn< at life of ministry in the Mejthodist Ohurcb ; the many local friends who held hi a in affectionate esteem, ail combined to make it most fitting he should fill his place that day. Rev. W. Caunell jaid be had muoh pleasuie in congratulating the friends in the district on the erection of churches wherain to worship God. In the spaea of so few years to 1» building the fourth church in the district was, he believed, without a parallel in the colony. Such givers and workers were wanted everywhere in New Zealand.*

Mrs Rutherford, as a membur of another church, dulighted the committee by manifesting her catholicity in yielding to their request to lay tite second stone. Her address waa h-ppy and kindly. She was honoured by the invitation: glad to be present and express her goodwill, though she felt one mora worthy might have hotter filled her place, Her prayer was that the church might be a great bVsing, Mr James of Fitzroy, wat to have laid the third atone. H* had eent his donation, and at the last moment hi* Worship the Mayor of New Plymouth most kindly consented to act on his bulla.f.

Mr Dockrill, addressing the company said he had watebed with interest the wonderful progress of the coast district. He paid a well-deserved tribute to Rev. Mr Brown, whose decease before the mission began bad left tho wholt district without ar y Protastaot pastoral attention, and t.< see the churches whern previously none existed, rising in almo-it every township spoke volumes for Mr White's energy and the generosity of the people amongst whom ba dwelt. Na- : tioual el vat,ion in the future largely depended on the work the Churches of Christ were doing. » . Mr Carter laid, the fourth stone. He spoke of the improved observance of the S tbbaih as well as provision of places of worship that bad resulted, and how glad he was to have this opportunity of meeting the friends present and to hear of the sucesss s.> far attained in their enterprise. The sione-layera all placed donations on the stones and a collection wa< taken up on the ground, resulting in over £l2 being placed to credit. Rev S. J. b'erpell, superintendent 1 , then delivered an eloquent addrexs. Hrt said here was an hdsw<t to thogwho said Oaristimity wis a spe:.i. force. The buildiog of th<'sa churches, and the raising by the Methodist. Church in her century funis in Britain, America, and the colonies of millions of h ird cash for aggressive work was a complete and convincing proof that Christinnity was not span", but renewing h»r growth. He referred to the receut change of name through Methodist Union that the word " W*sleyan " had been dropped, and we we e now the "Methodist Church of Australasia." As Methodists we were " the friwnds of all, the enemies vf none." The company then adjourned to the Public Hall for'tea. During tea a vote of thanks was pissed to the j stonelayers, an} responded to by Rev. j |C&nnell and Messrs Dockrill and! I Carter'. . -i i

In tbe evening at the public meeting, at which Mr White presided, the Rev.' S. J. Serpall gave an < exa-sllent end sterling address to youus; men.' Several musical items were ren'i»r d, &od r*freahmsnta served. Goodwill, &teemt and towards Mr and W.s Symons (who have been the soul' ( of th building nn'erprize), werw (•Kpr*-«--fd unanimously by h a'and'tig resolution to which Mr Symons re-ponded. Th« total proceeds were over £ls exoeid'ing the committee's estimate, and would have much lrg>r had it been a perfectly fio« da_\. A phot. >- graph of the stonelayers and frioidt prwseut was taken by Mr 6. Herbert White, of N"iw A veiy kind letter and contribution camn fn m tha Sanior Circuit Stewart, Mr Wliitaker.