Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 103, 17 September 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

]'rn"i our resident reporter. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH A very pleasing report was submitted at the annual meeting recently of the Primitive Methodist Sunday'' School worker.,. The statement showed 142 names on tlie roll, an increase of 15 for the year, ami the "cradle roll" contained 115 names, of which 59 were of children under three years of age. The new "gradual lessons" were being used in this department and also in some of the other grades. The report chronicles the (success of the 1 oung Ladies' Bible Class, with a membership of 25, under the capable leadership of Mrs. Metson. There is also a young men's Bible class. There were now thirteen officials, of whom ten were teachers. "We have formed in connection with the Sunday School in the last four months," says the report, "an 'Anti-Cigarette League,' the object of which is to get the. boys to pledge themselves to abstain from cigarette-smoking until they are 21 years of age. At the present time we have the name of 21 scholars on the anti-cigarette roll." During the year the Band of Hope had united with the Wesley Band of Hope. The school had a library of 150 volumes. During the year the school raised for missions £2 12s 3d, for backblocks Sunday Schools (outside Taranalci) lGs lOd, and for the support of an orphan in the Primitive Methodist Orphanage in England 10s 3d. The total income for the i year was £2!) 13s I'/Cd/and the expendi- i ture £25 13s 3d. leaving a credit balance J in hand of £3 19s lO^Cd. WESLEY GUILD The ladies of the Wesley Guild met last Wednesday at the residence of Mrs. George Bond. The president (Rev. A. Reader) opened with Bible-reading and prayer, after which the secretary (Mrs. W. Clempw) read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. Then followed an interesting discussion on Church matters. Mrs. Bond and Miss Cameron sang arid Mrs. Lampen recited, all of which items gave great pleasure to the listeners. The meeting closed in the usual way. The next meeting is to be held at Mrs. 11. J. Hopkins' on the second Wednesday of next month. PERSONAL. At St. Michael's, Christchurch, recently, Mr. Arthur P. Staples, of Stratford, was married to Miss Olive Staples, only daughter of Mr. S. A. Staples, of "EllerSlie," Christchurch. Mr. and Mrs. Staples spent their honeyrrfon in-North Canterbury, afterwards coming to Stratford via the Wairarapa district. The Rev. Father Maples, of Petone, has been appointed to Stratford. The health of the Rev. Father Treacy is still unsatisfactory. Mr. T. Sullivan, borough overseer, .leaves tliis morning for Hawkc's Bay, on a three weeks' holiday. Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Liardet, and Mr. P. F. Ralfe, left for Wellington by yesterday morning's express. Mr. P. Burgess, of the local staff of the Agricultural Department, is about again, having successfully wrestled with the mumps. " STRAY PARAGRAPHS. At the W.Y.M.I. Tennis Club's annual meeting to-night members will be asked to discuss matters pertaining to the future home of the club. A proposal is afools to lay down courts in Victoria Park. The alterations to the Parish Ilall are to fit the building for the purposes of the Church Preparatory High School and for •the better accommodation of the Sunday School. A plain and fancy dress ball is to be held at Whangamomona on the last Friday in October, under the auspices of the cricket and football clubs in the Whangamomona district. Dr. Paget made a gallant attempt yesterday to carry off the telegraph pole which has for many years withstood all similar attacks on the Commercial Hotel corner. The motor-car was the worse for the impact, lamps and splashboards suffering considerably, and one tyre being ripped. Asked what caused the smash, if the steering gear failed, Dr. Paget laconically exclaimed, "I don't know. , All I know is that I smashed into the post." The motor-car doctor. Mr, Bert Harkness. was on the scene within a few seconds of the accident, and the injured car received skilful attention at his hands. A burst in the water-main occurred on Sunday in the middle of broadway. Muiips continue to claim their victims. A fel row wouldn't mind the complaint so much if it only had a decent name. But mumps! It's atrocious. Cases are recorded in which almost whole families are "down" with the complaint. Children take to them like ducks to water, but with adults there seems to be a tendency to develop serious symptoms. A meeting of the officials of the Methodist churches in Stratford discussed very fully the best means of utilising the properties of the churches as a united church. Various schemes were suggested, and negatived, and eventually it was decided to take no further steps in the matter for a year. Upon the consummation of union, the united congregation will worship in the Wesley Church, and the united Sunday School will meet in the Primitive Methodist Church building. BERNARD'S PICTURES No one who enjoys cinematograph entertainments should fail to see the programme at present being screened at 11 is Majesty's Theatre. The chief feature is a sensational photo-drama by the American Biograph Co., entitled. "A Beast at Bay." It is, however, a healthy sensationalism, that grips the onlooker as if in a vice. Imagine a whole railway system being held up in order that an express engine may be chartered to pursue a flying automobile, and you will gain some idea of the hair-raising intensity of this picture. Closely following this A.B. feature is a Vitagraph life portrayal, '"The Telephone Girl." The thrilling experience of a telephone girl, who sticks to her post in a burning building until everybody gets out safely, is fine. Other dramatic studies -are "Home Folks." another A.B. feature, and a modern and thoroughly original picture play by the Kulem players. "The Banker's Daughter." A film of striking interest is included, entitled, "The Motor Bandits." dealing with the last days and death of this notorious band of Parisian criminals. "Famous Rivers" is a remarkable good scenic film.