STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1920, Page 7

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NEWS. BTRATFORD AGENCY, Advertisements and items of news for publication should be left at the office of the local representative, \V. J. Wilson, next Union Bank. METHODIST CJIURCH. EXTENSION. ' November 12. . There was a lajge gathering of Stratford Methodist#;St a banquet held in the church schoolroom last night, for the purpose of inaugurating the new forward movement for extinguishing the church debt and extending the operations of the church in the district. The Rev, L. B. Neale presided, and read apologies for unavoidable absence from Mr. R. Masters M.P., the Rev. C. W. Howard, the Rev. .T. Napier-Milne, Mr. Selby, and Mr. Jonas Masters.

A splendid dinner was provided by the church helpers, and the proceedings were enlivened during the early portion of the evening by bright music supplied by Messrs. Lester Bros.' orchestra of ten instruments.

Mr. J. W. Boon, circuit steward, said that the gathering had a two-fold object—first to enable Stratford Methodists to get to know each other, and secondly, to inaugurate a forward movement in connection with the church. The circuit, he added, was now so large that it was quite impossible for one Minister to get round the whole district, and if they were to achieve tlie best results they must get another minister. With this object in view the circuit had bought a parsonage at Midhirst costing £3OO, which, with improvements, would cost about £SGO. Of this amount a deposit of £25 had been paid, and one of the objects of the gathering was to establish a fund for the purpose of paying off the balance, and also wiping off the debit of £213 on the circuit funds, the balance owing on the church property in Broadway (£225), and the debit balance on the Stanley Road Church (£200), a total amount of £1)80. The old Kahauri Bridge Church, which had been erected prior to the Fw.tiW Road Church, was no longer necessary, and it had been sold for £l2O, which amount would go towards paying for the cost of the parsonage at Midhirst. It was now hoped to raise a sum of £IOOO, and to do this it would lie necessary for some of them to dip deep into their pockets. At the same time, added Mr. Boon, the circuit did not wish anyone to give more than he or she could afford, but they wanted as mueh as each one could afford. The fund had already started off well, one gentleman having promised £K>O and others £SO and £2o eacE.

Each of those present was then handed a promissory note and was asked to fill in the amount he or she could afford to give, the promissory notes not to become due until next July. The Rev. L. B. Neale expressed his hearty appreciation of the manner in which tlie ladies had worked in order to make the gathering a success. He said the chief object of the banquet was to develop a spirit of comradeship and friendship amongst the church members and adherents. In his idea the time had arrived when the church must go ahead along the right lines, and any church which did not advance with the times would quickly become decadent. The movement they were initiating, added Mr. Nealc, was really for the benefit of the next generation, they themselves experiencing the good result's of the work of the past generations. Speaking of the possibilities of church extension, Mr. Neale stated that next year they would want a tennis court for the young people, also a hall and gymnasium. The church also was getting old, and he hoped somatime to see it removed and a brick church with a pipe organ in its place. Some of these things migft not be done for another 25 years, but it was necessary to start working right away. Lack of insight and foresidit was, he considered, the greatest hindrance to any Christian church, and he hoped they would all give just as much as they' could afford to give.

The promissory notes were then' collected, and Mr. Neale announced that the amount promised that evening was £350, which with other promises already in made a total of £3OO, a very creditable sum.

During the evening songs were contributed by Mesdamcs S. Robinson and E. F. Hollands.

The gathering concluded with the singing of the Doxologr.

GENERAL. The Stratford Tennis Club opened the season yesterday afternoon, about 70 members being present. The president, Mr. Harold Masters, in declaring the courts open, said that the prospects for the season were exceedingly good, the courts being in satisfactory order, while the membership was complete and a number of applicants were on the waiting list. The afternoon was spent with friendly games. In the evening a "flannel dance" was held in the Parish Hall and was a thoroughly enjoyable affair.' Mrs. Bianchi supplied the music, and Mr. R. G. Jamieson carried out the duties of M.C.

The executive of the Stratford A. and P. Association met last night, the president, Mr. G. Sangster occupying the chair. Fifteen new members were elected, all having joined within the past week. It was decided to hold another working bee next Thursday. A number of matters in connection with the arrangements for the Spring Show on Xovember 24 and 25 were dealt with, ard it was decided to present the trophy for the first place in the open hunters' competition as soon as the event was completed, and also to provide a blackboard for each of the three judging rings the name of the winner to be chalked up as each class is judged. Mr. It. Masters, M.P., returned from Wellington to-night.

Photographs taken now can be finishI ed in good time for posting before j Christmas. Can you think of anything I so personal, so appropriate as a photograph for a cherished gift? Let McAllister do it and it will please both giver and recipient. Studio, Broadway. Stratford.

What better present can yon give yourself or your friend tlmn a Fountain Pen? Now that you can obtain a reliable Fountain Pen for a very small sum, is it wise to be without one? We have a large variety of self-rilling pens, stylos, and safety pens, including the well-known makes of Scheaffers and John Whitworth, at prices ranging from 10» to 2 guineas. T«U us what style of nib you like. H. J. Hopkins, Stationer, Stratford.