WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2152, 20 January 1891, Page 2

WINCHESTER.

ST. JOHNS’ SUNDAY SCHOOL,

The annual picnic in connection with St. John the Evangelist’s Sunday School, Winchester, was held on Friday last, and proved to be a most enjoyable outing for the children and their parents, etc. A ssembling at the Sunday School at 10 a.m. under the charge of Mr W. Stewart, acting superintendent, the children were marched in procession to the “Blue Gums,” the grounds having been kindly thrown open for the occasion by Mr Denzy, Here they were joined by the Rev, T. A. Hamilton and Mrs Hamilton, who assisted the teachers throughout the day in promoting the happiness of the children, A word may be said here on the excellent discipline and order preserved on the march from the school to the grounds and the good behaviour of the children throuhgout the day. The young people of Winchester have gained a name for their orderliness and good conduct, and it is to be hoped that no specimen of the genus “ larrikin ” will ever make kis advent to mar the excellent reputation ot the township. Winchester may well be proud of its sons and daughters. During the day a programme of racing, jumping, skipping, and other events was gone through, prises being allotted to the amount of £3. Games of rounders etc., were also indulged in in the intervals. The provisions were supplied by Mr 0. W. Gimson, and were of the finest quality. After tea a move was made for the schoolroom, and at eight o’clock the room was fairly packed for the distribution. The Rev. T. A, Hamilton occupied the chair and opened the proceedings with prayer. Before distributing the prizes be congratulated the teachers and scholars upon having now a settled home in the fine building in which they were now assembled, and called for three cheers for Mr Gladstone, which were enthusiastically accorded. Referring to the superintendent, Mr Hamilton said that Mr and Mrs Robert Smith were on their, way to New Zealand, but, though absent from the school they had not forgotten the children, as two hand-somely-bound bibles, lying on the tables, amply testified. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Smith. A short report presented by the acting superintendent showed the number of scholars on the roll to be 76, and the average attendance 58. there being 8 teachers with 7 as an average attendance. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £1 7s 6d. The receipts for the year had been £l3 7s 6d, of which £l2 3s had been expended. In concluding his report the superintendent thanked the public for the hearty support accorded to the Sunday School financially and interest evinced in the work of the school by parents and friends. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton gave an earnest address, thanking the teachers for their voluntary work, and urging a due appreciation thereof on the part of the children, and reminding the parents that the Sunday School aimed chiefly at not only giving instruction, but implanting principles in the hearts ot the children which should guide them to live true and noble lives in the futnre. He suggested that a certain day should be fixed upon as an anniversary day, and at the close of the meeting Mr Deßenzy moved a hearty vole of thanks to the teachers for their work in the past year, and also that the anniversary of the school be held on the 20th of January, as that was the date of laying the foundation stone of Mr Gladstone’s school. This was heartily agreed to. Mr Deßenzy stated that he bad observed with great pleasure the good behaviour of the children, and as long as they continued well conducted the “ Blue Gums ” would always be reserved for them on each recurring 20th of Jan. Mr Ensor seconded the motion, and in doing so referred in kindly terras to the Rev. T. A. Hamilton’s zeal and untiring efforts for the welfare of the district, not only in church matters but in whatever direction his help was needed. The singing of the Doxology, followed by the benediction, terminated a red letter day for Winchester. The following is the prize list boys.

Class 1.-J. Hart, 1; S, Shallard, 2; James Curtis, 3.

Glass lI.—J. Shallard and John Cripps (equal), 1; Charles GKmson, 2 ; Charles Wilks, 3.

Class lll.—Henry Donnithorne, 1; Percy Shallard, 2; Eobert Hart, 3, Class IV.—Stribbley Donnithorne, 1; Thomas Twigg, 2. &IHLS. Class I.—Florence Moore, 1; Maude Moore, 2; Sarah Orippa, 2. Class ll.—Ada Oripps, 1 j Emma Bailey, 2Alice GHmson, 3. Class 111, —Hettie Paterson, I; Mabel Mclntosh, 2; Jane Philp, 3. Class IY. Kathleen Barritt, 1 ; Annie Philp, 2. SPECIAL PBIZES, The following prizes were awarded on the results of an examination on the New Testament by the Eev. T. A. Hamilton, and were the gifts of Mr E. Smith, Mr W. Stewart, and Miss Shallard:—

Boys- George Stewart, 1; J. Hart, 2 ] b, Shallard, 3.

Girls—Ethel Hide, 1 j F. Moore, 2; Mary Wilks and Sarah Oripps (equal), 3.

Two books, presented by Mrs H, E. Smith, for the best attendance in the 2nd class of girls were won by Ada Cripps and Emma Bailey respectively. Text and wall cards were awarded to the remainder, according to value and merit.