WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 121, 28 February 1872, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY

The second annual gathering in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Coromandel, was celebrated yesterday by a picnic trip to Coromandel, on board the p.s, Koval Alfred. At an early hour of the morning Grahnmstown was alive with parties of gentlemen and ladies, all wending their way towards tho wharf, where the Koval Alfred was waiting to receive them. Half-past seven was the time appointed for the start, but owing to so many of the intending excursionists not being punctual, it was 8.15 before the boat hauled oil from the wharf and made a start. This delay of three-quarters of an hour necessitated the use of boats in landing, as will be seen farther on. The weather was truly magnificent, and the glare of the sun was avoided by awnings being hung both fore and aft, so that, all could enjoy themselves thoroughly in the cool shade. On the passage down numbers of ladies and gentlemen amused themselves and their neighbours by singing various songs, glees. &c., most of .vliich were executed well. At 10.-15 we arrived off the Coromandel wharf; but owing to the delay mentioned above in the starting, the steamer ran on to tho mud, with her jibboom within 20 yards oil' the wharf. This necessitated the use of boats, and a fine large flat-bottomed punt capable of carrying 80 persons was alongside in a few moments —the whole of the excursionists, 012 in number, being safely ianded in about three quarters of an hour, ’ibisscs, of course, were in waiting, but the great majority preferred the walk .along the new beach road to the township, and presented the most unusual sight to the good folks of Coromandel of a long line of visitors, the fair sex being predominant, and giving quite a gay holiday appearance to the place. After passing through the Lower Township the crowd broke up into small parties, and dispersed all over the place, every clump of trees and shad}' place being taken advantage of to dine under or rest, after the fatigues of the downward passage. The use of a large room, newly built, at the back of his hotel, was kindly given by Mr Boyd to the committee, to be used as a tea room for the occasion.

Tea was provided and presided over by 1G local ladies, and there was an abundance) of everything, and more than all, the committee and ladies deserve th • greatest amount of credit for the manner in which all their arrangements were made and carried out. Everything was in perfect order and punctual. Over 180 persons sal down in the first set, and when they were satisfied, about 150 more came in, so that there were altogether some 330, or indeed more people to provido for. Tea being over, games were indulged in by tho young people, on the green Hat near to the tea room, and here, we regret to sav, that a young lady suffered a rather severe accident, by falling down and spraining her ancle. Site was driven down to the steamer and made as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. After a short interval, a meeting was hold outside the building, presided over by the Rev. J. Duller. After a hymn had been sung and prayer offered up by the lu.-v. J. Williams, the Kev. chairman made a congratulatory speech to those present, and said that ho was glad to see so much larger a muster than they had had at the previous annual gathering. After strongly advising Hie Coromandel Wesleyans to persevere in the course in which they had started, he said that as time was extremely limited he would make no long speech, hut call on Mr Moore to read the first annual report of tho Coromandel Wesleyan congregation. The report was certainly a most, satisfactory one, and showed that £2lO Is 5d had been received as the income for the year, of which £IOO had been kindly given by their Thames friends, and he was most happy to state that there was no debt whatever owing by them ; but lie was afraid lliey would have to appeal for assistance to their friends, as tho present building was inadequate to the size of tho congregation, which was daily increasing in numbers. Mr Kioknick moved the adoption of the report, which he was glad to observe was most satisfactory, and showed that the Coromandel Wesleyans were becoming a powerful body. Time would not permit of his enlarging much on matters connected with the Church, but lie would simply move the hearty adoption of the report read by Mr Moore. .Air Rkiu'EHX seconded the adoption of the report, and, amongst other matters, gave tlie young folks some very good advice about not. remaining single too long. He seconded the adoption, which was carried unanimously. The Rev. J. Williams then moved, in a very nice speech, a vote of thanks to the ladies, eulogising them very much for their kindness and nil the trouble they had taken to get up this soiree. He particularly wished to return thanks to Air and Airs Boyd, who had lent them the room, and had also done a large amount of work in getting everything into order. Air Evans seconded the vole of thanks, which was canied with acclamation. Mr Cakxkm. returned thanks on behalf of the ladies, wishing that it was in better hands.

After tlie Doxology had been sung, everyone wended tbeir way towards tlie wliarf, and got on board safely, with one exception, that of a man who fell into tlie water olf the plank, but who managed to get out all safe, without anything worse than a good ducking. I. O. It. During the day a new ‘•Tent,” to bo called the “Star of Coromandel Tent,” was upend under the auspices of the New Zealand District. Brother Speight, P.0.R., was appointed to superintend the ceremony. assisted by the officers of the “ Star of Hauraki Tent.” Twelve members were initialed, and six names were given in of persons who were unable to attend the meeting. Brother Wilson was appointed C.lv. and Brother G. Hoskins, See. The other offices were also tilled, but we were unable to get the names. An address on the duties of Beehabites closed the proceedings, after which the Tent was closed by the officiating officer. TIIB BBT URN. Punctually at 8 o’clock the boat hauled off from the Wiiaif, and started on her homeward journey. The weather looked rather threatening before getting away, and when the land was cleared it was found that a good stiff breeze had sprung up, and that there was a little sea on, which caused a little im onvciiience to many who were not accustomed te be much on the water. However, we did not obeserve many who suffered much. The wind was ahead, and after one-third of the journey had been performed, we bad fhe ebb tide against us, so that a much longer passage was made than the down trip in the morning. Iu spite of the wind and sea, two sets of musical folks were formed,

one on the. bridge and the other aft, who whiled away the time by singing songs, glees, catches, &c., Ac., which were much appreciated by these near them. By great good fortune, the Alfred managed to get alongside the wharf, it just being touch axd go with her, hut by a little management of the live cargo, Captain Farquhnr brought her in and landed tho 312 weary excursionists, all of whom were glad to see “Home, Sweet Home” near at hand, and the great majority of whom seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the day’s pleasure so kindly provided for them. In conclusion wc must say that the greatest possible, credit is due to the management for the excellent and systematic manner in which the undertaking was carried out.