PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 121, 17 April 1897, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE AT TE AWAMUTU.

Tin annual soiree in connection with the Waikato West Presbyterian Church took place in the Town Hull on Wednesday evuuiiK' last, and wan a great success. The attendance from the various dis tricts, viz., Ohaupo, Paterangi, To Rore, Tuhikaramca, Harapipi, Kihikihi and To Awainutu was very large, and the gathering was cons'derul quite equal to that of last year. There was also a fair a.tendance from the Cambridge side. Tea was provided fr in s : x o'clock till eight. Fach district having its own table, wl'.ich wore | rtHided over by Mcsdames Murtyn, Hodgson, Mandeno, Kiy, Slurgcss, Dennecn and the Misses Macky, Scott, Germum, Mi.nro and Kyburn The spread of refreshments was very gorgeous, and those who had the pleasure of witncss'ng the different talks only know how willingly Mh McDonald and her lady friend* niu-t have worked an 1 pulled together to have brought the whole affair to such a successful end. After full justice had been done to the good thing provided the tables \vc:c all whisked aw.,y;nl seats in ranged for the remaining po lion cf the nicriiug, wl ich cons : sted of the reading ( f ac.onn'.s anil tin icportif the wo k done during the past year. A few muiiciil items were al o ro::dcred and the visiting nrnis'crs cave sliart addresses. Tin Rev. MrMoDonild, of Te Awainutu, prcsMid, and was assisted by the Rev. Mr Ferguson, of Auckhud, Rev. Mr Mitchell, of Hamilton, nnd the Rev. Mr Young, of ihe Kuwhia distiict. The Chairman stated that owing to illness in the Rev. Mr Evan's family that grnthnnn was unable to attend, and an apology was also received from the Rev. Mr Scott. Aftir the singing of a hymn by the choir and a short prayer, the Rev. Mr McDrnild gave an address. He was pleased to see so many friends present. lie also made a few remarks in connection with the church work in general. He was very thuikful to say that they have not had a single quarrel amongst them yet, and sinceiely hoped that all would continue so. A solo was next sung by Mr Fell, which was greatly appreciated. The Chairman then called upon Mr Kay, of Paterangi, to read his annual report of the kirk scssiou of the Waikato West Distrkt, which was as follows : " On behalf of the kirk-se sum 1 have Liviit pleasure in laying before yon this tli 3 second annual report of the work done in connection with this congregation during the past year. It will be giati yina to the members to know that all the different organisations in connection with our church have been going on quietly and with some degree of success. In the report ted to you twelve mouths ago the number of names on the communion roll was stated to be 110. Since then a number have 1- ft the district and there has been one death. During th 3 year just ended eleven new names ha-e been added to the roll, the number now Icinu 115. Pub'io worship is conducted regularly evciy Sabbath at Te Awamutu, fortnightly at Ohaupo, Paterangi and Kihikihi, and for several months past eviry Sabbath at Te, Rore and once a month at Tuhikaramca. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper has been dispensed four times duing the. year, viz., at Te Awamutu. Ohaupo, Kihikihi and Pa'.crangi, the members from Te Rore and Tuhkaramea joining with Paterangi in observing this ordinance. Bible classes have been conducted at Ohaupo, To Awamutu and Paterangi, and there are also Sabbath schools in opera'ion at every station except Tuhikaramea, and also one which meets fortnightly at Te Halm. The number of children attending the Sabbath schools as stated in last year's report was 17'J. No returns having been received for this year's attendance, it is supposed that the numbers will be about the sjiiic ess lastyeai. The session would most earnestly impress upon all the members of the congregation the importance of encouraging by every means in their power the efforts of those who arc endeavouring to lead the y.aiug to a knowledge of the truth as revealed in God's word They '1 o desire to take this opportunity of bringing under your notice the urgent need .hat exists for an addition to the session as the;e n no elder in th«j Te Awamutu or Kihikihi districts. They hope 'hat very soon one may be foiled (hiving the coiiii ience of their fellow members and the favour of the master) willing to take upon them the responsibility of tlrs olH.c. May the Lord guide us by Irs Spirit ; in this we can pie id His own promise that if we acknowledge Him in all our wsys He will assuredly direct our steps." Alter reading his report Mr Kay gave a short address. The Rev. Mr Mitchell then favoured the meet ng by singing a solo, entitled " Faith is the Victory," which received great applause. The treasurer, Mr J. H. Mandeno, was then cal'ed upon to read the statement of accounts for the year as follows : Receipts : By balance irought forward, £4 10s 3 1 ; balance in hand from last year's soiree, £4 Kb 3d ; Te Awamutu, £O7 Gs 4d, and £l2 lis 01 collected for Indian fam : ne ; Paterang', £.'i.j ISs Bd, and £5 for Indian famine ; Te Rore, £27 3 •, and Indian famine, £3 l'is Gd ; Ohaupo, £2B 0s od. and J ml an famine, £2 12s : Kihkihi, £.'! ISs lid, and Indian famine, £1 5s ; Tuhikaramca, £2 ; tota', £2lO 17s lOd. Expenditure : Insurance, £ I lis; advertising, £1 10s; assembly assessment, £1 2s Od ; rates, 12s Od ; Presbytery expenses, 15s ; Maori Mission, £1 10s ; Dayspring fund, £1 Is 8d ; foreign mission, £3 ; church extension, £1 ; Indian famine fund, £25 Is ; stipend account, £l5O ; Kihikihi expenses, £0 7s 0.1 ; balance, £23 0s 5d ; total, £2lO 17s lOd. Mr Mandeno also addressed Ihe meeting, and in the course of his remarks said as ticasiver he would like to have tha handling of a little more mouey. He would veiy much like to sec the Miir'ster's stipend raised a bit, and hoped that eic long they wou'il be able to do so. The Chairman then called upon the Rev. Mr Mitchell to give an address, and in doing so he said that it gave him much pleasure in introducing his friend, who was new to them all, and who had taken up his duties in Hamilton, and he hot ed that they would see more of him in future. The witty remarks of the rev. gentleman caused much laughter. He congratulatid them all in having such a grand man as brother McDonald amongst them, whom he considered was as solid as the rock of Gibraltar. He also informed the meeting that he was a very enthusiastic cyclist. The Rev. Mr Ferguson, of Auckland, was next called upon to give an address, and on coming forward was vciy cordially received. His remarks were very attentively lis'ened to, he spoke in glowing terms cf the go-_d woik that had been done. The Rev. Mr looting, of Kawhia, was the next to give an a hires?, and received a warm welcome. He spoke of the new settlements in the Kawhia distiict, which he said wcie now gi owing into importance. The Government are now bu lding a school at To Ruwuriion, and in a short time a church would be built. Services were held pretty regularly in the open air and log u used for seats. The Rev. Mr McDonald called upon Mr Sturgess to piopose a hearty vote ol thanks to the ladies for all their trouble in connection with the annual soiree. Mr Rees then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Parkii;g'on and the members of the choir f r their sci vices, and spoke of the kindness of Mr Fed, who came all the way from Haripipi to assist. Miss > u . L. Mandeno presided at the organ dining tie evening, which is sullicient to say th it the music was of the very best. The cash taken at the door was between nine and ten pounds aid besides there was a largo number of tickets sold

privately. The Rev. and Mrs MoDom Id and their committee are to be co'gra'ulated on the success of their annual soiree and he was sure the next one tiai already being eagerly looked forward t • by many.