METHODIST CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 November 1941, Page 6

METHODIST CHURCH

MISSIONARY AUXILIARY TWENTY-FIRST BIRTHDAY. GATHERING IN MASTERTON LAST NIGHT. The Methodist schoolroom presented a gay scene last evening when upwards of 140 people sat down at the well laden tables, the occasion being the 21st birthday party of the Masterton Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary. The decorations were capably carried out by Miss V. Jackson in a scheme of pink and blue. Sweet peas decked the tables. Bowls of pink peony roses and large pink poppies were placed on the stage and in the corners of the room. A finishing touch was added by the inscription, “Masterton M.W.M.A. 21st Birthday,” and bearing a large gold key, which hung over the president’s chair. After full justice had been done to the good things provided, the Rev A. S. Kings then called on the company to rise and drink the Royal toast, which was done. Dr. Prior proposed the toast of “Our Soldiers Overseas.” He stated that there were at least 35 Masterton Methodist Bible Class boys serving with the forces in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Mr E. M. Hodder suitably responded. Mrs R. Gallagher, president of the Eketahuna Methodist Auxiliary, proposed the toast of the “Masterton Auxiliary,” and Mrs Kings (president of the local Auxiliary) responded. “Past Officers” was proposed by Mrs L. Jansen, who referred to the excellent work done by Mesdames J. Cocker, F. G. Rutter, H. Becket, Rothwell, G. Stockwell, and F. Parker as past presidents, Mrs Rutter, Mrs J. McGregor and Miss E. Beale as secretaries, Mrs A. Thomas and Mrs A. J. Daysh as treasurers, Mrs C. Beale as box organiser and Mrs G. Blane as stamp secretary. This was responded to by Mrs J. McGregor.x “Our Home and Overseas Missionaries and Sisters” was proposed by Miss M. Burton and responded to by Mr F. G. Rutter. The final toast of “The M.W.M.U.” was proposed by Miss V. Jackson and responded to by Mrs F. Taylor, of Feilding, Dominion president of the M.W.M.U. of New Zealand. A short musical programme followed. A pianoforte solo, “Country Gardens” (Grainger) was played by Mrs W. Watson; a vocal quartet, “The Bells of St. Michael’s Tower,” was given by Mesdames Daysh, Speight, Jones and Miss D. O’Donnell, and a Missionary play, “Stamps,” by the G. members. A birthday greeting was read by Miss E: Beale from the Auxiliary of Wesley Church, Wellington. Miss F. Taylor, who was the guest of the evening, then gave a short talk on her experiences while travelling round New Zealand as president of the M.W.M.U. She related many amusing incidents of people and places she had seen. She referred to the splendid part the Maori women of the North Auckland district were taking in Church and civic life. Among those present were Mesdames J. Cocker and F. G. Rutter, the foundation president and secretary respectively of the Masterton. Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary, and members of the newly-formed Greytown missionary auxiliary. The Carterton auxiliary sent greetings. A large birthday cake made by Mrs A. J. Daysh and Miss V. Jackson took pride of place on the table. The 21 candles were lit by Miss N. Cocker on behalf of her mother and the cake cut by Mrs F. G. Rutter.