PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4729, 25 May 1894, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Annual Conversazione.

The animal conversazione in connection with the Mastcrton Presbyterian Church Sunday School was held yesterday (Queen's Birthday), evening, and proved a most enjoyable success in every respect; the church being crowded and a good many people being unable fo find seating accomodation, The programme opened with a song from .Miss Johnston entitled "Ye Banks and Braes," after which the chairman (the Rev. Robt, Wood), called upon Mr E. C. Jack to read the report and balance sheet. Mr Jack then' read the balance sheet which showed as follows ; Picnic Fund, receipts, £l6 8s 4d; excpmlitnrs, £ls 10s lid ; leaving credit balance of £1 Js "id; General Fund receipts, £;3G Us Sid; expenditure £42 0s 9d; leaving a debit balance of £."> 9s 3Jil; Mission Fund receipts, £ll 14s 8d; expenditure, £8 Ms (id; leaving a credit balance of £3 Is 2d.

The report as read showed that during the past year the work of the Sunday School had been attended with most., gratifying results, the number of scholars on the roll being 191 as against 180 last year being an increase of 11. The average attendance had increased very materially being 18 in advance of last year, There are three branch schools in connection with Masterton ably conducted by Mr Bruce at Dreyerton ; ill- Falloon at Wangachu "and Mr William Kayner at Taratahi, the aggregate number of scholars being about 75. The leaching staff, which consists of C ladies and o gentlemen, still maintains a high degree of efficiency under Mr James McGregor as Supei'intendanf. During the year a much-needed addition had been made the library, about 150 well selected books being added, which has been much appreciated as evidenced by tho fact that fully 125 scholars take out books. The amount expended on books was close on £l2. The contributions to the New Hebrides Mission have considerably increased,£B 13s Gd having been contributed as against £6 2s lOd hist yer.r. in addition to this I Mrs Wood's Young Women's Bible Class contributed 'the sum of £6 towards the same object ninkiugatotal of £1413s (id denoted j for Mission work. The direct cause of the deficit this year is due to increased expenditure; a contribution to the new organ and other sundries making a total of about £2O over and above the usual expenditure, The Secretary moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, which was seconded by Mr Duncan McGregor in a few well chosen remarks, and received by acclamation. The remainder of the programme which was of an interesting character, consisted of:—Duet, " Tho Lilyandtho.llose,"MissesMcGregor; recitation, "The Spanish Champion," Miss McKcnzic ; song, " London Bridge," Mr \V. Siiums, (encored): pianoforte solo, Miss P. Lowes; recitation, Miss Powell; duet, " List to the Convent Bells," Miss Sage and Miss Langlon; song, " Home Boys Home,"DrDouglas, (encored); song, "Romany Lass," MrJ.Simms. All the items in theuboveprogramme were very creditably rendered and speak well for the talent connected with the Church. During the evening refreshments were handed round, and addresses giyen by Messrs J. McGregor, Reith, T. Hutchison, S.M., and the Hew Robert Wood.

A very hearty vote of thanks to the Superintendent and teachers of the Sunday School for the good workdone during the past year was moved by Mr lieith and carried by acclamation, after which the gathering dispersed.