SOIREE AT PAPAKURA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 78, 10 April 1885, Page 4

SOIREE AT PAPAKURA.

The annual soiree and general meeting of tho Papakura Presbyterian Charge was held in the Church on the 2nd April, and was as usual a great success. Tea and other good things were kindly provided by Mesdames McLennan, Norrie, Willis, and J. Walker; a bachelors'*table was also well supplied by Mr B. White. The Bey. T. Norrie presided, and called on Mr Fergusson, student evangelist, to engage in prayer. The annual report for the past year was read, and by it and the Chairman's address the following summary of church work woe given. Thirteen stations had been supplied by the minister with divine service, three weekly and ten monthly, and eight of these on Sabbaths and five on week days. Prayer meetings had been held monthly at Drury and Wairoo, and occasionally at Papakura, By the assistance of Mr Campbell, occasional preacher, a monthly Sabbath service had lately been begun at Ararimu and Makotu, and by the same help pastoral care had been extended to Huntly and adjacent districts, which were now supplied with fort nightly Sabbath services. The communion had been dispensed once at Papakura and Turanga Creek, and twice at Drury and Papakura, to a gross number of 121 com municants. Forty new members had been added, and 25 of these were communicants for the first time. Baptism had been administered to 57 children and one adult. The minister had also solemnised five marriages, a_d officiated at seven funerals. Religious instruction had been imparted in ten day-schools to a gross attendance of 236 scholars. Seven Sabbath-schools have been in operotion, attended by 235 scholars, and taught by 20 teachers. Ninety-two suitable periodicals are [distributed monthly in tho charge. Abstract of Treasurer's accounts for year 1884:—Sustentation fund, £210 14s 7d; schemes of the church, £14 19s lOd; Sabbath-school fund, £l6s 6s 8d ; building fund, £49 9s 8d ; .periodicals and incidental expenses, £11 ss: total receipts, £302 15s 9d. The report was adopted, and the office-bearers re-appointed for the current year. Excellent addresses were given by Mr T. Campbell on "Perseverance " and by Mr Fergusson on "Fact." Various musical selections were well rendered by the local choir, Mr Fallwell conducting, and Miss Fallwell presiding at the organ. Solos were sung by Mr W. L. Armstrong and Mr Do,bb. A duet and trio were also given, in which Mrs Fallwell and Miss Fallwell took part. A reoi* tation was given by Mr I). Norrie, and a reading by Mr Fallwell. Mr T. A. Norrie moved a vote of thanks to the ladies, speakers, singers, eto., which was carried by acclamation, and suitably responded to. A vote of thanks was also accorded tb the Chairman, who closed the proceedings of a very pleasant evening by pronouncing the Penedictlon,-(Correspondent.) {