DIAMOND JUBILEE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 252, 23 October 1924, Page 8

DIAMOND JUBILEE.

NEWTON SUNDAY SCHOOL. The Congregational Sunday School at Edinburgh Street Newton celebrates its 00th anniversary on Sunday, October 20, by the customary special services. When the school was first started, Newton was only a small village that had formed round Holdship's timber mill, which was situated in West Street on the site part of which is now occupied by the Church of Christ. Years afterwards the mill was transferred to the waterfront, and became the forerunner of the Kauri Timber Co.

Newton Sunday School was first held in the Protestant Hall, Karangahape Road. In these early days the road was really only a clay track, and the teachers often carried the younger children through pools of muddy water. At a teachers' meeting held on November 1, ISG4, the name of Mr. Wesley Spragg, of Jit. Albert, appears amongst those present, also those of his sisters, Mrs. Ebenezcr Wood, of Ellerslie, and Mrs. Enoch Wood, of Mt. Roskiil. Mr. diaries Spragg. who also lives in Auckland, was a scholar at the start of the school, so that 00 years later there are still four of the one family still resident in Auckland.

On January 21, 186G, the school was transferred to the new church building erected near the site of the Ponsonby reservoir.

When the Thames goldfield was opened in 1567 whole rows of houses around Newton Church building were taken down in sections and sent to the new El Dorado. On one Sunday, when the scholars assembled at the wonted hours, a lady announced that all the male teachera had gone to the Thnmes during the previous week. Under such peculiar circumstances she started a hymn, then prayed, and the proceedings ended for that day. By-and-by the teahcers drifted back again, and resumed their work in the school.

In March, 1871. the church building was demolished by a cyclonic storm and the next Sunday school was held in some empty cottages lent by Mr. John Probert. After that the school was transferred to Dewars' Academy in Karangahape Road, until a new building was provided. A section was bought in Edinburgh Street for the price of £40, and then the money started to come in freely for the school building even the two daily papers bavins powerful appeals. The result was that the new building was opened free of debt and is to-day. sixty years later, in tho same fortunate position.

For no less than 32 years, Mr. Enoch Wood was superintendent of the school and also trained the scholars in singing.

It is of interest to recall that the first meeting of the Salvation Army in Newton district was held in the school room, Edinburgh Street, under Captain E. Wright and Lieut. J. Bowerman. Newton Sunday School has old scholars spread far and wide, but before each anniversary a circular letter is dispatched to all addresses known, over one thousand being sent in 1014. Letters went to Great Britain, United States, South Africa, Tndia. Isle of Wight, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Australia. Samoa, as well as practically all over New Zealand. The replies received testify to the fact that old scholars still retain a deep interest in tlieir school.

Some notable men have preached in Newton Congregational Sunday School during the sixty years since it was opened. Amongst well-known names are the late Anglican Bishop Hill, who died in the mission-field, Africa, Rev. Dr. Chalmers, who was murdered by the natives in New Guinea. Pastor Mueller, of Bristol, the well-known philanthropist. "Rev. Thomas Spurgeon, during whose time in Auckland the Baptist Tabernacle was erected. Bey. Dr. Bevan. and the Rev. G. W. Reay. author of "Through Five Republics on Horseback."