FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 174, 25 July 1928, Page 5

FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE.

AT NEWTON SUNDAY SCHOOI* OLD TEACHERS HONOURED. Diplomas for long service in Sunday school work are frequently presented, but it is seldom that on the same occasion, a sister receives one for 35 years' teaching and the brother another for halt-a - century of work in the same school. Such was the case at a gathering in Newton Congregational Sunday school last evening, when the building was filled with old and present scholars. Mrs. Mary Hobson (nee Miss Rowe), received a diploma for 35 years' service as a teacher, and .Mr. Francis Rowe one for 50 years' continuous work in the school. It. was in 1871 that the Rowe family joined the Sunday school. In 1863 the Rev. Thomas Booker, a minister of the Independent Church, started holding services in a little hall in Karangahape Road. It was really a new town that had grt>wn out of the starting of Holdship's timber mill in West Street, on the site now occupied by the Church of Christ. In May, 1864, a Sunday school was started, and at last night's gathering there were three present who were amongst the original scholars. Of the five still known to be living, four belong to the family of one of the founders, the late Mr. Charles Spragg. The Rev. F. A. Thompson, president of the Auckland Sunday School Union, was in the chair, and on the platform were the Rev. L. B. Busfield, secretary of the union, and Mr. Enoch Wood, who for 32 years was superintendant of Newton Sunday school. The latter, on behalf of the old and present scholars, presented to Mr. Rowe an illuminated address, and to Mrs. Rowe a portrait of her husband. Presentations were also made to Mr. and Mrs. Rowe from the various organisations connected with the Sunday school. The chairman handed to Mrs. Hobson a certificate for 35 years' service from the Sunday School Union, and to Mr. Rowe a golden certificate fot 50 years' service. Appropriate remarks were made with the Various presentations to which Mr. Rowe suitably responded. Mr. John Bouskill handed to Mrs. Rowe a dressing case and remarked that fifty telegrams and letters had been forwarded by old scholars. One was from Sir James Parr, High Commissioner in London, who at one time was a scholar in the school. Supper was provided by a committee of ladies, and the old scholars remained for a while chatting over the days gone by.