YOUTH WORK.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20904, 11 July 1933, Page 4

YOUTH WORK.

♦ CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR. VISIT OF THE REV. S. VARCOE COCKS. To have travelled 1000 miles and delivered 27 addresses to young people within eight days was the exncrienre of the Rev. S. Varcoe Cocks, deputy-president of the Christian Endeavour Union of Australia and New Zealand, and youth director of the Methodist Church of New South Wales, who arrived on a visit to Christchurch last evening. Mr Cocks has ' achieved this feat since his ■n-rival in New Zealand last Saturday 'week He arrived from Australia at Wellington, and after speaking an North Island centres left for Picton on Friday. On Saturday he spoke at three gatherings at Nelson, and at two on Sunday. He left for Blenheim on Sunday, and there preached to a Methodist congregation at 0.30 p.m., and later to a united gathering. Yesterday morning he left for Christchurch and arrived here last evening. He spoke at a workers' conference in the"citv about two hours after his arrival." and will also speak at a great v'outh rally in the Durham Street Methodist Church this evening. He will leave to-morrow for Ashburton. J World-wide Movement. The Christian Endeavour move- ; nun!, of which Mr Cocks is one of | ibe best-known leaders, is an inlcrdeix.initiation."!. international, and i ink r-rarial religious youth movc- ! Mien', which .--lists, first for the cul- , lure of the relu'ious life of its young people, who are gi aded in junior, ini iennodiate. and young peoples soeiei Hes. Mr Cocks claims for the muvo- ' merit the title of the biggest Protestant vouth society in the world. It contains, he .-■aid .yesterday in an interview with a representative of "The Press." mor-- members in more societie. in more <-kui-elios. in more denominations, and in more nations, than any other society of 50 years of t'ge. In its world-wide expunsion few organisation can compare with Christian Endeavour. In the British Isles it has thrown at the rate of one new societv a day, and in Australia and New Zealand, since 1928, has gained P. 0.000 new members. In these two countries the total membership is now 7?.000. .'in Early Slump. j "In New Zealand Christian Endeavour flourished from ."0 year.- ago ito about 10 years later. Then it j slimmed, with ihe general slumn in youth work, but now there hj: s been a g-'-at revival, and interest in Ihe movement is still growing. Our lir.-t j principle is loyalty to Christ the 'Savin-:-. iiv:;l, ioy.-dty lu one's own denomination end denominational mission;-, (hen to inter-denominat'onal friendship, and for world evangelism, worlJ citi/i.-M.-hip. and world peace. In the world wo. have 02.000 socielie--, and the world membership is 4,000,000 or 5,000.000." Mr Cocks spok-- enthusiastic; 4; of the great wor'd convention oi ihe movement held in Berlin in 1930, at which ho represented the National Christian Endeavour Union of Australia and New Zealand, and at which 43 nations were represented. President vo:i Ilindenburg was greatly impressed, and asked for an audience with three of the world leaders of Christian Endeavour. Looking to the Church. "It is safe to say that the world over there is a new stimulus towards Christian activity," said Mr Cocks. "The present economic difficulties are turning the thoughts of the youthful unemployed to the Church for guidance and leadership, and when such leadership is being found youth is rallying to the standards of religion." OURUHIA. The first Rugby match played in the new park on Saturday between the Marshland-Ouruhia and Belfast fourth grade teams, resulted in a draw, 8 all. At half-time Mr W. P. Spencer, chairman of the park committee, welcomed the teams and the public to the new park and 'expressed a hope that many such games would be enjoyed in the future. Mr W. Waugh, secretary of the Marshland Sports Club, congratulated the district on its splendid park. He said that he believed that each district should have its own playing ground. He felt certain that Ouruhia would help to secure a park for the Marshland district. He hoped that the agreement entered into by the football club that matches be played alternately would be carried out. Mr Spincer, in reply, assured Mr Waugh that Ouruhia would assist Marshland in every way to get its ground, and that he would support any application for assistance that came before the Waimairi County Council. KIMBERLEY. After the mild weather during the last few days, wintry conditions set in on Sunday morning, when heavy rain, accompanied by a light fall of snow, fell throughout the day, 84 points being registered. GLENTLWNEL. The second birthday of the Glentunnel branch of the Women's Institute was celebrated in the Glentunnel Public Hall on Friday.' The evening was c<ftnmenced by the singing of "The Cheer Germ" by members of the institute. This was followed by items contributed by Mrs Frye's concert party from Christchurch. The following was the programme:—Comedietta, "Kitchen Klack," Misses Sylvia Collins, Miriam Pearcc, and Berwyn Frye; recitation, Miss Betty Burt; song, Miss Norma Sturrock; play. Misses Pearce, Collins, and Frye; dance, Miss Billie Addis; "Training for the Stage," Miss Norma Sturrock; "Operatic Haircut," Miss Berwyn Frye;' "Bridal Morn," Miss Miriam Pearce; song. Miss Bettv Burt; dance, Miss Billie Addis; "Lost Property," Misses Pearce and Collins; "Harmonica," Miss Berwyn Frye; "Piccanninnies," Misses Norma Sturrock and Billie Addis; "Hairdresser's Window," Misses Pearce and Collins; recitations, Mrs Frye and Misses Burt, Collins, Pearce, and Frve. A play entitled. "The Hostess's Husband," and a burlesque "Wild Nell," both involving local talent, reflected much credit upon the performance. During an interval | Miss Joan Smith presented the president, Mrs L. A. Marshall, with a posy of spring flowers. Mrs Marshall welcomed Mrs W. Deans, president of the North Canterbury and West Coast Federation, and president of the Sheffield branch of the institute; and Mrs Warren, president of the Women's Division of the Farmers Union, Darfleld, who conKratulated the institute upon the attainment of its second birthday and wished it every success. Mrs' Deans presented the prizes for the competitions held during the year, to Miss I. Gilmour 1, Mrs L. A. Marshall 2, and Mrs D. Boyes 3. After supper the customary candles on the birthday cake, made and iced by Mrs Boyes were lighted by Mrs C. Collings, vicepresident of the institute. Mrs Deans then cut the cake. Dancing followed music being supplied by Miss Maffey (piano) and Mr McClennan (violin). Mr L. A. Marshall was chairman, and Messrs C. Collings and J. Marsh were masters of ceremonies. In the football match. Sheffield v. Glentunnel, olayed on the Glentunnel Domain on Saturday, Glentunnel was beaten by 21 points to 8. The Rev. Theo. Paterson was referee. Miss K. Harwood has been visiting friends in Coalgate. LADBROOKS. The weather last week was fine with heavy frosts. Early on Sunaay however, heavy rain from the south-west set in, and continued all day. Yesterday was fine and clear with a light frost. Playing on the local ground the Springston and Ladbrooks basketball teams drew, each scoring 4 goals. Miss Eunice Meyer was referee.

RABBITING IN AUSTRALIA. J ♦ j The increase in the price of rabbit skins is discussed as a highly gratifying fact (writes the Sydney correspondent of the Melbourne "Argus."). The thought is that more men will go rabbiting, thus further relieving the labour market and adding to the national wealth. The Government is affording assistance, and, doubtless, will agree to extend the scope of its aid. Not an acre of Crown land should be left as a haven for the vermin. There is frequent complaint by pastoralists and others that the Crown is responsible for the waves of rabbits that periodically sweep over portions of the country, eating grass that should fatten stock, and otherwise impoverishing the state. Trappers already operating are much like gold prospectors. When "on a good thing" they do not want others to participate. The Minister for Labour (Mr Dunnlngham) is very alert, and he may not permit any dust to be thrown into his eyes. "A man must have had experience," runs one doleful tale, "otherwise he will starve." It is not explained how the first trappers, who necessarily were inexperienced at the outset, avoided that sad end. It is •known that it is well for a new hand to have a mate of some experience, but that it is imperative is not admitted. Rudimentary instruction is available in the city. The Government will provide this, just as it provides gold prospectors <vith their primary knowledge.