Southbridge

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LXII, Issue 23, 25 March 1941, Page 4

Southbridge

ANNUAL, MEETING OF

MOTHERS' UNION

Rev. G. L. Harold conducted service prior to the annual meeting of the Mothers' Union. He also gave an interesting address on church bells, ancient and modern, and explained what the bells symbolised. Before the advent of the radio and other modern inventions the bell had its important significance. There were the merry wedding bell, the muffled toll of the funeral bell, the call to ' the Angelus and the church bell calling worshippers to prayer. Today the church bell had its same sacred meaning and it was interesting to note that when St. James's Church was destroyed by fire a few years ago, the old church bell remained and its familiar toll was still cherished by church members as a reminder of bygone days when it gave them an inspiration to worship in the first Anglican Church in Southbridge.

At the Parish Hall, Mrs Harold presided and after the usual business the following officers for the ensuing year were elected:—Enrolling member, Mrs G. L. Harold; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. Beamsley, sen., A. J. Inwood, C. Lewton, and R. F. Pilkington; secretary and treasurer, Mrs D. Paterson; social committee, Mesdames A. J. Beamsley, W. Miller, W. Brears, R. B. Willis, H. J; Greenwood, G. M. Doyle, and J. Ballagh. A dainty afternoon tea was served by Mesdames W. Lilley, W. Brears, and J. Thorbughgood. MISSIONARY UNION Mrs L. G. B. Whitehead presided at the meeting of the P.W.M.U. held in St. John's Hall and conducted the devotional service. After the business the meeting took the form of jam day for the orphanages and a good supply of jams, preserves and produce was packed ready to be sent to Christchurch. WOMEN'S INSTITUTE At the meeting of the Southbridge Women's Institute next week a floral demonstration will be given by Miss T. Lilley. The competitions will be, large bloom, small bloom, bottle of tomato relish, 6 tomatoes, something new from something old, best arranged vase of flowers. PERSONAL, Mr and Mrs McQueen (Dunedin) are spending their annual holiday with friends at Little Rakaia. Mrs J. Russell Shaw, of Waitahuna, who has been visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs W. C. Eggelton, returned home at the beginning of the week. Mr A. J. A. Fuchs, a former stationmaster at Southbridge, is spending his annual leave at the Rakaia Huts. RED CROSS SOCIALS The Southbridge Red Cross Subcentre has decided to resume the holding of socials to aid its funds and the first of a series of six will be held in the Town Hall next Tuesday, April 1. For a week from today the Southbridge Red Cross Sub-centre is undertaking the provision of morning and afternoon teas for soldiers in hospitals. A large quantity of cakes had reached the secretary, Mrs M. H. Boyd by this afternoon from the ladies of the district and further supplies were constantly being received.