A NOTABLE HISTORY

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 115, 12 November 1919, Page 9

A NOTABLE HISTORY

TERRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL

There was a very large attendance at the tea and public meeting held last night in connection with the ,75th anniversary of the Terrace Congregational Sunday School. The tea tables, laid in the schoolroom, were nicely decorated 1 with flowers by the lady teachers. The Rev. J. Reed Glasson presided at the public meeting, which was held in the church, and on the platform there were also Mr. Arthur Hoby (president o£ the Wellington Sunday School Union), the Rev. A. E. Hunt, of Cambridge-ter-race Congregational Church (who led the prayer), the Rev. W. A. Evans, of Newtown Congregational Church" (who read the lesson), and the Rev. Robertson Orr, of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.' The 'superintendent of the school (Mr. Frank Meadowcroft) read the annual re-' port. Sketching in an interesting manner tho history of the school, he said that the highest membership was in 1897, when 151 names were on the register. A great many of those who had passed through the school were now doing useful work in church or public life, and many were still regular attendants of the church. The earliest record of the school was in 1855, when Mr. James Costall, of Mnritai was a teacher, and Mrs. Holdsworth, sen., Mr. C. W. Smith, Mr. W. G. Holdsworth and two years later, Mr. W. Knowles .were scholars. At that time there were only three classes and 51 scholars. The regular school com-' menced in 18^4 under Mr. Woodward, with Mr. John Tomlinson as assistant. Mr. Woodward frequently conducted services in the suburbs, and Mr., Tomlinson'carried on in his absence. In 1849 Mr. J. Burne became superintendent and continued for 29 years. The.Rev. W. J. Habens succeeded him for three years, and later Mr. J. Knowles. Mr. J. G. Holdsworth acted as superintendent for a time until Dr. West took up the duties. In 1883 Mr. W. Knowles was elected. Other names were Mr. W. D. Haggett, Mr. Costin Webb, and -. the Rev. G. J. Allen until the present superintendent. Mr. Meadowcroft took charge in 1893. The present year began with thirteen teachers. Three had resigned, and one was added, so eleven remained on the staff. One teacher held the record of not being absent one Sunday in three years. There were 82 scholars on the roll, and an average attendance of 61. The sum of £70 8s 9d had been collected for missionary work. £13 had been sent from the school funds to Miss Keen, in China. The Manuia Club, under Miss Quinton, sent parcels to missions in China and Gilbert Islands. An exhibition had been held by the-guild, and realised £9 13s. £30 had been spent on the infant, department in painting the room and supplying'small chairs and a blackboard." The services of Miss Ruth Smith at the head were invaluable. The expenses had been heavy, and the balance in hand was only £1 Is 9d. Mr. Meadowcroft said they hoped for £20 from : the anniversary services. The officers for the ensuing year were : Superintend- i ent and treasurer, Mr. F. Meadowcroft; deputy-superintendent, .JVIr. W. Mill ; secretary and pianist, Miss Margaret Mackie; school, secretary, Miss Moana Mackie; librarians, Messrs. Janes and Eggers; delegate) to Sunday School Union, Mies May. It was regretted, that owing to the expense the' School journal had been discontinued. Mr. Meadowcroft referred, in appreciative terms to the services of Mr. A. M. Lewis, who had conducted the singing, to Mrs. Barnes, who had played for the children, and to the instrumentalists who had assisted during the year. The Ghairman congratulated Mr.'Mea- , dowcroft on his report. Mr. Glasson went on to say that it was surely a record that in 75 years there had only been eight superintendents. There was a wonderful continuity about the members of the church. Mr. Costall and Mrs. Williams had been members all that time, and in a great many cases the same names had been associated with it for many years. In. the Holdsworth family they could reckon threo generations" of members, and the same applied to others. He referred to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which on Monday celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of its foundation. The Coiigregationalists were now celebrating the 'seventy-fifth anniversary of their Sunday schools, and the church was even older, A programme of vocal music was much enjoyed. (