METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 November 1929, Page 6

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL

ANNIVERSARY CONCERT IN THE CENTURY HALL. PUPILS RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES. A function that is always a welcome one is the .anniversary concert and presentation of prizes in connection with the Levin Methodist Sunday School. This took place last evening in the Century Hall. The rain, necessary though it was to the district, affected the attendance, which could not oc compared with the crowded congregations at the Sunday selebrations; nevertheless it was quite satisfactory in the circumstances, and all the items of a lengthy programme were thoroughly appreciated. The charming decorations in blue ami white gave the hall a bright appearance, which was much amplified by the joyous baud of children ■who occupied the platform. The festival music was under the capable conductorship of 'Mr H. E. Keys, the choirmaster, and the hymns and smaller concerted numbers were sung with excellent spirit, combined with fidelity to time and tune. The instrumental support was efficiently given by Miss R. Melville (organ), Miss W. Meyers (piano) and Mr Gordon Melville (violin). Mr J. C. Gardner, Superintendent of the Sunday School, was chairman of the gathering. The programme was as follows; Hymn, “Who taught the little birds to sing,” children; pianoforte duet, Misses Grace and May Will; recitation, Nola Stanley; violin solo, Gordon Melville; recitation, Phyllis Cameron; vocal duet, John and David Thomson; recitation, Jean Lancaster; pianoforte duet, Leonio Cameron and Kathleen Watts; recitation. Charles Keys; vocal quintette, “There is a land immortal,” girls of Miss W. Meyers’s class; recitation, Betty Blacluaws; violin solo, Doris Meyers; recitation, Gwen Plumridge; pianoforte duet, Mavis and Phyllis Oak; vocal duet, Avis Lankshear and Grace Will; recitation, Don McTaggart; pianoforte solo, Olive Kerslake; recitation, Thelma PJmnridge; vocal duet, John and David Thomson; recitation, Laurie Andricksen; hymn, “Jesus, King of Glory,” children; violin solo, Gordon Melville; recitation, Joyce Lambert; vocal quintette, “Soft music is stealing,” girls of Miss W. Meyers’s class; pianoforte solo, Loonie Cameron; recitation, Beryl Treen; pianoforte solo, Christabel Nation; recitation, Ken Lankshear; pianoforte duet, Grace and May Will. Accompaniments were played by Miss R. Melville, Miss W. Meyers, Mrs Melville, Mr J. W. Gibson, and Air Gordon Melville. WORK OF THE YEAR.

Air W. Plaster, secretary, read the balance-sheet, which showed that the receipts for the year ended November 17th amounted to £57 18s 7d and the expenditure to £SO Ids sd; leaving a credit balance of £7 8s 2d. The principal returns Avcre from collections £3O 14s II and last year’s anniversary celebrations £l3 14s sd. Reporting on the state of the school, the secretary stated that the roll comprised 182, made up of 75 in the primary department, 75 in the intermediate, and 32 in the Bible Classes (junior 21, senior 11). The roll showed an increase of 39 on the previous year. In addition to the total stated, there were 28 names (?Ji t)U‘ roll. T.mi'i'fOfe the aggregate memoersiup—active and prospective —was 210. The average attendance Avas 103.19. There Avere 1 1 teachers on the roll, and their average attendance Avas 14.G0. At a meeting of the teachers, a few weeks ago, it Avas remarked that the average attendance of pupils should be better. The highest during 'flic year Avas 147, and the loAvest 00. Air Plaster added that the school had had to contend Avith sickness and bad weather, but nevertheless the attendance should slioav a higher proportion to the roll number. Each year strong endeavours Avcre made to persuade pupils to sit for the •Sunday School Union examination. At the last exam, 13 candidates came forAvard, this being a record for the school. ,The number was made up of 11 girls "and lavo hoys; seven of the girls won books, and the other four girls and the two bovs Avon second-class certificates.

Mr Gardner made an appeal for the sympathy of parents in the direction of stimulating the attendance of the children. The teachers * average, he pointed out, was very high, and they would like the parents to do their very best to see that their girls and boys attended regularly. The large increase in the roll number of the children was partly due to the system, inaugurated about three months ago, by which certain car-owners went out a fair distance and .brought in scholars who would not otherwise be able to come. This was a very good work, and sincere thanks were due to those who carried it out each Sunday morning. A number of pupils from the infant department would be promoted after the holidays, and the school would be in need of more teachers. If any felt the call to tho work, the staff hoped that they would come along and help. In conclusion, the Superintendent thanked all who had supported or assisted the school in any way during the vear. APPRECIATION OF RESULTS.

Rev. Win, Beckett, minister of the circuit, expressed his pleasure at the programme, which reflected great credit on the children who had entertained the gathering by their singing, reciting and instrumental performances. Mr Treen and Misses Melville and Meyers had been largely responsible for arranging tho programme, and were deserving of the meeting’s thanks. Mr Beckett urged the children to remember what tho Rev. Mr Parsons had said tv them at the services on Sunday. He trusted that the children would carry out those teachings in their lives, and that the parents would not forget the messages of the preacher. This occasion was reached with feelings of gratitude, and thanks must be conveyed to those who made the school possible. Mr Gardner, the Superintendent, was in tho chair, which was where lie ought to bo, (because, throughout the year, he guided the Sunday School.. The secretary (Mr Plaster) was very modest, but he was doing a line work Sunday by Sunday. Misses Melville and

'Moyers, as organist and pianist, respectively, were a great help in the school life. There was also the band of teachers who carried on the work each Sunday. The school had one or two vacancies for class leadership, and help would be welcomed, so that it could carry on with a full staff. The school would be closed after ■December loth, for the annual vacation, and it was hoped that when it resumed it would have a full complement of teachers. It was also hoped to again hold a picnic, as was done last January. On the last Sunday prior to the breakingup an offering would be taken up for the Orphanage. Mr Beckett added that lie would like to give the Sunday School a motto, “Every year a record.” The last two years had been records in point of roll numbers, and he asked the scholars to see that the total of 180 was not lessened. They should be missionaries and get the boys and girls who did not go to any Sunday School to come along. For their own part they should attend not only when the weather seemed to suit them, but be regular. They should also be loyal to the school, the teachers, the Superintendent and the Minister. They should never hear a word against those who were trying to help them and who were their best friends. Thanks were due to Mr Keys for having helped the school so much in its anniversary celebrations. (Loud applause). Ho also wished to thank those who had decorated the hall so prettily —Mrs Parsons and her helpers; the minister who had conducted the' Sunday services, Rev. .1. Ernest Parsons, of Palmerston North; and all who had helped in any way. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

The presentation of the prizes won by the pupils was then made by the Kev. Mr Beckett, who congratulated the winners on their success. The awards were as follows: — Miss R. Melville's class (Senior Girls). —Ena AlcTaggart Ist, Grace Will 2nd, Isobel Logan 3rd, Avis Lankshear 4th, Phyllis Cameron sth. Miss W. Meyers (Intermediate Girls) a y Will 1, Winnie Cockrell 2, Joan Cockrell 3, Doris Meyers 4, Nancy Thompson 5, Emma Prouse 0, Joan Stanley 7, Joan Harvey 8, Olivo Kerslake 9, Leonie Cameron 10. Mrs Andricksen’s Class (Intermediate Girls). —Agnes Moxham, Ala vis Oak, Gwen Plunuidgo, Thelma. Plumrid'ge, Jean Lancaster, Joan Williams, Betty Blaeklaws, Jean Blacklaws, Nola Stanley, Joyce Lambert, Yoland 8 Harvey, Iris Parker, Mabel Harvey. Air Burden’s Class (Junior Gifls).—Tima Hayficld Ist and special, Beryl Troon 2nd, Grace Thomson 3, Patty Logan, Aiadge Alclntosh, Jennie Stilwell, Nancy Mark. Air J. W. Gibson's Class (Intermediate boys).—Bob Williams Ist, Jack Oak 2nd, Bruce Hudson 3rd prize and special. Air Treen’s class (Junior Boys).— Teacher’s special prize, Fred Cockrell. Class prizes: Fred Cockrell 1, Gordon Harvey 2, George Williams 3. School prizes: Lawrence Jenson, Ronald Jacobs, Rex Ransom, Reginald Cameron, Alfred Oak, Tom Auckram. Girls’ Intermediate Bible Class (Aliss Beckett’s). —Christabel Nation Ist, Phyllis Oak 2nd, Doris Plumridge 3rd. Bovs’ Junior Bible Class (Air J. C. Gardner’s). —Don AlcTaggart Ist, Richard Ilayfield 2nd, John Hayficld 3rd. CONDUCTOR’S SERVICES RECOGNISED, 'Die conductor also received a prize. The Superintendent stated that a gentleman had come to him after last Sunday’s services and stated how greatly he had been impressed by the children’s singing, in token of which he made a donation. This was supplemented, and as a result Mr Gardner had much pleasure in now presenting Air Keys with a handsomely bound copy of the Alethodist School Hymnal. Air Keys acknowledged the gift in terms of* warm gratitude. He said he had admired the hymns in the Sunday Sfiool book, and he was greatly pleased with the selection that had lif.on made from it for the anniversary festival. Ladies and. gentlemen vho had heard the sing)tig on Sunday had told him how beautifully the children had rendered the hymns. In conclusion he heartily thanked the children for the pleasure they had given to their parents and friends and the service they had rendered the church in that way. A very happy gathering was brought to a close by*the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Rev. Air Beckett.