ONERAHI SUNDAY SCHOOL

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1928, Page 4

ONERAHI SUNDAY SCHOOL

NEW BUILDING PROPOSED,

MEETING OP TRUSTEES,

A meeting of the Onerahi Undenominational Sunday School trustees was held in Mr H. C. Rishworth’s office this morning.

Mr Rishworth -was voted' to the chair and presided over an attendance of Messrs J. Cochrane, H. F. Menzies, W. A. Carruth and A. H. Curtis.

The history of the- Onerahi Sunday School was briefly traced by Mr Cochrane. When first founded the school was conducted in the Baptist Hall, then on the invitation of the Rev. G. C. Cruickshank, a move was made to the Church of England, where for 13 years .the school retained its undenominational character. Owihg to a change of authority the school was moved into the Town Hall and had continued there for the past three years. The hall was unsuitable for Sunday School or Church Service, and Mr Ormiston, who took a great interest in Onerahi matters, had voluntarily undertaken to donate a section, one of the best in the town, if a building was financed by the residents. Five trustees had been appointed to look after the land and the meeting was for the purpose of taking advantage of Mr Ormiston J s handsome gift. “The ladies of Onerahi, ’’ said Mr Cochrane, “were very willing to assist, in every way possible, to further the project.” Representatives of all Protestant denominations were joining to form a committee, which would assist in the raising of funds. The Nonconformist Ministers of Whangarei were also taking great interest in the movement and several had obsured .the speaker that they looked forward to the time when they would be able to hold services in a building to be erected on the section.

Mr Rnshworth suggested -that a public meeting be convened at Onerahi to put the views of the trustees before the residents, and ascertain what offers of voluntary labour and financial support were forthcoming.

Mr Oarruth considered it was advisable to have several compartments in a Sunday School, as they facilitated teaching, kept the various ages grouped. He asked what attendance there was at Onerahi? ‘‘When the School was conducted in the Church of England,” replied Mr Cochrane, “the attendance was between 30 and 35, but on moving to the hall this was doubled, and there were now 84 names on the roll.” Provision should be made for seven classes, in three or* four separate rooms. j

On the motion of Mr Menzies it was decided that a sub-committee, comprising Messrs Cochrane, Curtis and Adams, obtain specifications and the estimated cost for a building to accommodate not less than 120 children and call a public meeting at a date to be arranged. Mr Ormiston will be asked to attend.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.