PERIA.

Northland Age, Volume VI, Issue 34, 18 April 1910, Page 5

PERIA.

(From our own Correspondent.) The opening of the Oruru Church on the 9th instant was in every way a great success. Although the building has not yet been handed over by the contractor and perhaps the opening ceremony would have been better deferred till all signs of building had disappeared, out of recognition to Mr. Aker the trustees decided upon the opening prior to his departure. The dedication service was carried out by the Rev. Mr. Carr, of Birkenhead. Quite a crowd assembled at about 2.30 o’clock on the Saturday afternoon and after the singing of “The Old Hundred” and a short prayer by Mr. Aker, followed by a few words from Mr. Carr, the church doors were thrown open and a short service was held within.

Thereupon followed the Quarterly Meeting which lasted till 5 o’clock, by which time the Oruru School presented a very busy appearance and the ordinary school furniture had given place to tables nicely spread with delectable cakes, jellies, sandwiches, fruit, etc. For some 1} hours the usual sounds peculiar to a school were replaced by the rattle of crockery, the ripple of laughter and other sounds'accompanying a teameeting. After all had partaken of a sufficiency of good things tho gathering was transferred to the Church where a Social Eveniug was held, consisting - ' of songs (mostly of a sacred nature) and addresses. Mr. George Wilkinson very ably presided over the gathering. Mr. Carr gave an address suitable to the opening of a new church and among other things informed his hearers that thirty-seven years ago he held service in Oruru Valley in the old school.

During the evening Mr. White, on behalf of subscribers from Mangonui, Oruru and Fairburns, presented Mr. Aker with a purse of sovereigns as a slight recognition of his labours in the district during the past three years, and pointed out that had it not been for the untiring zeal displayed by Mr. Aker the chances were that a church would not have been established. After Messrs. A. McKay and John Garton had spoken Mr. Aker thanked those who had participated in the presentation and emphasised the fact that had it not been for the hearty co-operation of the people, together with the generous gift of Mr. George Wilkinson, the matter of building a church in Oruru would have been a more difficult task than it had proved to be. Tho singing of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a close. On Sunday, 10th, the Rev. Mr. Canconducted services throughout the day, viz., at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. All the services were well attended and impressive sermons were preached. During the afternoon service, prior to the closing hymn, Mr. Aker said a few words of farewell. I understand that some £l4 w-ere gathered in as a result of the gatherings of the two days. The Church when complete will present a very pleasing appearance; the steel ceiling is of French grey colouring, the walls a delicate salmon pink, the dado brown, the different combination of shades blending into a very pleasing wdioie.

I think it only right to let the outside public know that, while duly appreciating the able and self-denying work of the Oruru ladies in raising money towards the building fund, the fact must not be overlooked that to Mr. George Wilkinson is due no small amount of praise. He gratuitously provided all local timber, besides giving in addition a handsome monetary donation. Nor must the generosity of Mr. George Thomas be forgotten he having given liberally to the building fund. I notice, sir, that you have already been supplied with some facts connected with the opening and further expatiation by me is unnecessary.