AUCKLAND SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7258, 21 February 1885, Page 5

AUCKLAND SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Son* day-school Union for the election of officers, &c, took place last evening at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mr. Frederick Battley (President) presided. There was a good attendance. The annual report (the 20th) and balance-sheet' were read. From the former document we gather that the year's operations have been success' ful not only in a pecuniary sense, but in good Sunday-school work. Reference ia made to the Scholars' Scripture Examination Competition, which was ao successful. The towa and suburban schools had been visited during the year, and the visiting of country schools demanded attention, From t.ue balance-sheet it would be seen that, finan* cially, the Union had never been in so good a position as at present. The committee, while glad to notice that so many schools obtain their periodicals through the Union, and while always disposed to render help, to schools, remind officers that they are supplied at a loss to the Union funds. Daring the year 12 schools have availed themselves of the privilege of obtaining grants of library books from the Home Union, the total amount being £66. During the year, in response to an application from the London Union, an appeal was sent to the schools of the Union, on behalf of Continental Missions, which resulted in. £8 12s 3d being forwarded, and since acknowledged in the Chronicle. The committee are not yet in a position to report on the statistics, as the reports from a large number of schools have not yet come in. On Ist January, 1884, there were 140 schools in connection with the Union. Daring the year, additions, 4; withdrawn, 1; lapsed, 10; ceased to exist, 2; making a decrease of nine, and the present total 131. From the financial statement we learn that the receipts of the past year, with ballance in hand at begin* ning of 1884, were £356212s Id; after defray* ing all charges the ballance now in hand is £164 11s Bd. The assets of the Union are, at present value, £2700. The Chairman, in a brief speech, moved, and Mr. J. EUyett, (Senior Vice-President) seconded the adoption of the report and balance sheet, whioh was carried unanimously. The election of officers then took place, with the following result:— President, Mr. F, Battley; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. J. Ellyett, Thomas Buddie, and Revs. J. Adams, C. Worboye, and J. Smith ; Treasurer, Mr. D. Goldie; Secretaries, Mr. S. H. Matthews (Finance and Trade), and Mr. Shacfcleford (Minute and Corresponding; Visitor, , Mr. S. Parker; Auditors, Messrs. W. H. Lyon, and S. W. Smeeton; Standing Committee, Messrs. W. Thome, T. .Richardson, W. Service, and W. Cox. Thegßev. Alex. Reid then delivered a thoughtful address on "The Responsibilities of Teachers, Parents, and Ministers in Relation to Sunday-school Work." An interesting discussion ensued, in which the Chairman, Messrs. Ellyett, Enott, A, Cox, Smee. ton, Service, W. Cox, and other gentlemen took part. The Chairman stated that in some 36 schools there were about 2000 members of the Auckland Bible Reading Association, pledged to read a portion of Scripture daily in connection with the Sun-day-school lessons. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Mr. Reid for his address, also Mr. W. Cox for, his services as minute and corresponding secretary on hie retirement from office. The proceedings closed with the singing of a hymn and prayer by the Rev. A. Reid.