PAPAKURA PRESBYTERIAN CHARGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10423, 22 April 1897, Page 3

PAPAKURA PRESBYTERIAN CHARGE.

Toe annual general meeting of the Papakura Presbyterian Charge was held in the Papakura Church on the 15th April. The Be?. T. Norrie presided and Mr. S. H. Reid, general secretary, read the fortyfirst annual report, trom which it appeared that Divine service had been supplied by the minister at thirteen stations—three weekly, two fortnightly, and eight monthly, including a new station at Hunua South—which made a considerable addition to his labour. The communion was dispensed twice at Drury, to 25 and 19; twice at Papakura, to 29 and 42; and twice at Papakura Valley, to 16 and 11; and quarterly at Wairoa, to an average of 38 communicants. Sixteen members Bad been added, three removals had occurred by death and four by disjunction, but still there was an increase of nine on the communion roll. Baptism had been administered to 27 children and two adults, four marriages had been solemnised, and seven funerals attended. Five Sabbath-schools have been in operation, attended by 217 scholars, and taught by 15 teachers. Religious instruction had been imparted by the minister in four day-schools to a gross attendance of 82 scholars. The following is an abstract of the general treasurer's receipts for the year 1896 :-Sustentation fund, £155 18s 4d; schemes of the Church, £9 lis 2Jd; Dayspring fund, £3 2s 8d; Sabbath-school fund, £1013s; building and cemetery funds, £44 Os lOd; periodicals and sundry expenses, £514s lOd: total, £229 0s IOJd. The report was adopted, and the office-bearers reappointed for the current year. In the evening the annual soiree and concert was held in the Public Ball, and, as usual, was a great success, notwithstanding other powerful attractions. The tables were presided over by the Misses Norrie (2), Langmuir, and Mrs. Campbell, and the bachelors' table by Misses C. Willis and McCullougb. i An excellent programme was exceedingly well rendered to a large and appreciative audience. Songs were sung by Mrs. Coates (who was in splendid voice), and Misses Williamson, Kissling, and Mr. Warren. Three instrumental pieces were welf given by Messrs. A. G. Failwell (violin), Gerrard (cello), Potter (clarionet), Lipht (cornet), and piano and organ accompaniments by Miss Williamson and Mrs. Coates. A recitation was given by Rev. 0. R. Hewlett; and addresses by Messrs. T. Jameson and S. H. Reid, and the chairman. After the usual votes of thanks, a pleasant meeting was closed by the singing of the National Anthem. —I Own Correspondent.]