MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 6

MEETINGS.

This annual business meeting of the Si John's Gymnasium Club «u held on Tuesday evening in St. John's Sunday-school. There wm a good attendance of members. The reports proved very eatiefactory. The treasurer's report showed a credit balance of £1 1a.21 The officers for the ensuing year were then elected u follows:—Patron, Mr. C. E. Button ; Wee-patron, Rev. H. Bull; president, Mr. W. Thome; president, Rev. A. Peters; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. Horsley, W. Bartley, A. 8. Ru««ell, Dr. Moir, R. Hobbs, J. Heron, W. Winstone, W, Symons, A. Thome, Clark, Smith, Dickinson, W. Hutdiinton, and P. K. Dix; secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. H. Scott; assistant secretary, Mr. C. Green ; committee, Messrs. F. Ewm, B. Blomfield, F. Eady, (J. Horsley, and G. Currie; in(tructor, Mr. Fred, Ewen. A meeting of the Otara Mutual Improvement Association was held on Monday evening. The Rev. D. J. Steele occupied the chair. A varied programme, coniisting of readings, recitations,. etc., was gone through, , as follows:—Piano tblo, Miss B. Wyllie; violin solo, Mr. 6. Kimpton; readings by Miss B. Macky, and Messrs. Clow, Campbell, J. Runciman, and Gill; recitations, by Messrs. J. O'Hara and S. Ferguson. After the various items had been criticised by members of the class, the meeting closed. The anniversary of the Mount Eden Congregational church was further celebrated last evening by & public meeting and social reunion. The Rev. B. L. Thomas presided, and there was present a good attendance of members and friends. Short addresses were given by the chairman and Dr. Wolfenden, after which the annual report) of the church work was read by the secretary, Mr. Trigg. It was of a satisfactory nature, and though regret was expressed at the slight falling away noticeable in the adult member*, this was more than recompensed by the pleasing increase of young folks, who had freely enrolled during the past year. Several vocal and instrumental selections were contributed, and about nine o'clock light refreshments were handed round by the lady members.! Yesterday afternoon Mrs. J. K. Barney, superintendent of the department of prison work of the Americ*n W.0.T.0., gave a Bible reading in the Y.M.C.A. from the '20th chapter of the Gospel of John. She described the working of the W.C.T.U., and outlined a " model union " and a "model meeting." During the afternoon, accompanied by the Rev. W. J. Williams, she, on Che authority of an order from the visiting justices, went to Mount Eden Gaol, and was shown over it by the gaoler, Mr. Reston, who gave her every information in his power, concerning both the female and male divisions. In the evening Mrs. Barney dolivered a lecture entitled " Fact and Fancy," in which the gave some thrilling incidents of her prison work, in one prison she visited every man lying under sentence of death, having got into his unfortunate condition through drink. On the motion of Mrs. Sohnaokenberg (president of the Auckland branoh of Women's Christian Temperance Union), seconded by the Rev. vV. Gittos, a hearty vote of tbanke was accorded to Mrs. Barney by acclamation for her visit to Auokland, and labours in it, and wishing her siccess in her mission. Mrs. Barney leaves by the s.». Mahinapuatoday for New Plymouth, and thence to Palmerston North, en route to Wellington. She goes on to Australia and England, and thence to her American home in Providence, Rhode Island. Last night the Rev. E. Walker, travel■Hta'g agent for the New Zealand Alliance, delivered an address to a fairly large audience in the Congregational Church, Onehunga. At the clou of the address the chairman, the Rev. B. Rhodes, invited those present to sign a petition protesting against the action of the Onehunga Borough Council |in granting permission to the lessee of the recreation reserve to hold a race meeting on the said reserve. Canvawew were alto appointed to obtain signatures to the petition, the eame to b> presented to the Borough Council next Monday night. *es) The Tabernacle Sunday-school tea and entertainment took place last evening, in the school-room. There was a large attendance of scholars and their friends. Mr. VV, Baker, sohool superintendent, presided. Miss Frith and Mr. Tudehope gave addresses, and a programme of songs, duets, and readings was gone through. The certificates won at the Sunday-school Union Industrial Exhibition by the scholars were presented to the successful recipients. The annual meeting of the Auckland EldwV Association was held in SL David's Church this week, Mr. Thos. Knight (president) in the chair. After devotional exorcises the reports were read and passed. The following nffice bearere were elected :— President, A. J. fintrican ; vice-presidents, Rev. James Hi!!, Mr. James Murdnck; committee, ilesew. Brown, Heriot, Barr, Knight, Bonnet, Reid, Johnson, Garriock, Entrican. The choir of St. David's rendered some excellent mueic.

A presentation and social was tendered last evening to Mr. J. Foils by hie fellow choristers in Hie lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. There was a good number present, members of the Y.M.C.A. choir and their friends. Mr. Bell, the choirmaster, presided. Hβ eaid he had a must pleasing duty to perforai, that of givim? Brother Fall* a preeenb from his tellow members of the choir, and wished him God apeed on hit mission to China, The trifb consisted of « writing pad, travelling rug, and deck chair. Mr. Falls suitably responded. Mr. Brakenrig delivered an address, and referred in eulogistic terms to Mr. Falls. A number of sacred solos were admirably rendered during the evening, some of them being contributed by Misses Mercer, Uimmer, Smith, and the choir, and Mr. Biroh. Th« company then adjourned to the social room where the Mies of the choir had provided a sumptuous repast.