AUCKLAND SUNDAY – SCHOOL UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12408, 22 October 1903, Page 6

AUCKLAND SUNDAY - SCHOOL UNION.

The 39th annual meeting and prize-distribu-tion-of tha Auckland Sunday-school Union was held in the Pitt-street Methodist Church last evening, when there was a very large attendance. Seated on the platform were: the president (Mr. G. Winstone), the Revs. J. Oiphert (of Waihi), J. Benning, R. L. Walker, and Messrs. S. H. Matthews, W. H. Lyon, S. Frith, and C. H. Bottrill.

Tho President (Mr. Winstone) referred in eulogistic terms to some of the old workers of the union, making special mention of Messrs. Matthews, Ellyett, F. Battley, and the late Captain Daldy.

The committee of the uiiion, in submitting their 39tli annual report, said that the following eight schools had been admitted to association with the union during the past year: Midhurst and SprLngvale (Methodist), Castleeliffe and Halcombe (Presbyterian), and Flat Bush, Gumtown, ukoia, and Otara Point (undenominational). Out of 417 candidates examined at the eleventh annual Scripture examination of scholars no less than 21. gained .70 per cent., or more marks, while 107 gained 85 per cent.' or more, and i secured from 95 per cent, up to full marks. In regard to finance the year had beon a successful one. .The volume of trade had showed some increase, and had necessitated changes in tho depot staff. After providing for the grant applied for by the committee the directors had placed a further sum of £50 to the credit of the Sunday-school reserve account. The report was unanimously adopted.

Prizes were distributed by the president to those who were present, among the following:—lnfant grade (under ten years): Ella Burton, Mangawhare, 1; Esther Mary Milr.es, Thames. 2; Margaret Sara Bottrill, Pittstreet, 3. Junior grade (uftder 13): George Fisher Stephenson, Ramararna, 1; Ernest Roy Burton, Mangawhare, 2; Winifred Fanny Smith, Thames, and Gladys Clara Darrow, Tararu, 3; John Murdoch Mackenzie, Auckland ; Margaret Pearl Bayiiss, Eden Terrace; Mary Noble, Devonport; Edith Evelyn Gill-mn-n. Onehunga; John Patterson Bruce, Hawick; Ruby Constance Nicholson, Howick; Gwendoline buey Armstrong, Howick. Intermediate grade (undo; 16): James Marsden Ccughey, Mount Albert, 1; Francis James Hoskine, Pitt-street, 2; Alfred George Marshall, Pitt-street, 3; Winifred Mary Gillman, Onelumga; Prudence Louisa Freeman, Mount Eden; Linda Porter, Tabernacle; Violet Mary Lewis, Grafton Road. Senior grade fib to 21): Emma Cnrder Dauby, Thames, 1; Vera Constance Dellow, Mount Eden, 2; Nellie Robins, Grafton Road, 3. Teachers' examinations: Subject, "Gospel of St. Mark," Miss E. M. Winstone, 1; Miss L. E. Kite-hint?. 2; Miss M. Hicks. 3. Subject, " Principles and Art of Teaching." Miss E. M. Wins-tone, 1; Miss L. E. Kitching, certificate. Subject, "Acts of the Apostles," Mr. L. E. Falkner, 1; Mr. H. Aldridge. 2: Mrs. M. E. Falkner and Miss A. Maberley 3. Subject, "Christian Evidences," Miss L. A. M. Armstrong, 1 Mr. L. E. Falkner, 2; Mrs. M. E. Falkner and Miss A. Maberley, certificates. Subject, " Journeyincs of the Israelites," Miss McOhristey, certificate. ! The following offioers were elected for the year:—President, Mr. A. J. Ervtrican; vicepresidents, the Revs. C. Griffin, A. North. R. L. Walker, and Messrs. H. N. Bagnall and S. Frith; treasurer. Mr. W. H. Lyon; secretary, to committee, Mr. H. J. Le Bailly; assistant secretary. Mr. C. 1?. G-srratt; secretary to directors. Mr. H. Edmunds; visitor, Mr. C. H. Bottrill; committee, Messrs. J. Burton, 0. M. Cakler, J. Crawford, W. M. Tris?a, J. W. J. Preston ; and director, Mr. F. McMaster. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring president and Mr. Haselden, the retiring secretary, after lengthy services in connection with the union. • The Rev. R. L. Walker delivered an eloquent address upon the methods of training Sunday-school pupils, and also upon the better training of teachers for the work. Mr. C. M. Calder presided at an officers' reception meeting held earlier in the day at the Tabernacle. Interesting addresses were c;iven by Messrs. John Bin-ton, May. Cnlder, Lvon, I-e Bailly. Carter, Haseldon", Bottrill, Winstone, and Mesdames Graham, Oxley, and Pinfold.

About 250 were present at the annual teachers' tea hold at the Pitt-street Methodist schoolroom.