CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOLS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18562, 24 May 1922, Page 9

CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOLS' UNION

The annual meeting of members of the Otago Congregational Sunday School's Union was held last evening at the United Congregational Church. After tea, served by the ladies of the United Congregational Church, the president (Mr O. J. Moody) took the chair. Mr Joseph Abernethy conducted community singing for time, and after prayer had been offered, the chairman welcomed the members. He proceeded to say that the decision of the Congregational Church against union with the Presbyterian Church had seemed a setback, but perhaps it had done good by throwing the church back work on themselves. They could stall be keen about the larger union between all the churches. Ho believed a very big step in the direction of union was represented by the establishment of the Otago Council of Sunday Unions, embracing almost all the denominations. It should be of great service in, bringing the schools together, in the training of teachers, etc., and he hoped one outcome would be the preparation of a New Zealand series of Sunday school lessons to replace the American lessons on which they had depended so long. The annual, report presented by .Mr Joseph Abernethy (appointed secretary pro tern.), made reference to the highly succesa : ful annual examination and prize-presenting ceremony. Comparative statistics showed a slight decrease of scholars during the year. It called for closer co-operation between the churches and the schools. Thanks weca accorded to Messrs T. Begg and G. G. Hancox, examiners in connection with the annual examination. The report of the treasurer (Mr James Laing) showed a satisfactory financial situation. The reports were adopted. A special minute of thanks to the late secretary (Mr E. E. Wilkinson) was carried and Mr Joseph Abernethy was heartily thanked for acting in his stead. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. E, Sinclair; vice-president, Mr Joseph Abernethy; secretary, Mr E.' E. Wilkinson; acting secretary, Mr ' Joseph Abernethy; treasurer, Mr J Laing: executive —Messrs Hale, M’Kinlay, Laing, Hancock. Mr Low: delegatee to . Council of Sunday School Union, Messrs J. Abernethy and G. J. Moody. It was decided that the lessons of the third quarter be the subject of the annual examination. The Rev. W. Saunders moved—“ That it . be a recommendation to the Council of Congregational Churches of Dunedin and Suburbs the desirability and possibility of appointing a paid visitor whose duty it would bo to seek recruits for the Sunday school.’' —Mr J. H. Wilkinson seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev, I. Sarginson was appointed to prepare catechism questions for the examination, and the executive was instructed to select a subject for the essay competition. Mr J. Abernethy addressed the meeting briefly on the aims and objects of the Council of Sunday School Unions. The council, he believed, was to become the greatest institution in the city, and he urged all to take advantage of the exceptional opportunity it offered for the raising of the status of teachers. It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting at Eavenebonrne. Two very enjoyable items relieved the more serious business of the evening—a recitation “Playmates,’’ by Miss Alice Campbell, and a cornet solo “When Christ Was Born,’’ by Mr W. H. H. Thomas. A vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies who provided refreshments. The meeting was terminated by the pronouncing of the benediction.

Access to the Franz Josef glacier was a subject brought before members of the Progress League’s delegation on Friday when they were taken to South Westland as far as the Little Wanganui for the purpose of inspecting the bridges in course of erection. Mr P. R, Climie, one of the party, slated that the visitors were not impressed with the approaches to the Waitaha bridge. A greater effort should bo made on the approaches, as at the present rate it would be six months before they were completed. Despite a setback owing to floods, good progress had been made with the bridge over the Little Wanganui, and which should put an end for all time to the difficulties of fording on© of the most treacherous rivers on the way to the glacier. For bridging the remaining river a sum had been placed on the Estimates, but a contract had not been signed, and until the bridge was erected motor traffic' to the glacier would be subject to interruption. The main south road to Waiho had deteriorated, largely owing to heavy lorry traffic to the railhead at Ross, and while this continued the road was not likely to improve.