WAIKOUAITI NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22070, 28 September 1933, Page 16

WAIKOUAITI NOTES

(From Odb Own Correspondent.) WAIKOUAITI, September 27. The celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the Waikouaiti Presbyterian Church was commenced on Sunday last, when the Rev. J. J. Cairney, who was minister of the parish for 26 years, took the services. Yesterday afternoon a reunion social was held in the church hall, which was set out in cabaret style for the occasion, and long before the formal proceedings commenced all the tables were occupied by parties of visitors and residents busily engaged in renewing old friendships. The visitors were welcomed by the minister, the Rev. T. W. Potts, who also spoke on the work of the Rev. Mr Christie and of Mr Cairney. Mr Cairney expressed his pleasure at meeting so many old friends and members of the congregation, and congratulated them on the good work being carried on in difficult times. The Rev. Mr Badcock, the Presbyterian minister of Palmerston, tendered good wishes and congratulations from the members of his church. Mr J. Thomas, the Methodist minister, was also present, and offered congratulations and encouragement. Following the addresses came the ceremony of lighting the candles on the top tiers of the four-storey birthday cake, made and decorated by Mr J. Holland, Mrs Carson, sen, who will shortly celebrate her ninetieth birthday, and is a foundation member, and was the first bride to be married in the church, lighted the first candle. The serving of afternoon tea completed a happy function. EVENING SOCIAL.

The public hall was crowded for the annual social. Mr Potts, who presided, spoke of the long service rendered by some of the church officers, and expressed thanks to all who had worked for the success of the day’s ceremonies. The chief speaker for the evening was the Kev. W. Allen Steveiy, of First Church, Dunedin, whose address was based on the inepiration of hope found in the Gospel and the need for the earnest spiritual service which had moved the mountain ot depression which followed the Napoleonic ware. The following programme was rendered:—Songs Mesdaraes Taiaroa, M’Curdy, Townsend, and Burrows, Miss Walker, and Messrs Kershaw, Tait, and Slieat; recitations, Miss Moodie; violin solo, Mr Sutton; pianoforte duet, Misses Saudford and Park. The accompanists were Misses Summers, Sheat, and Sandford.