CLUTHA NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 13

CLUTHA NOTES

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

February 28th. OPENING OF THE WAIWERA OHUROH. Several months ago the good people of the district of Waiwera, to keep pace with the times, and to show what could be done by Christian unity and energy, resolved that they should procure a place of worship suited to and needed by a large and ever-increasing population in a prosperous district. The school, which had hitherto served the purpose of their meeting-house, had been inadequate in its accommodating properties, and it was felt by not a few that a house specially dedicated to the service of the Omnipotent was an absolute necessity and a consummation devoutly to be wished for. With this noble purpose in view a preliminary meeting of settlers was held last May, when it was resolved to proceed with the work of obtaining subscriptions to erect a place of worship which would cost from £350 to £400. A committee of six persons— viz., Messrs John Gibson (Ashley Downs), D. Mackenzie, S. Corbet, J. Fyfe, A. Mam, and W. Chisholm— were chosen by the congregation to represent them in the matter, and power was given them to use every effort to obtain what the people in common wanted and longed for so earnestly. When the worthy six had gotten their commission they brought all the artillery of their combined energy to bear upon the matter. The object was taken up with spirit, and confidence in the ultimate success of the scheme inspired the highest hopes in the minds of the Church Building Committee. Under the leadership of Mr Gibson, who acted as hon. secretary and treasurer, and whose indomitable energy and persoverance would of itself have been sufficient to keep alive even the smallest spark of hope that any might have had within them as to the result of the scheme, or to effectually remove any doubt which might at any time obscure the reasoning faculties of any of the genus human being. No jar or disturbing element found its way to their counsels,but harmoniously they wrought together, in honour preferring one another? When the appeal to the purse-strings of the congregation to Bupply half the cost of the building was made, the response was so hearty and so genuine that the amounts far exceeded the Committee's most sanguine expectations, and instead of having a building of the humble description of the original choice, they were enabled to erect a most handsome and commodious structure, costing over £600, as well as all the necessary adjuncts thereto— in the shape of accommodation for the horses of thoso worshippers who come from a distance. The new church is situated on rising ground, at the junction of the main south road and what is known as tho " old Lake road," about a mile on the south of the once Waiwera Hotel, which, consequent on the advent of the railway, has been closed. Although perhaps not a picturesque or architectural building to view it from the outside, it will be found that its chief beauty lies in the inside, consequently it is not, like the Pharisees of old, fair without and falsewithin. The ceiling is crescent-shaped, and artistically decorated and painted. The pulpit stands at the end of the church, which terminates in a half-circular recess, and exit and entrance is obtained to the pulpit from the vestry by a door immediately behind it, while at the same time it is replete with modern conveniences and handsomely decorated. The church can also boast of a bell, so that it cannot be said of Waiwera that Tho sound ol the church-goinp beljl Thoso valleys and rocks cover heard, Nevor siphed at tbo sound of a knoll, Or mniled when the Sabbath appeared.

As the contractor, Mr Rhodes, made progress

towards tha comple'tioitt of the building, the desire of all the Residents was to have a grand opening-, and to show to what extent the people of the district can display their talent and resources. Sunday, the 19th, was first advertised as the day on which tho first sermon should be preached in the church, but owing to some delay it had to be postponed till the succeeding Sabbath. The Rev, Dr Stuart was the person fixed upon to occupy the pulpit for the first time, and Sunday, tho 26th inst., saw the largest concourse of people that has ever assembled in Waiwera, meet in the new church to listen to the eloquent preaching of Dr Stuart, and to collectively worship the Prince of Peace. The sittings hold 150 ■with ' comfort, but they were crushed, and numbers • had tp remain in the lobby and in the vestry. Morning and evening it was the same, and the building fund was swelled to the extent of £1S 13s 6d by the collections at the opening. To further celebrate the event, and to do so in a convivial manner, a soiree or teameeting was held on Monday evening, when the accommodation of the building was absolutely inadequate to supply the tide of local and distant residents who came to the scene of action. Anyone who might have been late • ' could have made a rough guess as to his* inability to get inside by seeing so many traps, carts, horses, &c about — indeed, their name was legion. 'The inside of the building was crammed • almost I to' suffocation,' as the heat was most oppressive, "while 'a' throng stopped vp 1 the way both in lobby 1 and' vestry. One knight of the •■' steel pen" 'or lead pencil 'managed' to gain access and hear what was going' on, ' while "your own" was fain to divide the comforts of a soap or candle-box in the lobby with a brother ' { quill-driver" who hails from Clinton. Owing to the inability to take little or any note of, 1 what was' going on, and trusting hopefully to memory to aid me when required, I did not exert myself to any great extent, but would respectfully ask the Waiwera people to try, on a future ' similar occasion, to provide some more decent accommodation for absolute strangers, and those who indulge in catering for 'the 'enlightenment of a newspaper-reading public might be ' treated with the respect generally' accorded to their class. On this occasion, however, the management was not so much at fault, as it was well > nigh " ; 'impossible to have improved the situation of some, because 1 of the crush. I might have mentioned that the architect of the church was Mr John Wright^' and' the specifications were prepared and" the oversight of the work, attended to by the worthy of the ' Waiwera' Fldurmills' (Mr Joseph Wright), who " spared 'neither time' nor trouble to haye r e verything complete and proper, arid the overwhelming reception which 1 met the vote of thanks to him showed that the people of Waiwera can appi'eciata energy arid faithfulness. The choir ' — the members which were nearly all residents ', 'of Clinton, and who were undor the leadership of Mr Goldingj the teacher there — discoursed with precision and sweetness, coupled with ' 'admirable modulation, "several of the gems of the cpllection of sacred songs ; of Moody .and ■ Sankay. ' The effect of the singing was beautifully sustained by the excellent playing of Miss' I 'Garden, Clinton, who presided atthejor'ganette,'and the 'musical portion of the enter 1 -' tairiment Waß worth coming miles td Hear. The pastor of the ' congregation ' (the Rev. J. IT. Spence) occupied the chair, on the platform were' noticed the' Revs. Dr Stuart, Bannerman, Allan, Inglis; Brown, and [Mr ' Gibson, all' of ; whom addressed the meeting:' " Among the speakers were also Messrs Taylor, Fyfe, 1 and Roy. ' I am sorry' that' want of tirii'e precludes me -giving the report of the speeches which I intended, but " time and tide wait for no man,"'and I must shortly conclude by saying' that ' everything pass'ed' off 'harmoniously ; 'ithe tea and cakes were excellent. A little more care might have been exercised, however, in selecting the stewards, who were , .rather , plentiful, and were consequently in , .each otherXw.ay. A very pleasant ceremony} was 1 , performed during the evening by Mr Eyfe, who , presented Mr Matthew, Dunnett with a purse of , sovereigns as a small token of the appreciation in which the congregation held him fori his • services .for some time past in acting 'as their precentor. The cheering was something deafening, and, Mr Dunnett was understood td say that, though not prepared with a speech, they must not consider that he did not appreciate the gift ; on the contrary, he thanked them most heartily for it, and it would be his earnest endeavour to continue to faithfully discharge , his duties in the building where they wore assembled. From the cheering and applause it would appear that Mr Dunnett is a favourite with all and sundry. iThe amount collected at the door came to tho handsome sum of £23, and from a rough estimate, the Church Building Committee wijl have a balance of more than £20 after paying all expenses. The contract was past the allotted time, as timber was not available, but Mr Rhodes deserves credit for his workmanship and taste, and shows that he is a labourer indeed worthy of his hire. The painting and decorating were performed by Mr Allison, and everything in connection with the church was done by local men, so that' in more than one sense it is a local undertaking, well worthy . of the people and the district, and the desire of the pastor is that it may be always well filled, .which no doubt will be the case.