DUNEDIN CITY MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3114, 19 November 1913, Page 74

DUNEDIN CITY MISSION.

Mr Duncan Wright, of the Dunedin City Mission, probably has the largest Bible class of any worker in New Zealand. tor 18 years he has had about 1000 boys and girls present every week. When these classes were started the attendance for the first week was under 500. Last week there were present 1022. At the pleasant conclusion of the classes for this year on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday cordial thanks were given ungrudgingly to Mr Duncan Wright and .also to the Dunedin City Mission, which ho represents. In almost all the schools, too, members of the respective school committees were not slow to express their sincere thanks for what had been done during these long years, and their earnest hope that Mr Wright would bo spared to continue the good work.

On the other hand, when acknowledging several beautiful and useful gifts from hia pupils and good wishes by different speakers, Mr Duncan Wright emphasised several outstanding factors which accounted in large measure for any success which had attended his efforts, especially of late years. Without the active and sympathetic co-oporation of Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Allnutt. Mr Rennie. Mr Eudcy, and Mr Barrett, the crowded classes could not have existed so long. Then .ho had been greatly strengthened and assisted in the matter of good order and attention of the children by the presence of members of the staff of each of the schools named. Never once had a school committee refused the use of the school for such classes, and never once had ho been interfered with as to the conduct of the classes. From the first day the work had been congenial and rejuvenating. Nor was the valuable assistance of senior scholars—boys and girls—to bo forgotten. In attending to the details in connection with marking attendance cards, keeping registers, arranging books, and acting as monitors, etc., splendid help was given with enthusiasm and intelligence. Mr Mathicson represented Kaikorai, Mr J. IT. Wilkinson Albany street, Mr Fleming Forbury, and Mr Struthcrs Arthur street, and on behalf of their respective committees expressed their indebtedness to Mr Wright. Through the generosity of friends of the City Mission, nearly 200 marked Testaments and a largo number of special beautiful wall cards were presented for regular attendance during the year, and about 1000 very pretty illuminated cards wore given to as many happy pupils.