WANAKA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3674, 12 August 1924, Page 23

WANAKA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

A sale of work was held at Maungawbera on tho 2nd inst. in Mr W. Kingan’s barn to provide funds for the renovation of the church in Pembroke, and also to secure an organ for Maungavvhera Church services. Ihe day was beautiful, and the people turned out from all parts cf the parish in large numbers. Although the ladies had only a month in which to work up this sale, the stalls were crammed with beautiful articles of all descriptions, and were reasonably priced. The Rev. John Ryley, minister of the parish, declared the sale open in a short but appropriate address. He mentioned that Mr Kingan had been one of those who took a leading part in the erection of the beautiful little church in Pembroke, and now his wife, a member of his family, and himself had taken a leading part in raising funds for the renovation of that church after it has rendered good service for nearly 20 years. A rounder tournament was held in connection with the sale between various

schools cf the parish—namely, Hawera, Alberttown, Pembroke, and Maungawera. A silver cup was provided by Miss Gray, the local teacher, and after keen competition amongst the children the prize fell to the boys of Pembroke School. Mr Kingan presented ihe cup to the winners, and tho captain (Master George Trevathan) returned thanks in a neat little speech. The sale proceeded with great vigour, and in a few hours resulted in £93 odd being taken, which will be perfectly adequate to accomplish the ends contemplated. The following were the stall holders: —Plain and fancy goods stall, Mesdames Elliot and Rae; sweet stall — Misses Gray, Elliot, Gillespie, Carson, and Park; produce and ironmongery stall—Messrs Kingan and Elliot ; refreshment stall —Mesclames Carson, J. Gray, and Miss Lloyd; fish pond—-Mr and Mrs Gillespie, also many other helpers. Mr Kingan called a halt in the proceedings in order to perform a pleasant little function —namely, to present a very handsome dinner set to Mrs Ryley. Mrs Rae made the presentation in a happy little speech, and Mr Reid, of Luggate, in a few congratulatory remarks followed. Mrs Ryley, in accepting the present, expressed her deep gratitude to the people of the parish for their thoughtful generosity. After very hearty cheering had ceased Air Ryley stated that he heartily endorsed all that Air Kingan had said regarding- his wife and the services she had rendered to himself, as well as to the church, and frankly admitted that were it not for those services lie could not carry on the work, so that he felt more grateful for anything that was done for her, or given to her, than if he had been the recipient. He mentioned a little episode that happened a couple of months ago. this being the gift of a beautiful fur coat from anonymous donors with the following letter enclosed : ‘Dear Mrs Ryley,—Please accept this gift as from your Heavenly Father, for He it. was Who put it into the minds of His servants. Please don’t try to find out the instruments used in forwarding this coat, but thank Him and wear it for His sake. lie knoweth what His children have need of. Yours in His service.”