WAIKAKA VALLEY

Southland Times, Issue 20497, 28 May 1928, Page 4

WAIKAKA VALLEY

SOCIAL AND GIFT EVENING. HELD BY P.W.M.U. The annual social and gift evening held on Wednesday evening in the church under the auspices of the Waikaka Valley Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union was a very successful function, the attendance being being very satisfactory in spite of the wintry conditions prevailing. Rev. W. J. Couling occupied the chair, and associated with him in the pulpit was Rev. E. Gardiner, of St. Andrew’s Church, South Invercargill. After devotional exercises an interesting programme of musical and elocutionary items was presented in an able manner by visiting and local performers. The detailed programme was as follows:—Fiolos by Miss V. Johnston and Messrs S. White and E. Johnston; recitations by Miss Clare Day; quartette by Mesdames Kerr and Anderson and Messrs S. White and Kerr; duet by Messrs J. P. Thayer and R. Nichol; flute solo by Mr S. Paterson; quintette by Mesdames Thayer and H. P. Mclntyre and Messrs E. Johnston, J. P. Thayer and R. Nichol; quartette by Messrs A. and E. Johnston, J. P. Thayer and R. Nichol. The high quality of the programme was reflected in the hearty applause of the appreciative audience. The musical accompaniments were played by Miss Morrison and Mesdames T. McPhail and R. Nichol. The speaker for the evening was Rev. E. Gardiner, who delivered an inspiring and appealing address, taking as his text, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong.” The speaker made a powerful and eloquent appeal for sympathy, encouragement and help in the carrying on of the great work of the Church, for which there is such a carying need at the present time. . A collection gathered during the evening resulted in a contribution of £42 10/9 towards the various mission activities supported by the P.W.M.U. Mr H. Smith proposed a very hearty vote of thanks, carried by acclamation, to the speaker, performers, and all who had assisted toward the great success of the gathering. The singing of the National Anthem and the pronouncing of the Benediction terminated the gathering, and the handing round of tea and cakes, provided by the ladies, then gave opportunity for a pleasant social hour before the gathering dispersed.