MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 20771, 11 May 1929, Page 23

MATAURA NEWS

ANGLICAN CHURCH. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Saviour’s Church, Mataura, was held on Wednesday, the Rev. J. T. Paddison, presiding over a satisfactory attendance. The Rev. Groves, curate of the parish, and Mr A. T. Newman, vicar’s warden, were also present. In moving the adoption of the annual y balance-sheet, the Rev. Paddison referred brieflv in congratulatory terms to the excellent work accomplished in the parish, and especially at Mataura during the past year. One of the major events of the year had been the advent of a curate in the person of the Rev. Groves and the parish was fortunate to have his services. During the brief period he had been with them he r had already proved himself capable and efficient while he had forwarded the good work among the young folk. It was to be hoped they would long retain his services. In connection with free-will offerings the Rev. Paddison expressed the wish that all supporters of the church would contribute freely as the expenses in connection with the administration were heavy. He made reference to the work of the church at Mataura, which he believed would continue to prosper. i The motion was seconded by Mr J. . Valentine and carried. The following office-bearers were elect-ed:-—Committee, Mesdames R. Balloch, and C. D. Taylor, Messrs J. Birch, W. Nixon, J. Valentine, B. Brady, J. Henry, H. B. Paulin and Miss Murrell. Miss Murrell was appointed secretar-- and Mr J. Birch was re-appointed treasurer. Mr B. Brady was appointed church officer, and Messrs Nixon, Henr' and Birch were elected to represent the vestry. In proposing a vote of thanks to all who had assisted in the work of the church ’ through the year, the Rev. Paddison made appreciative reference to the lay readers, the Sunday school teachers, organists, members of the vestry and committee and those who I had played their part in decorating the church on various occasions. Supplementary remarks were made by Mr Nixon. The church, he stated, was gaining ground, evidence of which was to be found in the increased attendance at evensong. The freewill system bade fair to pan out well and he congratulated the Revs. Paddison and Groves on the headway the church had made. Mr J. Birch also spoke and stated that the appointment of a curate had been made after all due consideration by members of . the vestry at the instigation of the Bishop. ! The Rev. Groves had accomplished fine work among the young folk and he had already established two organizations which would stimulate interest in the church, Mr A. T. Newman was a conscientious worker who had laboured faithfully for 23 years in various capacities. To him the parishioners extended their thanks and congratulations for past services and for his future happiness. The Rev. Groves explained that the Bible class, the Boy Scout and the soldiers of the cross movements were well established while at Mataura the young folk had established a fund for the building of a hall. Mr A. T. Newman referred to the marked progress made at Mataura. Mataura stood clear in the books of the parish. Regarding the matter of the overdraft it was pleasing to know that progress had been made. He thanked them for the kindly reference made concerning his wife and himself. Bible Class Social. The opening social of the year of the combined Bible Classes of the Mataura Presbyterian Church was held in the Oddfellows Hall on Wednesday, when there was an attendance of some 70, including visitors from Brydone and Charlton. The evening was chiefly devoted to games and competitions which were in charge of Mr Alton Currie. During the evening an excellent address was given by the Rev. R. Mackie on “Playing the Game.” A solo was given by Mr Alton Currie, and a pianoforte solo was contributed by Miss N. Ingram. At i a suitable interval in the proceedings oc- I casion was taken to make a presentation to Miss A. Edgar, who is removing to i Browns shortly. Mrs T. Swale spoke on be- i half of the Senior Bible Class, and Miss T. i Dickie on behalf of the Junior Class, and both made reference to the excellent sendee 1 rendered by Miss Edgar. Miss Dulcie 1 Coombes and Laureen Sayers also added : supplementary remarks, and Miss Ida Buc- j hanan, in the course of a few well chosen I words asked Miss Edgar to accept a dainty j China cup, saucer and plate and a box of j handkerchiefs as a mark of the esteem in i which she was held by all. Miss Edgar j made suitable response. i W.E.A. Claw, j The weekly meeting of the Mataura ! W.E.A. class was held in the bandroom on 1 Wednesday, there being a large attendance. The members of the Gore Play Reading £ Circle contributed the programme for the J evening and gave a very fine reading of '■ Oscar Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” The bandroom was tastefully - arranged as a drawing room by Dr Woodhouse and Misses M. Munro and A. G. i Adam, providing a very effective setting for the play. The various characters were sustained by the following:—Mr John Worthing, Mrs Houston; Algernon Moncrieff, Mrs Price; the Rev. Cannon Chasuble, Mrs Blaikie; Butler, Miss Mac Gibbon; Lady Blacknell, Mrs Boyne; Hon. Gwendoline Fair fox, Miss M. Inder; Cecily Cardew, Miss S. Inder; Miss Prism, Mrs Dunham. The reading was excellently given and at the conclusion Mr R. McDonald moved a vote of thanks to the members of the Gore Play Reading Circle for its fine performance.