OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 16

OTAUTAU NOTES

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (From Our Correspondent.) 'The annual congregational meeting of the Otautau Presbyterian Church was held on Thursday evening, when the Rev. W. 11. Howes, Moderator, presided over a fair attendance. ' 1 Mr G. A. Burnett submitted the session report, showing that the year had been full of interest, and the attendances at the church services had been good, and at Bayswater and Scotts Gap they were quite encouraging. The junior and senior choirs had been a distinct help, and they were indebted to Mr Jellyman (organist) and Mr 11. Hogg (choirmaster). The Young People's Worshippers’ League, under the personal supervision of Mr and Mrs Howes, liad a membership of 57. Appreciation of the services of the organists at Scotts Gap and Bayswater was expressed, Miss Price officiating at the former place and Miss V. Burnett at the latter. Miss Burnett resigned during the year to join the hospital staff in Christchurch, and her place was taken by Miss Ryan. During the year Mr John Dickson (member and manager), Mrs John Willis (member) and the infant son of Mr and Mrs Durant had passed away. The Southland Y.W.B.C. camp had been held at Otautau, when about 60 members, under Sister Janet, spent an enjoyable time. The session expressed its thanks to the Sunday School staff, the senior and junior choirs, the organist and choirmaster, the Bible Class leaders, the P.W.M.U., the Ladies’ Guild and the church officers for assistance rendered.

The.deacons’ report showed that contributions to missions had been substantially increased, and the Ladies’ Guild, as the result of a bring-and-buy fair, had donated the proceeds to the building fund, missions and other avenues of church work. . The debt on the new church had been liquidated, and with the exception •of the overdraft, in the general fund all the property of the church was now clear of debt. The reports of the P.W.M.U. and the Girls’ Bible Classes were submitted by Miss Donan and Mrs Stevens, while the treasurer explained the balance-sheet in detail. The election of members to fill the vacancies in the Deacons’ Court resulted as follows: Messrs J. Thomson, W. J. Officer, D. Murray, 11. McKenzie, D. C. McCrostie and W. J. F. McCulloch. Mr Eric Fisher was appointed assistant treasurer. The chairman commented on the excellent work being done by the senior and junior choirs and the Sunday Schoo] teachers. Both the Bible Classes had been doing good work, and the girls’ class held £27 in hand for the purchase of a piano for the Sunday School hall. The social service agent had collected £l4 for the homes, and over 61) dozen eggs were also sent in. Scottish Society. There was a moderate attendance at the annual meeting of the Otautau branch of St. Andrew’s Scottish Society on Saturday evening, when Chief John Muir presided. The report stated that a successful dance had been held on New Tear’s Eve, and Burns’s anniversary had been fittingly observed. Two members’ socials had been held during the year, at one of which a presentation had been made to Mrs Cuppies as a token of appreciation of her services in supplying music for the dances for a number of years. On the occasion of Hallowe’en an enjoyable social and dance had been held, when a presentation was made to Mrs Ireland in recognition of her services as secretary for the past two years. There were 49 financial members. The balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £4S 2/7, and expenditure to £24 18/-, leaving a credit balance of £23 4/3. In moving its adoption Chieftain Liddell said the society was in a satisfactory position, and he trusted the incoming year would be as successful. They were indebted to those who had provided items at the various gatherings. The motion was carried. Before vacating the chair, Chief Muir thanked the members for their assistance during the year, the ladies’ committee for its help, special thanks being due to their secretary, Mrs Ireland. Officers were elected as follows: Chief, Mr John Muir (pro. tern.) ; chieftains, Messrs McCrostie, D. Hawthorne and Fisher; pipe-major, Mr D. Hawthorne; secretary, Mrs Ireland; auditor, Mr W. Porteous; committee, office-bearers ex officio, and Messrs Liddell, Laing, Bone, McLeod, An--derson, Mesdames Muir, Liddell, Maxwell, Brooker, Bone, McGregor, Coulter, Misses Smith and Low.