EASTER CAMP

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4558, 10 April 1942, Page 5

EASTER CAMP

METHODIST YOUNG WOMEN BIBLE CLASS MOVEMENT The annual Easter Camp of the South Auckland branch of the Methodist Young Women’s Movement was this year held in Te Awamutu, the first locally for nine years. The delegates, numbering 85, arrived in town on Thursday night and were accommodated in the Roche Street School, while meals were served in the supper room of the Town Hall, the meetings themselves being conducted in the Bryant Memorial Hall. The delegates were thoroughly representative of all the communities in the South Auckland district, while also in attendance were representatives from as far north as Kawakawa, from the south to Taumarunui, and to the east to Tauranga. OFFICERS OF THE CAMP Mrs H. Spencer (Te Awamutu) acted as Camp Mother and had associated with her the following officers:— Chief officer, Miss J. Petch (Hamilton), house officer, Miss M. Andrew (Te Awamutu), secretary and treasurer, Miss S. Ladd (Hamilton), cook, Miss M. Corlett (Hamilton), and commissariat officer, Miss E. Jebson (Hamilton). In addition, the following acted as circle leaders: Mesdames A. Petch (Auckland), N. Gallichan (Te Awamutu), Duder (Te Kuiti), and Witherford (Matamata), Misses A. Naylor (Tauranga), Z. Peace (Frankton), D. Lindsay (Hamilton), M. Parkinson (Hamilton), and B. Davidson (Auckland). GOOD FRIDAY The camp was opened at 7.30 o’clock on Good Friday morning and half an hour later, physical fitness exercises were conducted by Miss Rona Stephenson, who acted as instructress throughout the camp. After breakfast the Camp Mother addressed the assembled delegates, expressing the great pleasure she experienced in welcoming them to a camp in Te Awamutu and trusting that they would enjoy a very happy time. She wanted them to feel that the camp was “a home away from home.” Mrs Spencer concluded by wishing them on behalf of the Methodist Church in Te Awamutu a very pleasant gathering. Miss Joy Petch (Hamilton), as chief officer, then introduced the circle lead : ers, after which the Camp Chorus and several hymns were sung. The Rev A. K. Petch gave an outline of the study contained in “The Explorer,” based on Kipling’s poem of the same title. He asserted that the camp really had a great deal to learn about The Truth. AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND In the evening, Miss Stephenson gave a very interesting talk about a recent trip to California and New York, during which she studied at the universities there, at which there were about 1000 students in a class. What had impressed her most about the American people was, she said, the fact that they were always asking for information about the conditions and lives of people in New Zealand. On the other hand, on her return to New Zealand, the main questions asked her were: “How many Hollywood stars did you see?” and “What new clothes did you bring back?” Her experience of American girls was that they were more sophisticated than the average New Zealander of the same age; they seemed to have more confidence in their ability to accept responsibility. VISIT TO TE KOPUA On Easter Saturday, a visit was paid to the Te Kopua Pa, where 33 girls from Te Kuiti, Raglan, Te Hoe, Horahora, Arapuni and Arohena were in camp under the charge of Sister Nicholls, a deaconess of the Church, those associated with her being Miss Rene Clements (chief officer), Miss Enid Barton (sports officer), Mrs Panapa (commissariat officer), and Mrs L. Arnold (house officer)-. The party, which made the trip out in Hodgson’s buses and a number of private motor cars, were received in traditional Maori fashion by a karanga and powhiri of welcome, followed by several songs by the Maori girls. A speech of welcome in Maori was delivered by Wiremu Huilhi, one of the elders of the local tribe, his remarks being interpreted by Sister Nicholls. He extended the visitors greetings from the Maori girls, who were happy to see so many members of the Bibie Class movement present. Many of the older Maoris had passed away, but the younger folk welcomed them most heartily. An invitation to inspect the Pa was readily availed of, the visitors being greatly interested in the fact that it was iO6 years ago since the first Methodist Mission was established in the vicinity on the banks of the Waipa River. Games and swimming were indulged in by both pakeha and Maori girls, after which a very enjoyable afternoon tea was served and the Maori girls sang songs of farewell. The Rev. A. K. Petch thanked the Te Kopua people for their kindly welcome and wonderful reception, which was deeply appreciated. The party then returned to Te Awamutu and in the evening held a concert in the Bryant Memorial Hall, the programme being arranged by the circle leaders. EASTER SUNDAY Special Church services were held on Easter Sunday, being largely attended. In the morning, the Rev. R. Raine preached, while Misses Fay Hebden and Mavis Andrew sang the duet “His Wonderful Love,” and Mrs L. Hey the solo “Nearer, Still Nearer,” Mrs J. R. Cullen presiding at the organ. At the evening service, the Rev. A. K. Petch preached and Miss Hazel Fear sang Jude’s Consecration Hymn and Miss B. Phillips, of Taumarunui, and Miss M. Clarke, of Taupiri, the duet, “Ivory Palaces,” the organist being Miss Z. Peace. On Sunday afternoon the members

of the party participated in “a mystery hike.” CONCLUSION On Easter Monday morning Communion was celebrated and a closing church service held, after which the delegates departed for their various homes. Thus terminated a happy and profitable camp which will ever be memorable in the annals of the Bible Class Movement.