METHODIST MINISTERS MEET

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1933, Page 6

METHODIST MINISTERS MEET

RETREAT HELD AT STRATFORD. DISCUSSION OF DAY’S PROBLEMS. Over’ 20 ministers and home missionaries of the Methodist Church in Taranaki and Wanganui met at the Stratford Methodist Church yesterday for the opening of tire three-day ministerial retreat under the auspices of the Taranaki district ministerial committee. The Rev. J. Copeland, New Plymouth, presided over the retreat, which is being held instead of the district synod. After extending a welcome to the ministers Mr. Copeland introduced the Rev. E. P. Blamires, director of New Zealand Methodist youth work, who addressed the ministers on the relation of the church to the .home, urging that it was the church’s mission to get into contact with the young married people and their infant children so as to maintain and foster the link between the home and the church. A discussion followed. In the afternoon the Rev. Basil Metson, Hawera, spoke on the present day needs of church and the world. He emphasised that in the muddle of present day conditions the church could meet the economic distress and the moral needs of the time only by the intensifying of the spiritual life of the people within the church. The first essential in that direction was the personal 're-dedication of the ministry and the members of the church to Christ. Mr. Metson spoke not so much from the economic viewpoint but stressed the declension of spiritual life and deplored the moral laxity of the present period. The afternoon session was closed with a devotional • address by the Rev. H. Spencer, Wanganui. Routine matters in connection with the districts were discussed, and in the evening rural problems were considered, discussion taking place on addresses given by the Revs. W. B. Cuming, Waitara, and Ray Dudley, Wanganui. The Rev. R. Dudley will this morning speak on “Our Message For To-day.” Other subjects for discussion will be “The State and the Child,” and “Church Membership,” and there will be a public meeting to-night which Mr. Dudley, who has a reputation as a speaker, will address. HUIROA DISTRICT NEWS. EUCHRE AND DANCE PARTY. A euchre and dance party was held in the Huiroa schoolroom on Friday evening. The winners were Mrs. A. H. Bowen and Mr. Crofts, consolation prizes going to Miss Olive Tecofsky and Mr. J. H. Stove. Music was supplied by Miss J. Wallace and Mr. A. Martin was master of ceremonies.. Mr. D. Redshaw is on holiday at Auckland. Mr. A. H. Bowen is spending a few days in the . Bulls district. Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Wickham, Mt. Albert, Auckland, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Wickham. Messrs! Roy. and John Wickham, who have been spending a few weeks in the district, have returned to New Lynn, Auckland. Mr. P. Griffin is on holiday at Palmerston North. Mrs. S. Ritchie, who has been staying for a few days with Mrs. Reardon, Eltham, has returned home. STRATFORD COURT SITTING. JUDGMENTS FOR CIVIL DEBT. plaintiffs were given judgment by default in the following undefended civil cases heard at the Stratford Court yesterday by Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M.: Stratford County Council v. Mary J. Stockman, claim for £27 2s 5d (costs £4 5s 6d); same v. G. T. Petherbridge, £l7 16s 2d (£2 18s); same v. P. Miller, £4 3s 3d (£1 7s 6d); same v. R. E. Williams, £l9 9s lOd (£2 14s); same v. H. G. Read, £l6 19s 4d (£2 16s); T. and E. M. King v. S. Peters, £lO 10s (£2 14s). PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Jenkins have left for a holiday to be spent at Wanganui and Nelson. Mr. H. 'A. Wood, RaWhitiroa, who has been seriously ill, is making a good recovery in the Hawera hospital and expects to be out of bed within a week. MATCH OF THE SEASON. WRESTLING AT STRATFORD. The match of the season under the auspices of the Stratford Wrestling Association will be staged at the town hall on Thursday night, when George Walker, Auckland, and “Whiskers” Blake, the most popular matman at present giving exhibitions in the Dominion, will try conclusions again. Walker is the doyen of the ring, it is claimed by his supporters, but as Blake has regained his vigour after the injury which prevented his meeting Dr. Hall in Stratford as arranged previously, the bout should be worth travelling miles to witness. There is every indication that a packed house will greet the contestants on Thursday, as many seats have already been reserved for the match at Rex Watson’s, Broadway. Amateur bouts are being arranged for the preliminary part of the programme. Mr. W. J. Claringbold, Hawera, will referee. Arrangements have been made with the Borough Cotmcil. for alterations at the town hall which will permit the erection of a 23ft. ring. For previous contests the size of the ring was 18ft. 6in. EXHIBITION OF ANTIQUES. TO-DAY’S UNIQUE DISPLAY. An event unique in the history of Stratford and one that will appeal because of its pageantry and colour is the antique exhibition and carnival of brides to be staged in the town hall to-morrow in aid of the Presbyterian Church funds. There will be brides in the frocks of 150 years ago, 100 years ago and onwards to 1933—the up-to-the-minute bride. The display of antiques includes many specimens of rare china and old paintings, and so valuable are the exhibits that special insurance has been placed on them against fire and theft. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. So successful was the original presentation of the sacred, cantata Rolling Seasons,” by Caleb Semper, that the choir of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Stratford, has agreed to repeat this delightful recital in the Town Hall next Sunday evening at 8.15 p.m. The proceeds will be devoted entirely to the Women’s Relief Committee. The choir consists' of 30 voices under the conductorship of Mr. P. T. Aitken. A euchre party will be held in the Eltham Oddfellows’ Hall to-morrow evening, when good prizes will be offered.