SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 6

SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR

STRATFORD METHODISTS. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The anniversary celebrations of the Stratford Methodist Sunday school were concluded on Monday night, when after the entertainment of the children at tea a concert was held in the hall. The Rev. T. Skuse presided over a very large number of children for the tea and over a packed, hall later for the programme presented by the children. A year of.progress was reported by the Sunday school superintendent, Mr. E. G. Foster. The school, he said, commenced the year with a roll number of 128 and an average attendance of 60. At the end of the year there were 120 scholars on the roll (a decrease of eight) with an average attendance of 61. The number of girls was 63, with an average attendance of 30, and the number of boys 57, with an average attendance of 31. The figures excluded the senior Bible classes. There were 74 names on the cradle roll; 31 were added since the present superintendents (Mrs. Gaze and Miss Adams) took over. In connection with this a special day was held on July 22, and was well attended. The cra’dle roll comprised names from the whole circuit,and was run by the Stratford Sunday school, which received an annual donation from each Sunday school in the circuit. There were 12 teachers with an average attendance of 11. During the year the secretary, Miss Fawcett, resigned on account of ill health. Appreciation of her services was expressed by a social evening and presentation. The junior boys Bible class had Mr. Gorringe as leader. The anniversary services held in November were conducted by Rev. Coatsworth. The singing under the conductor, Mr. F. T. Hale, was enjoyed by large congregations. The tea and concert was held on the following Monday. The annual picnic was held at New Plymouth. It was the first combined picnic of all Sunday schools at Stratford. The Band of Hope had been continued and there were good addresses and programmes. The June 3 rally was held at Stratford and was well attended by Sunday school teachers and members of the Bible classes. The annual Sunday school examination was held in June, when 15 scholars sat; five first class certificates, five second class and one pass were obtained. During the year the Sunday school subscribed to the missionary magazine, home and foreign missions, youth department and Masterton orphanage. The superintendent called attention to the roll number of 120 with its average attendance of 61. This meant that only 50 per cent, of the scholars were present each Sunday. Mr. Skuse expressed his thanks to the superintendent and the teachers for their fine work during the year, and to Mr. Hale, leader of the choir, and choir members for their assistance at the anniversary services. He also referred to the work of Miss H. McAllister in arranging the programme and to that of Mrs. Gaze and her large body of helpers in preparing the tea. The programme was: Sunday school chorus; recitation, Inez Rowe; kindergarten action song; recitation, Des Cummins; solo, Eileen Hook; action song, primary scholars; recitation, Joyce Hartnell; recitation, Myrtle Sorenson; kindergarten action song; song, Miss Collins' class; recitation, Molly Charlton; action song, Miss Ranford’s class; recitation, Edna Mather; duet, Miss. Birkett and Jack Birkett; dialogue, Miss Collins’ class: recitation, Leon Davis; playette, Rev. Skuse’s class; Sunday school chorus. Miss B. Foster was the accompaniste. STRATFORD LABOUR PARTYELECTION OF OFFICERS HELD. There was a large attendance at a meeting of the Stratford branch of the New. Zealand Labour Party on Monday night. The meeting decided to inform the National Executive that Mr. P. Skoglund had consented to contest the Stratford seat in the party’s interests and that he had the unanimous support of the local branch. The meeting recommended that Mr. Skoglund call a meeting to form a citizens committee in addition to the Stratford branch’s organisation in order to further his candidature. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. W. S. Currie; vicepresident, Mr. N. B. Fletcher; secretary', Mr. P. C. Brennan; executive committee, with power to add, Messrs Sparrow, Kelly, Marwick, Main and Rogers. PERSONAL. Mr. C. Maslin, Eltham, left yesterday to spend a health holiday at Tauranga. BUSINESS NOTICES. • Mr. ■M. McDonald, land agent, Strati ford, has an attractive leasehold farm for ■ sale or exchange.