DEFICIT REDUCED

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1935, Page 10

DEFICIT REDUCED

OPUNAKE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. REPORTS ON YEAR'S WORKING. The annual meeting of members and adherents of the Opunake-Awatuna Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday evening. Owing to the indisposition of the moderator, tire Rev. R. Miller, M.A., the Rev. G. Wood presided. The session report of Mr. Tosland mentioned that the services at the preaching stations had been well maintained and ,the attendance was good, except at Opunake, during the year. A visitation committee from Presbytery had visited Opunake and reported on the work. The 50th jubilee celebration services had been held by the Rev. Mr. Budd and large congregations attended. The Rev. Mr. i Webb had resigned during the year and was farewell by the congregation who regretted his departure. The Rev. G. i Wood and family had been welcomed. Regret was expressed at the death of 'on earnest member, Mr. A. Lusk, and | sympathy expressed in the illness of Mr. Johnstone, one of the managers, The loss to the ladies’ guild in the departure from the district of Mrs. Johnstone was mentioned. The session thanked the managers ana the Rev. G. Wood and Mrs. Wood for the good work during the year. The treasurer, Mr. Pettigrew jnr, read the detailed financial statement which showed the debit balance as the lowest it had been for some years. The reports and balance-sheets from the following guilds were read: Pihama (Mrs. J. S. Tosland), Awatuna (Mrs. McCarrison), Opunake (Mrs. Watt). Each guild had a small credit balance, and had during the year helped the general fund very liberally. The mission fund statement was submitted by Mrs. C. Clare and that of the P.W.M.U. by Mrs. Watt. > The Awatuna Bible class was reported on by the secretary, Mr. Hughes jnr, and showed a marked growth during the year. The Opunake Sunday school report by the superintendent, the Rev. Mr. Wood, stated the roll number was 40 with an average attendance of 25. The amount of £l2 4s had been collected during the year in connection with youths’ and special organisations. The amount less (£1 3s 4d credit) had been expended under this head. , Mr. Wood in a summary of the year’s working said there was a difficulty in visitations. There were frequent changes in the district. There were about 25 families in the Opunake district, Awatuna 23, Pihama 18, or a total of about 75 families in the area. During the year a number of improvements had been effected to the church and grounds and although a financial improvement had been shown he appealed to the members to assist to wipe out the debt. There was also great need for a Sunday school building. The managers and ladies’ guilds had helped him considerably during the year and rendered faithful service. Arrangements were tentatively made for the visit of Professor Dickie, moderator of the General Assembly, to the district. The congregation passed special votes of thanks to the ladies’ guilds, Sunday school teachers, organists, choir, the minister, and Mrs. Wood, managers, treasurer, lay preachers and all who had assisted the church work during the year.

The following are the office-bearers for the ensuing year: Messrs. Farquhar, Templeton, McCrone and McCarrison (session), Tosland (session clerk); and Messrs. Cruse, Haggett, Pettigrew, Coxhead and Kedgeley (manager). GENERAL ITEMS. Social Welfare Work. > A resume of social welfare activities was given by Mr. L. O. Hooker at yesterday’s Hawera Rotary Club luncheon. Competitions Entries. The number of entries received for the musical and elocutionary competitions to be held at Hawera next month has made it necessary to extend the season to five days.. There will be three sessions each day, and it is expected that the Opera House and two halls will be utilised. Red Cross Teams Arrive.

To take part in the Collins Cup Red Cross home/ nursing competitions at Hawera this afternoon teams from Wellington and Upper Hutt arrived by train at Hawera last evening. The Napier anH Palmerston North teams arrived by car yesterday, and the New Plymouth team will go to Hawera this morning. The cup will bo presented to the winning team at a social gathering to-night. Time-table Change Opposed.

A protest against any alteration to the time of departure of the afternoon train from Hawera to Wanganui which would be to the disadvantage of the Hawera Technical High School children who travel by it was made at a meeting of the executive of the School Parents’ Association on Thursday night. The resolution has been forwarded to the chairman of the Railways Board and to the district traffic manager at Wanganui.

ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS.

A dance will be held in the Normanby town hall on Wednesday. The music will be supplied by Hooker’s Merrymakers’ Dance Band and the proceeds are for the Normanby show. A euchre party and dance will be held in the Aotea Roa pa, Hastings Road, Okaiawa, on Tuesday. Particulars are advertised.

A euchre party and dance, the last of the season, will be held in the Ohangai hall on Tuesday. Particulars are advertised.

Smith and Trim Ltd. advertise particulars of its mart sales for to-day of fruit, hedge and shelter and cabbage and cauliflower plants etc. at 11 a.m. and a load of tawa firewood, poultry, circular saw and spindle, good range of furniture and sundries at 1.30 p.m.

“Surprise Packet of 1935” is tire title of a revue which will be produced shortly by Hawera amateur players, many of whom took part in the recent successful pantomime “Aladdin.” The production, which will include a number of popular songs and specialty acts, will be played in the Hawera Opera House on August 20 and 21.

Guaranteed prices to farmers will be one of the questions dealt with by Mr. Harry Atmore, M.P., in an address to be given at Patea on Monday night. In view of the ballot at the last N.D.A. conference Mr. Atmore's views should be interesting. Taxation and wages will also be dealt with. Members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Women's Institutes and all women are facially invited.