TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3577, 18 March 1886, Page 3

TEMUKA WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The anniversary soiree and social gathering of the members and friends of the Terauka Wesloyon Church, took place m the Volunteer Hall;: Temuta, on Tuesday evening. Tho weather was rathor threatening looking, and although bat -very little rain fell, had the effect no doubt' of deterring a good many personß f rom attending, especially those from a distance. ; At 6.30 p.m. the tables were uncovered, and each had a goodly number of smiling faces around it, the owners of which were intent on doing justice to the many tempting dishes displayed, and fill up intervals by sipping delicious cups of tea. The fair attendants at the festive board were Mesdames J. and E. Brown, LoDgdon, Turner, SlcCnllbni, BeesThomas and Holwell, and. tho Misses 8., F. and B. Brown, A. Wills, Gimpson, Barrett, Caldwell, McCallum, arid Thomas. An hour was very pleasantly spent tea drinking and m the most social, conversation, after which the hall was cleared and tho Beats arranged for the publio meeting. This was commenced a few minutes after eight o'clock, by the Rev. G. Thomas, pastor : m the Temuka district, giving out that old favourite hymn " Jesus shall -reign wher'er tho Sun," which was heartily sung by the choir, and joined m by many of the audience. The choir, we may mention, was under the leadership' of Mr Jamos Harrison, and Miss Brown discharged the duties of organist m her usual effective and lady-liko manner. Tho choir were provided with seats on the platform, as were also tho Hevs Whito and Fairclough, and other gentlemen.. Mr Thomas read an apology from the Mayor of Timaru (Mr John Jackson) who had promised to preside, but at the last hour had been unavoidably detained m town, and also an apology' from tho Bey. Mr Mclntosh, who regretted that his present state of health prorente cT him from going abroad of an evening.Mr Thomas then announced that Mr Job Brown, tbeir.respected and esteemed townsman, had kindly consented to preside at their ■ * ■ ncGmen *- tv-HicK troa received with applause. After Mr Brown had expressed regret at not seeing his friend (Mr Jackson) present, he referred m a very pithy way to the good such gathering! did, and hoped .all would bo well pleased with tho beautiful music,, and the sensible addresses they were about to hear. Tho Boy. Mr Thomas then' read the annual balance-sheet-and report. From • the sheet it was shown that the. receipts hod been £350 19s lOd, and expenditure £366 15s lid, ! thus leaving a dobit balance of £15 16s Id. The report pointed out that the church was m a fairly flourishing state, and specially mentioned that the ohoir master (Mr Harrison), the organist (Miss Brown), and the members-of the Ladies' Guild were deserving of the best thanks for the way they had assisted m the work of the church. The report also referred to tho death of a lady (Mrs H. Miles), whose loss was mnoh felt, assho had been' one of the originators of tbo Guild. Addresses were then given by tho Keys. Fairclough (of Tfmaru), Whito (of Pleasant Foir.t), Mr Buxton (of tho Bangitata) and other gentlemen, and were listened to moßt attentively and loudly applauded. During the ovening the choir sang somo beautiful anthems, for which they wpro deservedly and heartily applauded. Taken altogether tho anniversary of 1886 passed off very successfully, and will long be remembered with pleasure by the people of Tomuku and district. , . .