EVANS FLAT SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY PICNIC.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1112, 21 January 1885, Page 3

EVANS FLAT SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY PICNIC.

The Sunday School organised by Mr Selby at Evans Flat celebrated its first anniversary by holding a picnic on Friday last in bne of Mr M'Conib's paddock, on the banks of the Tuapeka River. The children of the district mustered in strong force, accompanied by a number of adult friends. Marching from thersch'oolhouse in procession and bearing colored flags up the field, the company presented quite a gay appearance. Arrived on the grounds, the children aud adults at once set-to to mafeths day one of enjoyment— bases were chosen, games started, and: the era' of 'pleasure began. During the day an infinite variety of, games was played, including rounders, cricket, jolly-miller, hunt-the-slipper, drop-the-handkerchief, leap-frog, tug -of - war (married v. single), tiersa, quack-quack, skipping, jumping, and racing. The chief event of the^day was the jumping, which waß^fveryftelosely contested. Second m interest was the girls' long-winded race, ' for both of whiclv money-prizes were w ' ■ given. Tea, of excellent quality, prepared by the teachers and 1 lady friends, was dispensed in the morning and afternoon, as well as a plentiful supply of cakes and buns. ,-The variety of amusements offering and the suitability of the ground, along with the delightful weather, as also the efforts of each and all to render themselves agreeable, contributed to make the gathering a most satisfactory one. Gathering clouds and the peacock's wail warned the party to leave the field at about sundown, so that most of the picnickers were 5 safely housed when darkness and fain came on together. The thanks of the Managing .Committee were .accorded to Mrs M'Comb for her kind assistance during the day, and also for the use of the grounds.*

The following is the Treasurer's annual report referring to the work of the above •chool : — This Sabbath School was started in the beginning of November, 1883. We made use of the Bibles, books, reward cards, and tickets, &c, left by Mr E. P. Smith for tbe purpose. In May, 1884, the sum of 10s, received by Mr Selby from the Mission Committee, waß presented by him to the school funds ; with this, a supply of cards and other needed material was procured. It now became evident that aome means of raising revenue must be devised, and on consideration it was resolved to ask the scholars to contribute pennies weekly. This has been found to act <well upon the whole, and chiefly from the ■pennies so contributed the sum of £1 7 s 10JH was found to be available at Christinas, 1884, for purchase of presentation books and cards. The foregoing does not represeut the total •mount contributed in Ihe school ; for two extra collections were taken up ' during the year— the first for the benefit of the Otago Auxiliary Missionary Society, to aid it in fit! ing out "The Blessing" for missionwork in New Guinea, amounted to 12s 10d, and was handed over to the late Eev. Mr Jenner for transmission j the second, amounting to 7s Id, was contributed in aid of the Otago Bible Society, and duly handed over to the Society's officer in Dunedin. ■ ' Welcome visits have been received during the year from gentlemen interested in tho good wcrk, of whom the late Rev. Mr Jenner and Mr Taylor (missionary) merit special mention j their support and Christian sympathy have greatly strengthened our hands. The present staff of teachers, who, ■with the Superintendent, constitute the ; Committee of Management, consists of Misses Munro, J. Brook, B. Sutherland, and Thomson • to these many thanks are due for their generous aid and unflagging zeal. Mr Taylor's "Children's services," given at intervals throughout the year, have been well intended— the result no doubt of a fully drganised Sunday School in the district. The average attendance of eeholars-for the jiasfc five months has been 22. The number of scholars now on the roll at the opening of • the New Tear is.3B. Let us hope that the ensuing year may give results, if possible, even more satisfactory than has been attained in the past. May our labors be fraught with good results, and by God's blessing may the lessons taught in the Sabbath School lead the rising generation to love rightneousnes?, to strive after goodness, and to e3chew all forms 1 We would desire to continue to the fullest ' possible extent .the giving out of small books conveying religious or moral teashings. Will any kind friends who can assist us in obtain- • 'ing'funds.for this purpose do so according to their ability? Two teachers, Mrs Johnston and Mrs John 'Buchanan, who began the year with us, have, in consequence of domestic duties, felt obliged to sever their connection. We have pleasure in feeling that we still possess their Bympalhy and goodwill.