Opening Services Daielield Church.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1893, 6 October 1886, Page 2

Opening Services Daielield Church.

The Dalefield Wesleyan Church was opened lor public worship last Sunday. Three services were conducted, in the morning and afternoon by Rev W C Oliver of Wellington, and evening by the Rev J N Buttle of Masterton. The church was crowded at each service, many being unable to gain admission. On Monday evening the soiree was held Although it was wet the tables were twice filled aud in the after meeting the church was again packed. Mr Seth Hart occupied the chair and and addresses were delivered by Revs Ward, Oliver and Buttle. The Dalefield Choir sang several well rendered pieces; Mrs Cuff sang the solo " Resignation,” Mr Black the solo “ The Grasp of a Friend ” and Mrs Cuff and Mrs Ward the duet “ Nightfall on the Sea. ” Mr Weston moved a vote of thanks to the following ladies who provided an excellent tea Mrs 8 Hart, Mrs W Hart, Mrs Blake, Mrs Hooper, Mrs R Sayers, and Mrs C Sayers. Mr Ward moved a vote of thanks to the preachers of the preceding day, the speakers of the evening, the choir, and the Greytown friends who had helped with their solos. The following report was read by Mr James Gordon, the secretary Report.

We have much pleasure in presenting to you the first report of the DglefieM Wesleyan Church. Servioes were commenced in this way la July, 1885, a Sunday school was started in the public schoolroom, the school committee kindly allowing ns the use of the building for the purpose. Soon a school numbering upwards of forty scholars was gathered. In September last, public religious services were instituted, and these, with the Sunday school, were held in the schoolroom till April of the present year. The committee then elected resolved that no farther religious services should be held there. There was no other suitable place available. We resolved therefore on erecting a building which would answer as a Church and sohooU room combined, and our happy meeting this evening gives proof that the work has been done. During the interval, services have

been held in a building granted to ns by Mr John Waterson, sen., and we desire to express to him our sincere thanks for bis kindness iu our time of need. It is a matter of joy to us that the building will be from this night free from debt. The gifts which have been so many, large and hearty, enable us to say this. Mr Wilde presented the site—a quarter of an acre—the best site for the purpose we consider that could be secured in the district. Mr A. Gallon, of Matarawa, gratuitously prepared the plans and specifications, and supervised the erection of the building. The proprietors of the sawmills in the district helped nobly. Mr James Stevens, of Carterton, gave all the rusticated boarding; Mr Price, of Daletield, a thousand feet of scantling; Mr John Udy, of Waihakeke, ever two thousand feet, including heavy timber ; Messrs Udy and Gallon, of Matarawa, all the flooring and ceiling, besides a quantity of other timber ; Mr Chew, of Daletield, all the lining and timber for the pulpit; Mr VV. Booth, of Carterton, all the timber for the seats ; Mr J. Gordon, all the blocks ; Mr Wilde, the portion of the fencing ; Mr G, M. Gardener, of Carterton, all the wire nails ; Mr Butt, of Featherston, all the lead headed nails and ridging ; Messrs Rising and Cox, of Carterton, the matting and pulpit carpeting; Mr Danks, of Wellington, four lamps ; Mr Catt, of Carterton, the bible and hymn book ; Mrs Ward, of Gmvtown, the bible cushion ; Mr T. Baywell, oi 'licytown, the finals. Then there are valuable girls of labor. Mr Foster, of Carterton, gave the workmanship of this handsome pulpit; Mr Johnson, of Matarawa, the making of half the seats, and Mr Sayer of Dalefield, tbelabor of the other half; Mr 8. M. Hart, a lot of labor in carting timber and other material. Mr Sayer, Mr Johnson, Mr O. Gordon and others, work which has helped the emotion of the building very materially. We estimate these gifts to be qnite worth L9O. The oastr expended is as followsContractor’s labor, L2l ; doors and windows, LlO ; iron for roofing and zinc, L 18; cost of dead, say L 7; ironmongery, four lamps, and sundry expenses, IA ; total, L6O, The contract for building the Church was given to Messrs Baillie and Lepien. The workmanship is everything that could be desired, giving the fullest satisfaction to the architect and building committee. We give our heartiest that ks to everyone that has helped, and pray that the blessings of God may rest upon them for their kind liberality. At the close ol the meeting it wu anWooed that with the proceeds ol th? tee end |

the evening's collection the whole of the required money was made up and that the church would be from that night a s one. The announcement was received with applause. With the Benediction the meetii g was brought to a close.