SUNDAY SCHOOLS RALLY.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18047, 16 June 1930, Page 7

SUNDAY SCHOOLS RALLY.

ANNUAL DEMONSTRATION. GATHERING IN THEATRE ROYAL. MANY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE. The annual combined rally and demonstration of the Sunday Schools of Hamilton was held yesterday afternoon in the Theatre Royal. Over a thousand children participated in the rally, which .commenced in 'London Street, the children forming a procession here, and marching to the theatre, headed by the South Auckland Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band. The proceedings in the theatre wqre presided over by His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, who had associated with him on the stage, all the superintendents of the various Sunday Schools. An inspiring address was delivered by Rev. H. G. Gilbert, who appealed firstly to the parents, of whom there was “a large attendance. He asked them to support the Sunday-Schools. Teaching was not just the hobby of a few earnest men and women, but the consecrated labour of those w’ho were convinced that society could stand only on a solid religious foundation. To the children he. said that the greatest captain of all had chosen them for His service, and it was their duty to follow Him. Prayers and lessons were read by the superintendents. The chairman made the presentation of the'Waikato Winter Show points shield to the winning Sunday school, the Church of Christ, Hamilton, with Church of Christ, West Street, Auckland second, and St. James’ Methodist, Frankton, third. The shield is donated by the Waikato Winter Show Sunday School Committee and is to be competed for annually. Tire superintendent, of the winning school also received three books for the school library, donated by the Auckland Sunday School Union.

The committee’s awards for special merit were then presented as under,: —Wall text, Jean Clark; ’wall text, Joyce Clarke, wall text; 11. E. Aldridge; modelling, St. Peter's Kindergarten; special day programme, Miss M. lnce; cradle roll and temperence poster, H. E. Aldridge; biblical map, J. Salisbury. Mr Pearson, the superintendent of the Waikato Winter Show Sunday School Section Committee thanked those whose earnest co-operation had largely contributed to the success of the meeting and especially thanked the members of the orchestral society and the Hamilton Pipe Band who greatlycontributed to the success of the parade for their assistance at so short a notice.