OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXIII, 4 June 1904, Page 24

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE FLOODS AT WANGANUI. A “Graphic” representative who travelled last week from Wanganui to Auckland, supplies the following particulars of the damage done by the recent Hoods: — ft will be some time before the extent of the damage on the West Coast of the North Island by Hoods between Palmerston on the south and Patea to the north of Wanganui, and inland settlements on the intermediate rivers can be known; but it will be found to be enormous, and all loeal bodies will be heavy sufferers through the loss of bridges and destruction to roads, while I'ie railway line and bridges will stand in need of repairs. The loss of stock will be considerable, and settlers and householders in low-lying purls in many districts and small towns will be found to have suffered from Hie unprecedentedly heavy floods in most districts along the eoast. The damage done in the lower street, Taupo Quay, at Wanganui, cannot be even approximately given, 'that thoroughfare, one of the busiest in the town, was covered with water its entire length to a depth in parts of nearly four feet when the tide was at its full, banking up the river wli*eh was running with terrific force, bringing down large trees, logs and fencing and odd buildings and bridge material, many small bridges being missing. The old ferry house, one of the landmarks of old Wanganui, built long before the Wanganui cylinder bridge was pul down 30 years ago, was carried away by the flood and dashed against and under the bridge while a representative of this journal was viewing the turbulent waters cutting away huge slices of the land upon which residents were reposing in fancied security a few hours before. This was between 7 and 8 a.m., but earlier in the day the framework of a new two-storeyed house was carried away from a spot a few chains from the bridge, from which it will be gathered that no such visitation could have been even remotely dreamed of by the owner, who. fortunately, had not completed his promises. It is hard to lose one’s house, hut to lose land and all is one of the rarest of experiences. The floods in the Turakina, Wangaehu, Wanganui and Waitotara Bivers were the heaviest ever known in these particular rivers, and the bridges at each of the smaller of these rivers had immense quantities of timber piled against it; gangs of workmen being employed getting what they could of the drifting wood clear. ST. ANDREW’S HALL. STONE-LAYING BY LORD RAK Fl BLY. On Saturday afternoon, at that end Symonds -street which overlooks Constitution Hill and Parnell, His Excellency the Governor performed the ceremony of laying a memorial stone of the new church hall which is being built alongside St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Prior to the ceremony a parly of 40 Garrison Artillerymen arriv-

ed on the scene to act as a guard of honour. They belonged to the No. 8 Company, ami were in charge of Lieutenant Ewau, aa»i»ted by' Lieutenant Baragwauath. The Garrison Band, under Lieutenant Hunter, which accompanied then), established themselves in the choir stalls in the church to await His Excellency’s arrival. Punctually to time Lord Ranfurly arrived, an<f was met on the church steps by the Rev. IL B. Gray, and others of the church officials, with whom he shook hands. He entered the church to the strains of the National Anthem. The Vice-regal party and ministers occupied a line of seats beneath the pulpit, facing the audience. The central seat was occupied by the minister of St. Andrew’s (the Rev. H. B. Gray), and at his right sat Lord Ranfurly, Captain Boscawen, and Captain Alexander. The seats at his left were occupied by the Revs. R. Somerville, Gray-Dixon, and Janies B. Russell. Chief among others noticed in the congregation were the members of the managers’ court of the church —Messrs John Reid and G. J. Garland (elders), Win. Gorrie, L. J. Bagnall, Crombie, W. O. Johnston, J. Kerr, W. McGregor, Todd, Wilkie, Cnlpan (organist), Rev. W. S. Potter, Rev. W. Woollass, Rev. R. L. Walker, Rev. R. F. Maenieol, Rev Canon Nelson, Rev. A. Carver, Dr. McDowell, Mrs Somerville (the oldest member of St. Andrew’s Church), -Mr \\ m. ’Thorne, Mr D. Craig, Ma jor G. W. S. Patterson, Captain Howard, and Mr W. S. Jones. The singing of the National Anthem by all present, with instrumental accompaniment b.v the band, was the first act of the service. Prayer was then offered by the Rev. Gray Dixon, and a lesson of Scripture read by the Rev. R. Somerville. The Rev. 11. B. Gray’ then read messages from Bishop Neligan, Canon Beatty, Rev. Norrie (the father of the Auckland Presbytery), Rev. Worboys (secretary of the Ministers’ Association), and the Rev. T. A. Norrie (of Pokeno). He also expressed regret at the illness which prevented the Mayor of Auckland from being present. After thanking the Governor for undertaking the stone-laying duty, and speaking of His Excellency’s services given to religious work, the minister proceeded to explain that this new hall was not to be regarded as merely a Sunday-school; it was intended to be much more than that. St. Andrew's Church, situated as it was near the railway’ station, the wharves, and the boarding-house population, might be called the church of

si rangers, and this new hall was therefore destined to aid them in extending hospitality’ to the visitors in the city’. In this work they’ hoped to receive the support of many Presbyterians who were rot directly connected with St. Andrew’s Church.

While the band played a selection of music, a collection for the building fund was made, followed by the singing of the hymn, "Onward, Christian Soldiers.” At the conclusion of this, the whole assemblage moved outside the church to the partly built hall alongside, where the ceremony of stone-laying was accomplished. The first step was the presentation of a trowel to His Excellency by Mr John Reid (treasurer and elder). In some

brief remarks Mr Reid said the oldest member of the chureh (a lady) desired him to inform His Excellency that she had seen thirteen representatives of the British Sovereign in New Zealand, but not one of the previous twelve had excelled the present Governor in his zeal for the work.

The stone was then placed into position in the front wait of the building, and duly tapped by His Excellency. In a cavity at the rear of the stone was a mason jar containing copies of the “Auckland Star” and “Herald,” a copy of the day's -programme, and a copy of the minutes of the proceedings leading up to the building of the church, signed by His Excellency, and by the elders, minister, and organist of the church. In an appropriate speech Lord Ranfurly spoke of the pre-eminent importance of looking after the children, who were destined to be the adults of the future. He had heard that the Church of St. Andrew was probably the oldest Presbyterian Church in New’ Zealand, and it was only fitting that it should possess a good school. Their former congregations had largely disappeared, and their houses had given place to business premises, but there was still great work to be performed in the interest of the citizens and the Einpii. He then declared the stone well an 1 truly laid. The Rev. R. L. Walker pronounced the Benediction, and with more handshaking the gathering dispersed. ANGLICAN GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. The official opening of the Anglican Girls’ High School at Epsom, Auckland was made last week by His Excellency the Governor before a number of representative Anglicans, the Hon. E. Mitchelson presiding as chairman of the governing body. The school is in the house formerly belonging to the Hesketh estate, and the building has been largely remodelled to suit the purpose. The Hon. E. Mitchelson, in welcoming the Governor, traced the history of the school from its germ in the Bishop's address soon after he arrived here, and said that His Excellency was one of the largest financial subscribers to the scheme, which proposed to give a good general education with normal religious instruction. The Hesketh properly has been bought for £4OOO, £250 being paid and the rest remaining on mortgage at 5 per cent. The Council had already £OOO in voluntary subscriptions from all over the province and the colony, and even so far away as England, and as Hie first year’s expenses would be £ 1250, another £ 000 was wanted. His Excellency said he had much pleasure in opening the school, in which n? had taken a great interest since its inception. He felt that there was a need for some such institution for the people livng in out-of-the-way places-—a good school where they could send their daughters to be brought up in the faith of their mothers. He did not think it was necessary so much in Auckland itself, but was needful for those who lived out of the city. Bishop Neligan moved a vote of thanks to the Governor, and seized the opportunity to controvert some criti-

cisms of the scheme. He claimed they must translate conviction into action. He and bis coadjutors felt that a church school, where religion would he taught as a normal and not an abnormal matter’ was necessary and desirable. They were simply following up the lead of the revered Mrs Glover, and the policy which existed in other colonial and Federal dioceses. He concluded by repeating Bishop Welwyn’s pray er for St. John's College:—“May true religion, sound learning, and useful industry here for ever flourish and abide, to the glory- and honour of God’s Holy Name.” Dr. Roberton seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. The ceremony theu ended with the National Anthem.