S. Augustine's, Napier.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume II, Issue 5, 1 November 1911, Page 86

S. Augustine's, Napier.

Vicar: Rev. Canon Tuke. Curate : Rev. C. L. Wilson,

The classes for candidates for Confirmation have been arranged for Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 pm. m the Church. That on Mondays will be for men and lads and that on Thursdays for girls. Another hour •will be set apart for any married women who may offer. It is essential that every candidate should attend regularly and punctually. Those who have not yet given their names m should do ko at once. The Parish Mower Show was favoured with ideal weather. The Schoolroom once more was decked m floral attire and looked its best with the daffodil blooms- The mantelpiece and table decorations were perhaps the chief attraction, and were on the whole quite up to the usual standard. There were not quite so many exhibits as usual as the year was not a favourable one for bulbs, but still the show attracted a large number of people, especially on the opening afternoon. The Bishop proclaimed it open, after a very encouraging speech on gardening and its uplifting influence. It was very helpful to have our Bishop's warm approval of our efforts m horticulture and to also have the presence of Bishop Williams, who . is an annual exhibitor and a keen supporter of the culture of native plants. The Women's Guild looked after the tea department with their usual zeal, and the C.E.M.S. were to to the fore m erecting and taking down the tent as well as putting the seats back m the room. Our good friend, Mr. W. 0. Yates, again proved his ability as "Stage Manager." Mr; Dawßon-Smith had a capital exhibition and took manj orders, The Vicar unfortunately contracted a heavy oold, but Mr. Wilson, our Curate, came to the rescue, and on the last evening expressed the Vicar's and the Vestry's best thanks to all who had given their valued help, especially the orchestra under Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, whose music was much appreciated. TJie Vestry appointed Messrs. Thorp, Stock, and White to act with the Vicar as a Committee to carry through the Sunday School extension.

The Women's Guild has expressed a wish to devote any sum they may get from their Sale to this Fund, and the Vestry has fully approved of the same. This will be quite equal to another £20, and if all our people patronise the Sale, which is announced for October 4th and sth, a good deal more will result. In the Choir Competitions the Choir sang with more devotion and expression than any we had the pleasure of hearing. We have had hearty congratulations from so many," and from some well qualified to judge, that Mr. Harston and the Choir may feel satisfied that their performance was of such a high standard and, m the public opinion, worthy of higher marks than the judge — who declared their rendering of ." God is a Spirit" the best he had beard here — thought fit to award. They certainly sang remarkably well m both pieces. The Church was packed on Sunday evening (the 10th September) and demonstrated once more the necessity of adding another aisle as soon as we can see our way. The Parishioners have just given £JOO m a three weeks' effort for the Sunday School extension and we cannot make another appeal yet, but it is a pity that we should be so uncomfortably full on Sunday nights and yet have plenty of room on Sunday mornings. The Bishop gave the congregation plenty to think about m his earnest sermon, and encouraged the people to go on giving as they had lately done, directly to God's work. The Choir sang the anthem "God is a Spirit" (unaccompanied) most devotionally, and the musical portion of the service added much to the value of one which will be remembered with thankfulness by those privileged to be present. The death of Mrs. Goldsmith came as a shock to our community. Her family have the sincere sympathy of all our Parishioners. The Vicar had known her for thirty years and deeply regretted the loss of so good a mother from the Parish. In the death of Mrs. Dolbel, another faithful friend of the Parish has gone from our midst. Her late husband and his brother were among the oldest Parishioners m the Taradale Parish, and the many kindnesses under their hospitable roof m years gone by will be gratefully remembered by the Vicar. The G.F.S. social, held on the 13th instant, was a pronounced success. There was a splendid attendance, good soloists and other singers and reciters, and plenty of "go" about the whole evening, the games provided being largely patronised. Miss White, the energetic Secretary (well supported by the Associates), was chiefly responsible for the enjoyable evening. At the conclusion the Vicar said it was a great happiness to see such a revival of interest m the G.F.S,, and he trusted the members would do all to strengthen it and keep it m the very forefront of their Church activities The Bishop visited us on Sunday evening, the 1 7th September. The Church was packed, and His Lordship again, said how necessary it was to enlarge the Church. The anthem "God is a Spirit," sung unaccompanied, was beautifully rendered. The Bermon was most helpful. . The Synod Services, when we had the pleasure of having several of the visiting Clergy here on two Sundays, were largely attended, and some instructive and interesting addresses were given by the preachers — the Revs. Dawson Thomas, W. J. Simkin, and R. G. Coates, and Canon Ourzon-Siggers (who came up from Dunedinto give addresses

to the Clergy and to preach at the Synod Service on Sunday morning, the 25th). We are always glad to welcome any visiting Clergy, and if they can help by giving an address m the Church, or m the School to the children, they are helping others by so doing. The Rev. W. H. Roberts took the Children's Service and succeeded m winning the attention of the young and numerous scholars. The Choir led the singing very devotionally at all the services. The Sunday School examination will* be held on Sunday, November 6th, for Juniors under 14, and on Sunday, November 13th, for Seniors. Though there is a wider range of subjects this year, parents and teachers should encourage the scholars to enter. The Vicar is catechising on Sunday, and Rev. C. L. Wilson on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. The Women's Guild held a social evening preparatory to the Sale of Work, and had a very enjoyable time. The days fixed for the sale were beautifully fine. The Bishop most kindly opened it with a capital speech, but owing to sickness and counter-attractions our usual patrons did not come, and our Parishioners were very indifferent m their interest. Hence business was slacker than usual. However, over £30 was made and the Guild most kindly gave it as a donation to the Sunday School Extension Fund. Last week the Guild met and asked Mrs, Collins, the President, to accept a handsome piece of f arniture as a slight acknowledgment of her long and faithful services' to the Guild. The Vicar made the presentation, and also one to the Secretary, Miss Faulknor. Both these ladies and every member deserve the best thanks of the Vestry for their valued work. The contract for enlarging the School has been let to Mr. E. L. Smith, whose tender was the lowest. The work is already m hand and we can feel confident that it will be well and faithfully carried out by the contractor. The Confirmation will be held on Sunday, November 26th, m the morning The time being shorter than usual, owing to the Bishop leaving m February next for England, it behoves every candidate to be very regular m attendance at the classes. It will be necessary to have a Confirmation Class for a week or two after the Confirmation for instruction m the Holy Communion. The C.E.M S. held its usual meeting last week, when several remits from the Conference m Christchurch were discussed. It was resolved to ask Dr. Bernau to give a talk on " Social Purity " on the 2oth. The Rev. C.-L. Wilson, Mr. T. Faulknor, and Mr. Aubrey Tuke were duly admitted at yesterday's Morning Service by\the Vicar. At the Corporate Communion afterwards some 20 members attended. It was a very helpful service, and over 80 Communicated for the day, The early service was also well attended. We regret to hear that Mr. Nelson, for many years stationed here and the father of our former Choir members, has undergone a serious operation at Whangarei. We hope to hear good news of him, and also of Mrs. Proflitt, who is stillln the Hospital. The candidates of the G.F.S. held a most successful evening last week. Miss L. Tuke had the valued help of some of the G.F.S. to look after the stalls, where a good trade was done. The children thoroughly enjoyed their games. The Junior branch of the Physical Culture Club gave a very good exhibition of what they had so well learned under their instructress — Miss M. McCartney — who was

rightly congratulated on her efforts. Several songs and recitations were given and, appreciated. At the conclusion the Vicar handed the following successful competitors their prizes:— Ruth Proffitt and Emily Chegwidden, equal first; Hazel Rolls, progress ; and Katie Mullaney, progress special prize. He also presented Miss McCartney with a silver hatpin holder, and . Miss Woodcock with a silver serviette ring for acting as pianiste for the season. BAPTISMS. " Suffer little Children to come unto Me." Lucy Moana Watkins, Eva May Bond, Rita Dorothy Fristy, John Leslie Houghton, Lorna Amokura Chapman, Gwendoline Cole, Vivian Dorothy Rowe, Walter Oliver Jones, William Henry Hyde, John Albert Chicken, Phyllis Leonie McDougall, Jean Purvis Northe. MARRIAGES. " Heirs together of the Grace of Life." John Norman Jones to Henrietta Sutton, Alexander MeQuoid to Carrie James, Alfred William Apperley to ]>fary Eliza Goodall, Andrew Pearson to Rosina Watson. BURIALS. " Blessed are the dead which die m the Lord. 11 Sarah Ellen Goldsmith, 46 years; Mary Ann Dolbel, 67 years; Emma Carlson, 43 years; Robert Paton, 56 years; Frederick Walter Slater, 28 years ; Vera Rowbottom, 8 months ; Henry Trask, 36 years. S. Andrew's, Port Napier. Vicar : Rev. 0. Dean. A clear balance sheet was presented at our annual meeting, the most satisfactory feature being that the general offertories shewed an increase of several pounds for the financial year. A nourishing Branch of the Mothers' Union was at work and its membership is on the increase ; as well as an energetic Branch of the C.E.M.S. The following Vestry was appointed : — Churchwardens : Captain Lake (Minister's), Mr. J. Edgeley (People's), and Messrs. Mount joy, P. Smith, Speight, W. Saunders, Handley, Howell, and Pirani. The local Branch of the C.E.M.S. is "going strong," having effected several important improvements m the Church grounds. The officebearers for the year are :— President, Captain Lake ; Vice- Presidents, Messrs. Edgeley and Mountjoy ; Secretary, Mr. J. Prebble. His Lordship the Bishop preached to a crowded and attentive congregation on Sunday evening, September 17th. . The monthly meeting of the Mothers' Union was held on 7th September. There was a large attendance. The service was conducted by the Rev. 0. Dean, Vicar of the Parish, who gave a helpful address on • " The Upbringing of Children." Afterwards the members and their friends adjourned to the Schoolroom for tea, and Mrs. U. Hill entertained them with a most interesting account of her recent tour round the world.