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Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume III, Issue 4, 1 October 1912, Page 52

(To the Editor.) Sir, — In the report of the Conference of the C.E.M.S., held on Aug. 28, the chairman is reported to have said inter alia the Gisborne Branch "cannot be said to be m active operation." "By their fruit ye shall know them. 1 ' Our roll number is 36—

only exceeded by S. Matthew's Branch, Hastings. On this roll we include one Archdeacon, four priests, four, ordained missionaries at active work among the Maoris, two lay readers, Sunday school Superintendent, two Sunday, school teachers, six sidesmen m regular attendance morning and evening at Holy Trinity Church, six members of the choir, churchwarden, . and two vestrymen. We hold regular meetings for derelict men, fortnightly meetings for devotional purposes, and have an active Branch of S. Oswald's Guild. The attendance of men at the Sunday services is remarked by every visiting, clergyman. The Special Eucharist organised by our Society to meet the Bishop at 7.30 a.m. was attended by 130 men. Our first social for men was attended by 118 men. Among parish work we have assisted m the building of two Parish halls, ready to be opened when the Bishop comes, and m addition the new brick Parish Church is approaching completion, m aid of the funds of which one of our number organises regular monthly concerts. I think, Sir, m the face of the foregoing facts we may be forgiven for feeling we are very much alive, and that something other than brotherly feeling prompted the writer m making his uncalled for misrepresentation. I hope you will insert this m the next issue of the " Church Gazette," as it will serve, besides removing evident misconception, to show the amount of work that is being done by the C.B.M.S. m this Parish without parade or advertisement. — Yours faithfully, WIIXIAM TOMARTH, Hon Secretary.