Rotorua.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume III, Issue 6, 1 December 1912, Page 97

Rotorua.

Vicar: Yen. Archdeacon Tisdall, M.A. Curate: Rev. Percy G. Davis. The long-looked-for visit of the Rev. J. E. Watts-Ditchfield eventuated on September 25th. Mr. WattsDitchfield arrived on that evening at 5.45. At 7.15 p.m. he met the members of the local branch of the C.E.M.S., and at 8 p.m. he' addressed a meeting of men m the Parish Hall. There was a very good attendance at this' meeting, despite a number of other meetings and counter attractions set down for the same evening. Mr. Watts-Ditchfield was very cordially received, and gave 9 very stirring and eloquent address. At the close of the meeting he was taken down to the Te Ao Marama Mission House by the Rev. F. A l . Bennett, where he met and said a few words to the members of tne Maori Choir. Next morning, at 6.30,

a motor car was at hand, and our guest spent a couple of hours under the guidance of the Rev. F. A. Bennett, seeing the sights at Whakarewarewa, the Sanatorium grounds, and Ohinemutu. At the latter place a number of the Native girls had assembled at " Tana te Jlapua," and entertained the visitors with several poi dances. Then there was a rush to the Viicarage for breakfast, and away by the express at 9.30. Our Mothers' Union monthly meeting m October was addressed by Miss Leslie, deputation from the C.M.A. There was a very large attendance, and all present were greatly interested m Miss Leslie's description of missionary work, especially of the work m China where she herself, had once been stationed. A number of books on missionary subjects were exposed for sale, and quite a good number of them were disposed of. Our Parochial Missionary Association, m connection with the Diocesan Board of Missions, meets for missionary intercession and sturdy on the second Friday evening m each month. We have lately formed a small library : of missionary works, and each member of our Association is expected to take out a book each month and to read and study it before the next monthly meeting. Our annual Daffodil at Home this year .was held on September 18th, m the Assembly Hall. There was an excellent display of blooms, and some quite keen competition m the various sections. The attendance was not so large as we hoped for, but we cleared £14 for the Debt HjXtinction Fund. We have had to say farewell to our esteemed Choirmaster, Mr. F. M. Lyons, who has left Botorua to take up a more remunerative post m Sydney. A well-attended farewell social for Mr. and Mrs. Lyons was held m the Parish Hall on the evening of October 2nd. During the course of the evening the Vicar presented Mr. Lyons with a small purse of sovereigns on behalf of tne Church members, and wished him and Mrs. Lyons' God Speed and every blessing m their new home. For five years Mr. Lyons has been m charge of our Choir. He has also' been a very active member of the C.8.M.5., and one of our energetic band of lay readers.