Te Karaka Railway District.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 10, 1 April 1914, Page 134

Te Karaka Railway District.

Vicar: G. W. Robinson. It is some time since a report was sent from this district ; your correspondent must plead still more work, needing increased attention.' However, the longer the time, the more to write about, and m a new and constantly changing district, we have a deal to interest and to call for prayer and sympathy. The farewell visit of our late Bishop, though necessarily very brief, was greatly appreciated, but the deep note of regret at the coming loss- of one who hais taken a great and true interest m the work here, of which he was the founder, was very pronounced. Crowded services were held at Otoko and Matawai, the only two places it was possible for his Lord, ship to visit. At Matawai, after a most impressive service, the people remained for a brief conversation and exchange of farewells with " Our Bishop," whose parting words will be remembered with gratitude by all. Our thanks are" due to the ladies who handed round excellent refreshments. , The railway work here has slackened down very considerably, but \vr creased settlement and opening up of a large sawmilling industry have more than made up for. the lessened work on the line! It is a great pleasure to report more regular services and much improved attendance. Otoko keeps up well, when the small population is considered, while at Matawai and Motu, attendance is very good and regular. As soon as the new Communion vessels arrive, it is proposed (D.V.) to hold a monthly Celebration m each of the four centres here. The evejit of most importance, lp,-

-cally considered, since last writing, is one we all. regret— the departure of our good helpers, Mr and Mrs Ross, from the district. Mrs Ross had for upwards of two years acted as organist at Otoko and Matawai, and m every good work both she and Mr Ross never failed to render the best assistance, never sparing time or effort. To Mrs* Ross we owe m a large measure the improvement m our services, as her work m assisting "the young people m music practices, and so creating interest and regular attendance, has been of the best. A very large social gathering gave testimony to the worth of our departing friends, and the high esteem they won. They received a beautiful piece of plate as a farewell gift. The parish of Patutahi is fortunate m gaining such helpers. The Yen. Archdeacon Williams paid liis visit here m November, and assisted m the work of organising and forming a local committee, his advice and counsel being highly appre-. ciated. He also kindly took services •at Matawai and Motu, holding a Celebration of the Holy Communion, being ass sted by the Rev. G. N. Watson, Vicar of the parish. We were also very fortunate m receiving a visit from the Rev. F. W. Chatterton, who kindly acted as -special preacher at our services on the Maori Mission Sunday. All present much enjoyed the services, and the special offertories were considerabty larger than last year. It is a great pleasure to welcome new helpers to our district, where help is so much needed. Mr W. S. M. Cockerill, son of the late Vicar of Waipawa, has been appointed head teacher at Matawai (where a fine new schoolroom has recently been erected) and is very kindly assisting m our work. Mrs Cockerill has taken the place of Mrs Ross as organist, which is a great help, and we are thankful that new helpers have been sent m place of our good friends who have left the district. At Motu Mrs Ruby is carrying on the good work, and the bright services, with plenty of imusic, are enjoyed by all. On the 7th inst., a large gathering •of our Sunday School children was lield at Matawai for a picnic and prize day. The Otoko and Rakauroa children were kindly conveyed m the Public Work's train, and Motu friends -drove most of the children from there, upwards of one hundred children being present, the largest gathering of children ever held m the district. In «pite of rather cold weather the children had a good tjme, and we desire to thank the many friends who kindly provided for the wants of our large party. The attendance at the Schools has been very good. A word of thanks is due to our, helpers, Mrs Emmerson, ,at Matawai a^d Miss Crowley at Otoko. We Oaave to record the loss of Miss

Winnie Carter, who has left to go into training for a teacher, after two years' good work m the Rakauroa and Matawai Sunday Schools. Before her departure, she was presented with a ladies' watch from parents and children, m recognition of her good work. Her place has been filled at Matawai by Miss Armstrong. -, We shall soon be thinking of Holy Week services and Easter. It is proposed (■3>,V.) to hold lantern services at some of the places, and endeavour to teach, through the eye, as through' the ear, something . of the truth and blessed reality of the " one sacrifice for our redemption. May every effort both of others, as well as our own, result m blessing to the souls Christ died to save. BAPTISMS. Nov. 2nd., Charles Edwin Brown. Jan. 11th., Joy Constance Reed. MARRIAGE. John Richard Will to Florence Wolstenholme. BURIALS. Iris Ada Amelia Grantham, two months. Thomas Oates Randies, 43 years.