Puketapu.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 9, 1 March 1916, Page 126

Puketapu.

Vicar: liev.M. IF. Butterfield, 8.A., B.D. It is really time we had a little news m this column to show that wje are alive. Only a few copies of the " Gazette " have been taiken m this district hitherto, but as we have forty copies 1 per month supplied to us now we should make use of it. The Bishop visited part of the district at the end of January. Mr Kinross White kindly lent his car to take the Bishop and the Vicar as far as Patoka. There the Bishop called on as many of the residents as possible and stayed the night at Mr Roils. • On Sunday Mr Dunnage motored us to Puketit'lri. The weather was moist but not nearly wet enough to account for the absence of so many from Divine Service. I hear that several settlers were away on holiday, but even so we might have done better. The Bishop preached at Matins and celebrated. Alter service we shared the kind hospitality of Mr and Mrs Simcox, and the Bishop baptised their infant son. Service at Patoka was well attended as usual. Mr Bennett then motored us to Rissington*. We had tea at Mr Geoffrey Moore's, at Riverbank, and were motored afterwards to the Schoolroom. There was a large congregation, although several of the usual members of it were prevented from being present. The Schoolroom had been specially prepared for the occasion ; new curtains were hung over the windows, and vases of flowers placed very artistically m various parts of the room. Every effort had been made to make the room as fit as possible for the service. The Bishop administered Confirmation to five candidates.

The Vicar has to thank Miss Spencer for her valuable help m preparing the S3 candidates for Confirmation. We were the guests of Mr and Mrs F. Hutchinson, Jr., on Sunday night, and by him 'we were motored back to town next day. The Bishop enjoyed 1 the kind hospitality everywhere accorded him, and looks forward' to similar visits again. The Parish Picnic was held "n Saturday, February sth, and' Was velt attended. Our " dear little Sunday School," with its handful of pupils, was m evidence.' The Sunday S hool prizes were distributed, and a programme of sports duly appreciated. Organised by Mr Joe Bdcknell, a collection had been made amongst the members of the congregation for a small memento for Miss Ballawtyne, m acknowledgment of her two years' faithful service as organist. This took the form of a beautiful wristlet watch. We were sorry that Miss Batlantyne was unable to be present, and we missed 1 Miss Mountfort, to whose energy, for two years, the School owed its existence. The day was very warm, but everything passed off happily. Country Communions.— The Vicar is very anxious that if J3ossible no Sunday shall pa<ss by without a Celebration of the Holy Communion somewhere m the parish. Celebrations are now held -whenever possible, and as the opportunities are so few, communicants should not allow oil© of them to pass without taking advantage of it. A private Communion set, or at least a small portable one, is urgently needed. I know it has only to be mentioned and someone will supply it. I think we have some of the most generous people m New 'Zealand m -this district. We are proud to know how much people are doing for the various war funds and do not like to ask for too many things just now, but still there aio some urgently necessary. The Vestry are mowing m the matter of buying or building a Vicarage. It is felt that this can be done more advantageously now than after the war when the price of building material will have risen considerably. The Vicar has found the motor cycle and side-car a very great Iwlp m his work, but is still dependent on the horse and gig for rough travelling. Mr Beamish V>as most kindly had the gig and harness all <!/me up. The Vicar takes this opportunity of expressing his thanks to him a-ii 1 to other parishioners who are constantly helping m one way or another. The Vicar would be grateful if relations of soldiers on service wouid send him their names so that, they may be remembered m the great intercession at our Sunday Eucharists. Parishioners throughout the district were heartily pleased to hear of the honour bestowed upon Sir An-

drew Russell, of Tamumu. We heartily congratulate him and Lady Russell and hope they may be long spared to ' enjoy the dignity so fittingly bestowed. The Vicar will be away m <Jamp at Rangiotu from March 16th for ten days, but will try and get the Services on the 19th supplied. The Rev. R. Biat'hwayt, o>f Hastings, will -preach at Puketapu- on Ash Wednesday evening.