VICAR'S LETTER.

My Dear People,-

May I wish you one and all a very Happy New Year. One knows the year begins with grave anxieties to many people throughout England. It is not cheering to start by paying the inflated Land and Income tax. The outlook on the world also is anything but cheering. Much that seems gloomy confronts people everywhere. At home there is still the grave problem of unemployment. Abroad there is uncertainty and much unrest. Twenty shillings have become thirteen and sixpence. The pound has altered in value, and this causes extreme difficulty in dealing with other countries. Everywhere the cry is economy, and it may be we have yet to face further retrenchments. It is the British prerogative to grumble; also we generally manage to conquer adverse circumstances - confident when failure seems inevitable.

It is useless being pessimists, and looking on the black side. We all had our Christmas dinner, and few have gone short of necessities. Now let us start a New Year in hope. The worst seldom happens. May the coming year see our country returning to a firmer economical position; may it witness an era of peace within the borders of our far-flung Empire.

In our own little parish let us pull together for the common welfare. In our Church life let us show greater devotion and reality. As the Bishop of Manchester wrote in December, "Let us Christians be more Christian."

So will 1932 be charged with blessings.

Yours sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER.

Mrs. Cook, our new Headmistress, took up residence at the School House, on December 23rd. Mr. and Mrs. Hay, her parents, are residing with her. We trust they may all be very happy in our midst

SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT.

This was held on Tuesday, December 29th, and the young people had a very happy party. After tea they played games, and some of the girls gave an exhibition of country dancing. Then the prizes were distributed by Mrs. W. H. Luck, and following this each child and teacher fished for a present and none drew blanks. The National Anthem was sung, and as the children departed there was an orange and a bag of sweets put into their hands. We have to thank Colonel and Mrs. R. G. E. Locke and Mr. and Mrs. Luck for their kind donations. Commander Pitcairn provided crackers. Mrs. Rainey sent us the oranges. Miss Faussett Osborne most kindly selected the presents whilst in London, which left the Vicar only the prizes to buy. Mesdames Baxter and Atwood looked to the catering arrangements. To one and all we express our gratitude.

CAROLLERS.

The choristers went carolling as in former years and the Vicar wishes to thank those who contributed to the Boys' Choir Fund. The money was divided out amongst the lads by the Vicar on Boxing Day.

WHIST DRIVE AND SOCIAL.

The local Branch of the British Legion very kindly arranged another Social the week before Christmas, and gave the proceeds to the Church Safe Fund. The Vicar and Churchwardens desire to thank the members of the Legion Committee for their kindness.

G.F.S.

Miss Evelyn Donaldson and Miss Barbara Locke were responsible for a pleasant gathering of the Girls Friendly Members and Candidates on December 31st. Games, tea, and games were the order of the day, accompanied with much screaming. The more girls scream the more they seem to enjoy themselves. The Misses Mackinnon came and helped to entertain the guests.

DAY SCHOOL.

The children finished their term by having a Christmas party, which was arranged oy the staff. Father Christmas visited the school, and caused much mirth. Scholars should be very grateful to their teachers for taking such an interest in them. All were sorry to say good-bye to Miss Hodges, the relieving Headmistress. Whilst she has been at the School she has thrown herself enthusiastically into the work and play of the children, and done all she could to make the school a happy place. She introduced several new educational methods, and encouraged the team spirit in her class. The Vicar conveyed the thanks of the Managers to Miss Hodges for all she has done, and Colonel Locke and Mrs. Luck were present at the break-up.

An excellent report has been received from H.M. Inspector, who visited and examined the Day School in December. The only real criticism he made was than the infants' room is too small to give room for free action. This is a matter not easily remedied. If the plan of taking children over eleven to a Central School eventuates, then we shall find the school larger than is necessary.

BURIALS.

Dec. - Joseph Lacey, aged 77 years.

Dec. 30 - Emma Evans, aged 85 years.

WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY.

Mrs. W. H. Luck is the local Secretary for this Society, which is the great Church of England Institution for rescuing orphans and destitute children. £7/19/9 has been forwarded to Headquarters this year. This sum was obtained by collection boxes, through a Church collection, and from the children's Lent offerings.

Our local treasurer has forwarded £1/17/2, being a Sunday's collections, to the Hostel of St. Luke in London.