CHURCH MATTERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 137, 16 July 1914, Page 3

CHURCH MATTERS.

ST. JOHN'S, LYTTELTON. ANNUAL MEETING. There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Lyttelton, last evening. The Rev. J. J. Bates presided. In his address the pastor referred, to the progress of the church during the past seven years. It was fifty years ago last May since the foundation stave of the church was laid, and on the,, first Sunday in January next it would be tbe jubilee of the church. Great losses had been sustained during the past year by the deaths of the late Mr G. Laurenson, M.P., and Captain J. McLeaa, both of had been energetic workers." . It was decided to place on record the services rendered by the late Captaia McLean and Mr Laurenson, and a motion of condolence with the relatives of the deceased waa passed, the congregation standing. The session clerk, Captain R. Hatchwell, reported that the year's attendances, with the exception of the children, had not shown any marked .improvement.'Four names had been added to the communion roll, bringing the membership up to 101. The financial statement showed thatjihe receipts for the year were £415 6/7, and expenditure £384 11/2, leaving a credit balance of £45 15/3, compared with £l4 19/10 the previous year.

Captain Hatchwell, as superintendent of the Sunday School, also reported regarding the progress of the juve«ile branch' of the church. - Owing tm removals and ill-health, several teachers had been forced to resign. The r©H number stood at 92, with an average attendance of 68. The receipts for tke year amounted to £2O 12/2, and expenditure £l9 13/1, the receipts including a balance of £6 11/11$ from the previous year. There was a credit balance of £1 9/1. The report of the building fund treasurer (Mr F. W. Anderson) showed a deficit of £224 8/11. Office-bearers were elected as follows: —Managers, Captain 3. Wallace, and Messrs Donald Sinclair, W. Louttet, Eadie, G. Vincent, H. Mills, Jas. Gower, Preston, Davis, Mcllray, Bruce, Wendetburri, A. Johnson, J. Young, A. Ealham, and J. Wilson; elders, Captain R. Hatchwell (session clerk and congregational treasurer),.and Messrs R. C. Low (secretary of managers' committee), A. Henderson, P. Anderson, and R. Law. Resolutions were passed expressing appreciation of the action .of the Government the introductioa of the Referendum Bill, and with the proposed Liceasing Bill. A protest was passed against the proposed legislation for -increasing the number, of- racing days. It was decided to use every endeavour to fdr a jubilee f«.a<3U r ../ 'i •- . I■'

A satchel with a Jburglar-alarm .attachment "is one ;of; latest ideas for protecting bank messengers and paymasters from thieves. Inside the satchel are bells and a revolver loaded wltfc blank cartridges, under the. control -•£ a mechanism similar to the coihbinatloa. lock on a safe. As long as the satchel is in the hand of the messenger it is quiet, but as soon as he lets .go of ifc the bells begin to ring and the revolver is fired.