PRESBYTERIAN CITY MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5, 5 March 1897, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CITY MISSION.

Last night the annual rseebin^ of the .Presbyterian Ciby Mission was held in Sb. Jamas's Hall, Wellington-street,, the Rev. T. P. Robertson presiding. Mr George Mill pr(;oonted the Committee's reports and balance-<sheeb, which ebowed i>haU the receipts for the year were £138 12? 9d, and tbe expenditure £123 18s 4d, leaving a balance in hand of £14 14s sd. Mr D. McPberson, City Miesiouary, ir. bis report stated bbatduring tbe last yearhe bad.visited between 300 and 400 families in the coarse of his mission to " lapsed " Presbyterians. Concerning other branches of the work, Mr McPherßon said :— " Regarding relieving work I have a benevolent; fund with which I pay for rent, food, medicine, lodgings and bods and meals tor men coming into the town. 1 have distributed a great deal of old clothing. The Y.P.S.C. E. has helped rue very much during fcha year, both with money and clothes which they h&ve made during their leisure hours. The poverty has died out to a groa'b extent theee two last year*, and I give mostly to those I know to be deserving cases. I have given many parcels of groceries, which are paid for by one of St. Jamns' naeinbers. I work. in harmony with the Chairtable Aid Board, the Freeman's Bay and Benevolent Society. Work amongst the shipping : 1 go or sand a substitute, every Sunday morning to the different) ships. We speak to the officers, urge tJiom bo attend the church during the time they are in port, leave a card, theu go to the sailors and give them tracts, and invibe them to church. We have some interesting conversation with them, When a steamer comes in wish passengers I go aboard and make thorn weicome to the port, offer my services and give any information I can. The work in the pricou : The Presbyterian service is held every alternate Sunday afternoon, when either Mr A. Jowitb or myself takes the service. The average attendance .is 50. I viaib during the week any eick PreVbyforiane. or do anything 1 can for any prisoner. Mr Roston, th«* governor, is most willing to help in any way he can. I vipib the hospital every Saturday afternoon, and other fcimus it there is occasion for it. We have also lady visitors from St. James who go on Thursday, These visits are well received. If we ctm we ;ielp the- poor by giving them clothing and mono ■-. There havo been ea3ea of conversion in the hospital. The Coatley home is visited every Thursday either by myself, or with a lady. Mrs FouWstar. Several of those present spoke in praise of Mr McPharaon's worU, end the Chairman suggested that Mr McV'herson phould ba provided with a bicycle W order to enable him to carry on his work more expeditioualv. It was stated that friends of the mission were invited to give practical assistance in thin direction.

The reports were adopted an bhe motion of Mr Patterson. The following office-beavers tt'ere elected for the enduing year :—Presiden ti Hey. T. F. Robertson; Treasurer, Mr H. Clark; Secretary, Mr George Mill; Missionary, Mr D. McPhercon ; Committee, B.'3vg. It. F. Maouicol, G. B. Monro, It. Scoth- West. R. Somuaervillc, Messrs J. O. Brov* n, T. Knight, G. Carter, J. PAtt<jr<>on. &. L. Stewarh. J C. Enrrican, G. Herd, iMrs Young, Minisea Frasor and Brifrhana.

Several musical selections were g\v<yn during the evening by ladies and gentlemen present.