CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 16

CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

SUNDAY WORK AT NIUE

The appeal of the Auckland Y.W.C.A. for funds to erect a new hostel and to pay off debts on the holiday-house was commended by the Council of Christian Congregations at the quarterly meeting, at which the Rev. Dr. Ranston presided. Miss Jean Stevenson, secretary of the organisation, briefly addressed the council.

That an observation ward for suspected mental cases had not been established at the Auckland Hospital, despite the fact that the Government had authorised the expenditure of £500 on such wards in' each of the four centres, was referred to by a member of the council, who thought it deplorable that the board had not taken action if it were only a question of finance. The question was referred to the executive. It was announced that Mr. J. P. Hooton would act as treasurer in future, Mr. C. Hudson having been compelled to relinquish the position. The secretary said a special meeting of the council would be held in July, when there would be a discussion on the military policy of th authorities in New Zealand. Rev. D. C. Herron would open the discusion with an address.

A resolution heartily supporting the protest of the native chiefs of Niue Island against the working of the New Zealand Government steamer Hinemoa on Sundays was carried by the council. The fact that during the 70 years before the New Zealand Government took over shipping in Niue no ship was ever worked on a Sunday was given special emphasis. The council strongly urged the Minister for Cook Islands to insist on the discontinuance of the Sunday working of the Hinemoa. in any circumstances. The council reaffirmed its united and earnest endorsement of the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, and urged upon the Government the necessity of passing the bill into law during the coming session of Parliament.