EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 6

EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY

MESSAGES FROM CHURCHES Deep sympathy with the relatives those lost in the fire was expressed yesterday by the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop West-Watson). The Church of England in Canterbury also expressed its sympathy to the principals of the firm on whom had fallen such heavy burdens of responsibility and loss, anxiety and distress, he said Sympathy with those involved in the tragedy, and with the relatives of those who had lost their lives, was expressed by the chapter of the Christchurch Cathedral last evening. The Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop West-Watson) yesterday ceived a telegram from the Bishop of Auckland (the Rt. Rev. W. J. Simrfm as follows: —“Church people of the Diocese of Auckland offer sincere sympathy with those who have been bereaved, with the firm of Ballantyne and with the Mayor and citizens of Christchurch.” Expressing profound grief and his sympathy for the bereaved, Bishon Lyons said: “The Catholic community which is itself heavily stricken bv low of life in Tuesday’s tragedy, shares whole-heartedly the great sorrow of our city, and expresses the ferven* prayer that Goa will comfort those who mourn and have mercy on the dead.” The Bishop added that in the Cathedra] of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday morning at 10 o’clock a Solemn Requiem Mass, at which he would preside, would be offered for the souk of the dead. The acting-president of the Method, ist Church of New Zealand <the Rev W. T. Blight, of Ashburton), who is at present attending the annual synod for the South Canterbury district in Timaru, said yesterday that in the name of the people of the Methodirt Church of New Zealand he desired to extend the deepest sympathy to all who had suffered loss of loved ones and who had suffered physical disabilities in Ballantyne’s fire on Tuesday, and also to the firm in its misfortune. “The Baptist Churches in Canter, bury wish to join in expressing a message of deep sorrow for the bereaved in the fire,” said the Rev. G. T. Beilbv. president of the Canterbury Auxiliary of the Baptist Union. “Special prayers will be offered on Sunday for all those who have suffered loss.” The president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce (Mr E. T. Beaven) yesterday expressed the deep, est sympathy of members in the company’s loss and with the relatives of those killed. A motion of sympathy with relatives of those who had died in the fire, was passed at a meeting of about 30 insurance companies yesterday morning. The Sisters of Nazareth, Brougham street, have offered their sincere sympathy to relatives. A motion of sympathy has been passed by the Riccarton branch of the Labour Party. The Royal Empire Society, the Victoria League, the Navy League, the Overseas League, and the Young Contingent of the Victoria League have postponed a ball which they were to hold this evening. The organisations expressed their deepest sympathy with the relatives of those who died’in the fire. “I am sure we are all very, very sorry to hear about the tragic fire and the serious loss of life,” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Mr L. B. Evans) yesterday. He added that two of the board’s employees had daughters among those missing, and members stood in silence as a mark of respect. On behalf of members of, the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, the president (Mr E. Orchard) yesterday expressed sympathy to the relatives of victims, and to the firm. The Christchurch central branch of the New Zealand Communist Party last evening passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the victims of Ballantyne’s fire.