IN THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2110, 30 March 1914, Page 7

IN THE CHURCHES.

REFERENCES TO THE TRAGEDY. At most of the churches in tho City yesterday reference was nlado to tho sad tragedy. Speaking at St. Mary of tho Angels, Uoulcott Street, tho Rov. FatUer Taylor, one of tho Marist misiionaries, earnestly exhorted the congregation to pray'for the souls of the- deceased. When God chose to call people With.such terrible suddenness from tliis world often in His mercy ho choso those souls who;were prepared' for it. Similar reference was made at the same church iu tho evening by the Rev. Father Herring. Tho Rev. Father Kimbell, S.M., speaking at St. Anthony's Church, Brooklyn* also exhorted liis congregation to pray for tlio killed aiid injured and. the bereaved relatives. At tho New Theatre last evening the Rev. Knowles Sijiith took for his text: "It were bettor that I dio aud not live." The preacher said that they could not solve, the problem of death and; suffering, but. could understand riifire 6f the lessons that came out of it. The preacher mentioned' subsequent to- tie address that if a public fundral were beiiig arranged for, the Mission Silver Band Would take, part in it out of respect for the meiflbry of the deceased. The band played "The.Garland of Flowers" at the conclusion of the service, the congregation standing. ' At St. Paul's Anglican pro-Cathedral yesterday evening, special prayers were offered for tho sufferers by the explosion ar.d for the relatives of those who lost their lives. In tho course of his sermon tho Rev. A. M. Johnson made sympathetic reference to the disaster. At many of the churches throughout tho Hutt Valley reference v,as made io the calamity, and prayers wero offered' up oh behalf of tho bereaved ones. THE" INQUEST, As there is a mass of information to bo secured hy tho police* it is. not anticipated that tho inquest on those killed in the accident will be held before Wednesday. No definite time lias yet been fixed by tho Coroner (Mr. W. G. Riddoll, S.M.). , • ■ ,■ ' PUBLIC FUNERAL. It is proposed that the victims of yesterday terrible accident shall ,be- teiulered "a public funeral at thoUpper HUtt. This will in all likelihood take place to-nibfrow morning. : THE INSURANCES. ■ .The brick building occupied by HazleWbod and Co. is owned by that firm. It was valued by Mr. Hazlewbbd at £1200, and was'insured for £900 in the Alliance office. The stock, valued at £2800, <vas. insured in the Alliance offico for" £1800. Mr. Haziewobd'e partner is Mr. John Benge, brother of Mr. Herbert V. Benge (the paft-preprietor of the business conducted in the building where the explosion took place). Messrs. Behgo and Pratt's building was tho property of Mr. W. J. Wilkie, of .Upper Hutt, and was insured in tho Commercial Union office for £275. Tho stock was insured for £1800 "in the Giiardian office. In a statement to the police, Mr. Benge said that they. had just completed stock-taking, and. had valued tho stock at £2800. ~ .„._ . Upon the Provincial Hotel building, which is owned by Messrs. Staples and Co., there is a policy of £2700 in the Atlas Office and • the- out-buildings are insured in the samo offico for £350. The*" stock, furniture, .etc., ~,o.wned,.by the licensee, are insured,in.ihe.Lonciprij.Liverpool, and Globe Office, for £1000) and, Mr. Crabtreo also has a policy of £50, upon-personal, effects. Mr. Crabtrieb fisjiunajilo as[ ? yet to estimate tho amount of'.tuo damage, but in the case of both of tho building and its con- , tents tho damage is considerable^