ST SAVIOUR'S GUILD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10600, 8 March 1895, Page 3

ST SAVIOUR'S GUILD.

A meeting of St Saviour’s Guild was held last night, when there was a good attendance, and tho Bishop of Chriatchurch occupied tho chair. The annual report stated that the Council, having received from the Government a grant in aid of rescue work, had established & receiving home, but was afraid it could not be kept up with the present position of the Council’s finances. A number of new members had been elected during the past year, Mies Torlesae, honorary lady superintendent, had announced her intention of leaving on a visit to England, and during her absence Miss Vousden had been appointed acting superintendent, Sister Edith having offered the services of Probationer Cotterill to assist Miss Vousden at St Mary’s. Mra Godfrey and Mra Bridge had been appointed as visitors to superintend the refuge. Tho Rsv C. Coates had been appointed by the Warden as chaplain ia place of Mr Thorpe, resigned. The Rev A. W. Avsrill had been appointed to a seat on the Council ia the place of the Rev W. S. Bean, resigned. The Council desired to place on record its appreciation of the services of Mrs Sopor and Mrs Marryatt, who had resigned their positions in the Guild during the year. Tho honorary Indy Superintendent reported on the work done in connection with St Mary’s Homo and the Refuge during the year. In both of these institutions a considerable amount of good work had been done, and several woman of she unfortunate class had been saved, it was hoped permanently, from a life of degradation and open sin. There was esili great used of patience and continued effort on the part of those engaged in the work.

The committee appointed to consider the divorce laws of the colony with a view to suggesting desirable amendments, reported in favour of certain principles being embodied in any future legislation on the subject. Tho committee considered that tho law should be the same for both men and women, and that for certain causes judicial separation should ba granted, but that this should not free the man or the woman from their obligations to maintain their families. Any weakening of the marriage tie as it was at present was to bo strenuously guarded against. It was resolved to consider the report at a special meeting, to be called in April next. Tho balance-sheet showed that two donations of £l5O each had been received from tho Government during the past year, and that tho Guild at present bad a email credit balance at the bank. This concluded the business, and the proceedings closed with tbs benediction.