PORT CHALMERS NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS NEWS

FIRE SERVICE HONOURS An enjoyable function was held by the Port Chalmers Fire Brigade last night in the Buffalo Hall, when several members were presented with service honours. The most important honour was "bestowed on Superintendent C. Macdonald, who received the New Zealand United Fire Brigades’ Association’s gold star for 25 years’ service. The other honours conferred were as follows: Deputy-superintendent J. M'Elwee, silver bar (19 years’ service); Senior Foreman W. Johnson, silver bar (21 years); secretary, C. E, Thetford, gold bar (17 years); Fireman J. Craig, gold bar (11 years); Fireman C. Craig, gold bar (11 years); Fireman H. B. Gibbs, silver bar (9 years). It lias been the custom in past years, after a member of the brigade had completed 25 years’ service, to present the gold star to him at a special function or at the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association, but Superintendent Macdonald preferred to receive his decoration at a gathering of his brigade comrades. UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE A meeting of the Port Chalmers Unemployment Committee was held on Thursday afternoon, when the Rev. W. H. Roberts presided. The Unemployment Board (Wellington) advised that it could not agree to the Port Chalmers Relief Workers’ Association handling mutton from the board’s stocks. A properly constituted public body or charitable organisation should shoulder the responsibility.—lt was mentioned that one organisation which had been in existence for some time had been supplying meat on favourable terms to relief workers. The committee decided to refer the Unemployment Board’s ruling to the Relief Workers’ Association. A farmer at Sawyers’ Bay was granted the services of four relief workers for a further term. The application of a single man for registration was approved, and also the application for registration of a man who had been engaged in other work for a short period. It was reported that there were indications of several relief workers being likely to obtain other employment. The question of relief workers owning registered motor cars was discussed in committee, SAWYERS’ BAY CHURCH The dedication service in connection with the opening of the new Presbyterian Church at Sawyers’ Bay was held on Thursday evening. A large congregation was present, and an inspiring service was conducted by the moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly (the Rev. H. J. Ryburn). In the course of his address he stressed the fact that the new church was erected to the glory of God, and exhorted the congregation to be loyal to its privilege of serving the Highest through the channels of the new building. During the service the choir rendered an appropriate anthem, and after the address “There Are Angels Hovering Round ” was rendered in memory of the occasion, 21 years ago, at the opening of the first church, when the foundation stone was laid by the late Captain Thomson. At the close of the service a social hour was spent (the Rev. J. G. Dunn presiding), during which items were rendered by Mr Galloway, Misses M. Hewitson and J. Chisholm, and three members of the junior choir —Alice Austin, Rhoda M'Donald, and Rita Skillbeck. The Rev. H. J. Ryburn, on behalf of the Dunedin Presbytery, conveyed congratulations and wished the congregation a new era of material and spiritual prosperity. Mr John Tait, senior member of the session of the Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church, referred in an interesting address to the development of the work of the church in Sawyers’ Bay over a period of 50 years, i Congratulations were given on behalf of the Anglican community by the Rev. W. H. Roberts, of the Anglican Church, Port Chalmers, while Mr T. Harkness spoke feelingly on behalf of the Methodist Church, and referred to one who had been a worshipper in the old church many years ago and was now serving in the mission field in China. The Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr J. Watson) offered his congratulations, and said he had always taken a keen interest in Sawyers’ Bay. Mr Mahson, of Milton, made reference to the progress that had been made, and expressed goodwill for the future. Mr R. D. • Poison, elder, of Sawyers’ Bay, thanked all who had assisted in so generous a way. The cost of the building, complete with equipment and essential fitings, was in the vicinity of £9OO. He thanked the contractor, Mr W. H. Thompson, of Dunedin, for his diligence in the work. Special reference was made to the work of the architect, Mr D. G. Mowatt, who had personally interested himself in the work and had been responsible for generous donations.

The building is in many ways a model for its sine. .The pulpit, communion table, choir rail, and' memorial window have been most artistically arranged. Good provision has been made to cater for the work among the young people of the congregation. With the aid of the usual grant from the synod the congregation is hoping at the conclusion of a month’s special services to be free of debt.

Mr D. Spence, student in charge of tie parish, paid a tribute of thanks to the members of the congregation for their devoted work.