PORT CHALMERS NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22326, 28 July 1934, Page 22

PORT CHALMERS NEWS

LIGHT AT POST OFFICE An electric light was installed over the posting boxes at the Port Chalmers Post Office yesterday. The necessity for such a light was urged by the Progressive League. It will be a great improvement and be appreciated by the residents. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Rev. J. Gilman Dunn presided over a good attendance of members and adherents at the eighty-second annual meeting of the Port Chalmers Presbyterian- Church on Wednesday evening. In his opening remarks the moderator referred to the church’s long history and to the list of members who had Occupied important positions in church, school, and business life in many parts of New Zealand and Australia. The church persisted through the changing years, because it gave a message mankind needed and made real to men the abiding presence of God. The Kirk Session report referred to the jubilee of the present church, which had been celebrated in October last. The communion roll at the end of the year showed a membership of 242. The attendances at the morning services had been very encouraging. Evening attendances had remained about the same. Bible .class work was being carried on efficiently under good leadership. There were 67 Bible class members and 131 scholars in the Sunday school. With a view to bridging the gap between the Sunday school and the Bible class a company of the Boys’ Brigade had been formed. The session commended the congregation on the support accorded to missions and schemes of the General Assembly, the generosity of the people, assisted by an anonymous donation of £lO, making it possible to hand over the sum of £IOO to the general treasurer. The P.W.M.U. bad, as in the past, rendered great assistance with the aid of the Girls’ Auxiliary and Busy Bees in keeping alive the missionary interest and helping to find the assessment for missions. With the aim of drawing all the women of the church together in the bonds of a closer friendship, a Women’s Fellowship had been formed. Another much appreciated organisation formed during the year was a winter club for the young women of the congregation. The' session thanked the choir members for their continued loyalty and contribution to the services. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr A. ,W. Chisholm (session clerk), seconded by Mr J. Miller.

The clerk of the Deacons’ Court and church treasurer (Mr W. D. Sutherland) moved the adoption of the report and statement of receipts and expenditure. The work of renovating the church and Sunday school hall had been completed, leaving the property in good order. The debt reduction scheme adopted last year had been launched by the court, with Mr J. L. Walker as. secretary, the monthly promises making possible* a reduction of about £OO annually. Two debentures had been paid off during the year. The year closed with a small credit balance, after paying the assembly budget assessment in full, £l3 15s to the P.S.S.A., and £4 2s 9d to the British Sailors’ Society. The motion for the adoption was seconded by Mr A. L. S. Cassie, who congratulated the congregation on the satisfactory state of the property and finances. The reports of the various missionary organisations (the P.W.M.U., Girls’ Auxiliary and Busy Bees), the Sunday school and Bible classes, the choir, Women’s Fellowship, Men’s Society, Young Women's Winter Club, and Girls’ Physical Culture Club, were adopted. The retiring deacons, Miss Johnston and Messrs W. D. Sutherland, Cecil Wade, and A. L. S. Cassie, were reelected with the addition of Mr J. Jelly. A vote of thanks to all who had assisted in the work of the church throughout the year was carried on the motion of Mr Dunn, supported by Mr W. J. Wilson. Apnreciative remarks were made in connection with the work carried out by Mr and Mrs Dunn, the speakers stating that both had good organising ability. Mr Dunn’s pulpit ministrations were of a high standard. The minister also took an interest in the welfare of the town. He was a member of the Port Chalmers School Committee and the Unemployment Committee. The meeting was followed by a social hour and supper provided by the Women’s Fellowship. Songs were ren-

dered during the evening by Miss Rene Farqnarson, Miss Ngacre Macpherson, and Mr Cassie, who were accompanied by the organist (Mr G. F. Miraras).