DUNEDIN CITY MISSION

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 37

DUNEDIN CITY MISSION

The twenty-third annual meeting of the Dunedin City Mission was held in the Town Hall on Friday afternoon. Mr G. M Thomson presided, and among those present were the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), Mr T. K. iSidey, M.P. The Rev. A. M. Finlayson engaged in prayer. - The Chairman moved trie adoption or the report, and said he had been told the other 'day by someone that the City Mission was a one-man show, but a good many important works in the world had been one-man shows. He could think trf two in our own community—the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society and the work dona by the Rev. Vincent King. In such "shows wo depended almost entirely upon personality. It was because the People believed thoroughly in the good work Mr Wright carried on that the mission was the success it was Mr Thomson went on to refer to two or three matters in the report, one of which was appreciation of the work done by Mr Wright. He had had no less than 21000 children pass through his hands. The society had for some time ceased to make any appeal to the publio for funds, but he did not know that they would not have to fall back, on tho public. Mr Wright's work did not so much lie among those who had turned away from spiritual ordinance, as thosa who had been neglected. It was extremely difficult for a minister to keep in touch with people who had nominally no connection with the church. Mr Wright's work lay largely among such people. They all recognised that his work

was of the same character as that carried on by a number of earnest workers in the community. His work in the'schools was unique, and it was to be regretted that they had no under-study for Mr Wright. Speaking of the Bible in 6ehools, the chairman referred in grateful terms of acknowledgment to the assistance given by school committees, school teachers, and others. It was a remarkable testimony to Mr Wright's work that after school hours the children were willing to stay in for half an hour, or three-quurters of an hour, for Bible lessons, and such, of late years, had been the interest that the largo rooms had been crowded. As to the finances there was a credit balance of £4 Is lid, and it might be necessary to ask the publio for a littlo more than had been givon in the past. They hoped they would not have anything to spend on tramway passes and ho felt quite Buro the City Council would grant the concession in this direction as it had done in the past for philanthropic work. The Mayor seconded the motion, and referred to the good work the society was doing. The motion was carried. Miss Ross (Colimiba College), having expressed her appreciation of the work carried on, referred to the fact that it was non-sec-tarian, and moved: " That this meeting record best thanks to numerous friends and helpers of the Dunedin City Mission ; who have in many ways assisted the missionary and strengthened his, hands, and specially thank all those who, in town and country, have so generously contributed to the funds of the mission during the past 22 years." Tlie motion was seconded by the Rev. Vincent King and carried. Mr T. K. Sidoy, M.P., moved, Mr W. Fleming seconded, and it was resolved: — *' That this publio meeting of subscribers and friends of the Dunedin City Mission expresses deepest sympathy with and warm approval of the Home Mission efforts by Mr Duncan Wright, and again commends nim and his work amongst old and young to the kindly good feeling of all interested persons." The Rev. C. Dallaston moved, and Mr Sidey eeconded, that the .following gentlemen, who retired by rotation, be re-elected: Messrs G. M. Thomson, E.- Rosevcar, J. B. Shaddock. P. L. Clark, and Peter Barr, and that the committee for the year be Messrs John A. D. Adams, John B. fehacklock, William J. Love, James fi. Wilkinson, Hugh Mitchell, P. L. Clark, John Barnes, and Harry R-enfree. The motion was agreed to. Mr G. M. Thomson was elected president; Messrs E. Aslin and W. T, Talboys vice-presidents; Mr E. Rosevear treasurer; and Mr D. Wright secretary. The chairman referred to the fact that it would be 56 years the next day since Ife arrived in the dominion, and he expressed sympathy with Mr Wright in the trouble he had passed through. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. U. Spence, and the meeting terminated.