TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3645, 22 January 1924, Page 11

TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH

The quarterly meeting was held on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance of office-bearers. The total membership is 450, which is an increase of 18 as compared with the figures for the pievious quarter. Two members have recently passed away—Mrs Rhoda Patton and Mrs Spite. Deep regret was expressed, sympathy with the relatives being shown by the members standing. It was resolved that harvest thanksgiving services be held on the last Sunday in April, arrangements to bo left to the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse and the circuit stewards. The Sunday school reports, which showed a small increase in the attendance, were considered satisfactory. It was reported that the new Sunday school to be erected in Stuart street had £IO7O to credit in cash and promises. The Rev. J. F. Goldie is expected to be the deputation for the South Island in regard to foreign missions. It was resolved to tender a luncheon to Sir John Randles, an eminent layman, on his arrival from England shortly. Dr J. A. Sharp, ex-president of the Wesleyan Conference in Britain, is also expected to come here before lone and it is proposed to welcome him at a luncheon. Messrs E. Aelin and T. Smith were reelected circuit stewards for the ensuing year. Mr Aslin was appointed the representative to the conference, Mr T. Smith to go if Mr Aslin cannot go to Christchurch next month. It was decided to call a leaders’ meeting with a view to discussing the advisability of holding a series of special services during the winter months. Several speakers referred in appreciative? terms to the good work done by the Rev. L. A. G- Brooks, of Glenaven Church, whose term is drawing (to a close.

Several cases of the loss of money on Caroline Bay have been reported (says the Timaru Herald). One man lost £3O last week. Whether the money was stolen the owner cannot say. All he knows is that he had the money in one of his pockets when he went to the Bay, and that it was missing when he returned to his hotel. He says that he would not mind the loss of the money if he could recover the private papers which disappeared with it. The last step in the winding up of Gorman and other ex-enemy subjects’ pioperties in Samoa is now being taken under the Ex-enemy Absentees’ Property Order, 1923, and it is hoped that the whole of the affairs of the ex-enemv absentees will be completed in the near future. The Samoan Public Trustee is authorised very fully to take possession of any property, hold or dispose of it as he thinks fit, and to take

action if necessary through the court for this purpose. The proceeds of the realisation of the various properties are to be dealt with by Order of the Minister of External Affairs. A warning to settlers not to take up selections and then accuse the Government of putting men on land unfit for settlement was given by the Hon. J. G. Coates at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. “If a poor man goes on poor land,” lie said "he ia poor for the rest of his life. ilo dies poor, and someone has to bury him.’* To this hard saying the group of small selectors from Kerikeri voiced the assent born of experience. The number of marriages notified at the office of the Registrar ~t Hokitika during 1923 was 24, as against 25 in 1922, and the deaths 73 in 1923 and 64 in the previous year. The births totalled 133 las* year and 129 in 1922.