NORTH BELT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6501, 2 June 1899, Page 4

NORTH BELT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting- of the congregation of the North Belt .Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday. The Rev Dr Ervin was in the chair. The Kirk Session reported that the average attendance at public worship had never been so large as it had been during the past year. The week-night service had been maintained throughout the year, except during the summer holidays.' A monthly lecture on Sunday evenings was. intended to interest young men. There were at present 196 names on the Communion roll. The Financial Committee reported that, without any special appeal to the congregation, the income had been sufficient to. '•.meet current expenses. Sixty poundshad been paid off the debt, wliicli now stood at £438. The Sabbath School Committee reported that the number of scholars on. the roll was 268, with an average attendance of 181:; the teaching staff consisted of 17 ladies and 5 gentlemen. Atithe General Assembly's examination, the scholars had gained 58 prizes, out of the 214 taken by Christchurch schools, the total for New Zealand having been 553. The. financial position of the school was satisfactory. The reports of tlip. Christian Endeavour Society arid the Band of Hope was also read... After an address by the . Chairman, -Mr Gilbert Anderson brought ivp the question of erecting a new church, and on his motion, seconded by Mr A, Kaye, it was unanimously resolved to ; take" immediate steps to obtain subscrintioijc for -tie ju^os^ .of paying o ff f tbe debt of £438 qm the old church and erecting a new one,' oh.. tljo- understanding that the new building .was not «om,menced till half the amount required was in hand. Mr Anderson announced that nearly £550 had already been promised. A committee, consisting of Messrs Gilbert Anderson, A. Kaye, Gurney, T. :Turner,> J. Bain, P.^Barber^ind a V lr' vine, withipower to add tq their number, was appointed to take the matter in ]£« d After refreshments . were -served - : the ReF. Stubbs .gave- an -address and the^ choii contributed m"«oal selections; and the custon.vuy -votes ci tnnpks concluded, the busi.ness. ; -_, ■ . ■ .