LOCAL REFERENCES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14983, 2 June 1914, Page 7

LOCAL REFERENCES.

At the memorial parade of the Veterans' .Association'on Sunday afternoon, tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland) made feeling reference to the terrible disaster to the Empress of Ireland, and said that the occasion was ah appropriate ono for a resolution of sympathy for those who had last their loved'onas. He would niovo that this large gathering of Christchurch citizens assembled to do honour to their sous fallen in South Africa, express their sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the sorrowing on"3 who had suffered bereavement by the terrible disaster that befel the Empress of Ireland. Tho motion was carried in silence, tho largo as_emblago bowing their heads in token of assent.

Feeling reference to the din-aster was made by the Rev. Mackenzie Gibson, at Aii Saints' Church, Sumner, on Sunday. After his sermon ho said he could not conclude tbo sendee without asking those present to let their hearts go forth in sympathy with all thoso who were sufferers in the disaster, and also the hundreds and thousands of relativ.* and friends who were bowed down with grief by the loss of so many valuable lives. He also asked the prayers of the congregation for those who had lost tho'.'' lives.

At tho Christohurch Mothodist Ministers' Association's meeting yesterday, twenty-threo members being present, tho following resolution Was carried :—"That this meeting of tho Christchurch Methodist Ministers' Association expresses its deep regret at the loss of life involved in tho wreck of tho 8.8. Empress of Ireland in tho Gulf of St. Lawrence, and hereby commends to God's sustaining grace all those to whom this wreck has brought a sore bereavement."

At the Same meeting this further resolution was also carried: —"That this meeting has heard with great sorrow of the terriblo loss of life involved in the wreck of tho s.s. Empress of Ireland on tho St. Lawronce, including a number of Canadian Salvationists. This meeting expresses its deep sympathy with local members of the* Salvation Army in tho loss of their comrades, and prays that tho bereavement may bo sanctified by the consolation of tho Holy Spirit to the wider extension of the Kingdom of Christ. "