PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 2864, 24 April 1872, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS.

The anniversary tea meeting of the Congregational Church, Port Chalmers, was held last evening. The attendance, considering the unfavorable state of the weather and muddy condi'ion of the footpaths, was exceedingly good; the number being increased by a number of ladies and gentlemen from Dunedin, The tables, supplied by the ladies of the congregation, were replete with good things. After tea, the pastor (the Eev. J. Maxwell) took the chair, and the proceedings commenced with singing part of the 955 th hymn, after which the Rev, Mr Roseby engaged in prayer. The chairman then expressed the great satisfaction he felt in seeing so large an assembly, and stated the Church whose eighth anniversary they were then celebrating was founded under the pastorate of the Rev. J. Fraser, in the year 1564. Its past history, with which most of them were familiar, would show that it had had seasons of fl inshine and storm. He would state that the Sabbath attendance was very satisfactory ; there was also a marked improvement in the week evening service, which was very gratifying. About forty or fifty communicants were in regular attendance, and the Bible classes were also improving. The Treasurer (Mr Morgan) then read the balance sheet, which showed a balance of Lls 9s 8d to the credit of the past year. The chairman then called attention to the great loss the Church had sustained in the death of their late beloved and highly-esteemed pastor (the Rev. Mr Smith), An effort had been made to remove the debt of the church by the issue of debentures, by means of which they hoped to get rid of the payment of interest. A few days ago LI 00 had been raised by this

means. Several clergymen and gentlemen afterwards addressed the meeting.