PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1924, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I’AI.MICHSTON X.. November-12. The Presbyterian General Assembly resumed to-day. The report of the Life and Work Committee stated that it had furnished the Racing Commission with the Church view on the moral aspect of gambling, hut. without favourable result. During the past decade the number of race days and totalisator investments bad steadily increased. To-day gambling was our greatest social evil. Judges and magistrates expressed themselves in uncertain terms. The Government Statistician recently reported that during 1923 a total oT -175 eases had been dealt with in the Magistrate's Court in respect of offences relating to gambling, resulting in 302 summaiy convictions and four committals to the f-'upreme Court, yet a proposal bail been brought before Parliament to increase the facilities for gambling, and so debauch the national conscience still further. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Internal Affairs had been oommunieated with. The Assembly's request to the Minister of Education to include in the “School Journal” articles on the evils of gambling had been renewed. In proffering such protests and requests the Church placed herself under a solemn obligation to keep her hands clean and particularly eliminate all rallies and objectionable deview from sales of work etc.

The Mayor (Mr F. J. Nathan) welcomed the General Assembly and congratulated the Moderator, Mr Miller, upon his election. The statistical report showed a general increase in Church attendance and persons under pastoral care. The average net increase' of members during the last three years was 1311.

A big home mission rally was liel I in tell Opera House. An illuminated address and a photograph of himself and his horse, "Mick ’. were' presented to the Rev. A. M'Xair whose record of service' in outstaiions of the South Island is unique in the annals of home mission work, kor o'er four years his horseback itinerary has been front AVanaka in Otago through Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelsin to Tukaka on the eastern side of the ranges from TnUaku down through West land as far south as llaast Pass, lie has carefully explored the rugged courses of many rivers, visited station homesteads, shepherds’ huts, and rahbiters’ camps, and penetrated tbo distant West to meet lonely prospoe-lnrs folk ill remote mining villages, isolated .soldiers and civilian settlers.

I. — DISTRICT HANDICAP (ill Mill die). Si) siivs., second Imrse to receive 1(i siivs. anil 3rd horse 8 sovs from llio sink-:*. For horses whici have boon in olio of 4.1 io Counties ol liullor. limiig.ihun, Drey or Westland. or any Wost Coast Rornugh, for at least throe months ininioiliatoly prior to the race, ami owned hy rosidonts of the said Counlios "l lioronrd's. Nomination ‘2os, accept anoo :10s. IV miles. *2.—KAN I 111? I HANDICAP (in harness), !-:<) so vs., second horse to receive 18 sovs, and 3rd. horse !) sovs from ihe stake, liorsos in this event will ho handicapped to do 2.30 oi hotter. Nomination 20s. acceptance 30s. 1 mile. 3. lil.Ml' COI/PI’IKI/DS IIANDICAI (in saddle). 00 sovs.. second horse tr receive IS sovs., and 3rd. horse ! sovs. from the stake. For nnhopploi! trotters only. Horses in this event will he handicapped to do 3.57 oi heller. Nomination 20s, acceptance 30s. I V miles. I.—AYKSTI.AND TROTTTXO CUT! HANDICAP (in harness). 170 sovs, and silver clip to he presented hy the Hokitika hit eased Victuallers, second horse to receive 31 sovs. and 3rd. horse 17 sovs. from the stake. Horses will he handicapped to do 3.50 or hotter. Nomination 30s, acceptance s(ls. 2 miles. S.—ST A KFORP HANDICAP (in saddle) 00 sovs.. second horse to receive IS sovs. and 3rd. horse !) sovs. from the stake. Horses will lie handicapped to do 3.10 or hotter. Nomination 20s. acceptance 30s. I! miles. O. —DOMINION TROTTERS HANDICAP (in harness). 103 sovs., second horse to receive 20 sovs., and 3rd. horso 10 sovs. from the stake. For unhoppled trotters only. Horses will he handicapped to do 5.12 or hotter. Nomination 20s, acceptance 355. 2 miles. 7.— AVIATION HANDICAP (in harness), 00 sovs.. second horso to receive IS sovs. and 3rd. horse 9 sovs. from the stake. Horses will he handicapped to do 3.5 or hotter. Nomination 20s. acceptance 20 s. 1 P. HANDICAP (in saddle). 90 sovs.. second horse to receive 18 sovs. and 3rd. horse 9 sovs. from the stakes. Horses will Ik' handicapped to do 2.27 or hotter. Nomination 20s. acceptance 30s, 1 mile.

Nominations for all events will close with the Secretary. Mharf Ist.. Hokitika. on Friday. 12th. December. 1921, at 9 p.m. Handicaps will lie declared on Friday 2nd. January. 1925 at 9 p.m. Acceptances close with the Secretary on Saturday, 3rd. January, 1925, at 10 p.m. M. H. HOUSTON. lion. Secretary.