CHURCH MEETINGS

ST. THOMAS-

The annual meeting of parishioners ofSi. Thomas' Anglican Church, Wellington South, was held on Tuesday evening. There was a record attendance. The vicar (Rev. W. Fancourt). presided. The vicar briefly outlined the work of the year, and on his motion a hearty vote of (.hanks was accorded to all church workers. He said he expected to be leaving the parish at the end of June. After twelve happy years he would find it hard to leave. His new parish was All Saints', Palmerston North. It was announced that the Rev. C. V. Rooke, of Hunterville, was appointed as the new vicar. During the year there had been 23 funerals, 87 baptisms, 25 marriages, 27 confirmed, and 328 communicants for last Easter (a record).

The report of the vestry. stated that the finances were satisfactory, as would be seen by the statements and in comparison with last year; the general offertories had increased by abcut £75, but the Sustentation and Curacy Fund showed a decrease of about £10 each. The special offertories for mission and diocesan objects nearly til shiwed an increase. They commence the new financial year with a credit balance of £32, although the expenditure had necessarily been greater owing to the increased assessment and other charges. "We sincerely regret," added the report, "the approaching departure of our vicar, the Rev. W. Fancourt, from this district, after so many years of faithful ministration amongst us, justifying the general desire that he should'continue here, yet we most heartily congratulate him and his new parish." Outlines were given of the various activities of the church work in the parish.

Officers for the year were elected as follow:—Vicar's warden, Dr. J. H. Kemp; people's warden, Mr. J. W. Salmon ; vestry, Messrs. -F. J. Ballinger, R. Bell, A. T. Burnette, W. F. Christie, C. Conway, R. F. Drummond, M. -G. Grenside, J. j Harmer, A. Priddle, and W. B. Turvey. Messrs. F. Hall and G. G. Schwartz were reappointed auditors.

At the conclusion of tha evening's business supper Was handed round by lady members of the congregation.