ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18678, 29 April 1926, Page 15

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, ASHBURTON.

The annual meeting of the St. Stephen 's Anglican Parish was held last evening, when the vicar (Rev. J. F. Wiseman) presided. The vicar, in his annual report, stated that in the year ended March 31st last there had been 79 baptisms, 14 marriages, and 50 burials. Sixty-eight persons were confirmed (34 males and 34 females). Jt was fitting that reference should be made to the great loss sustained by the parish by the death of Mr W. Page, whose services to the church were many and valuable. As warden and vestryman his energy and readiness to help at all times, hi's ley"lty and courage, were exemplary. Mr Wiseman expressed thanks to all individuals and organisations who had assisted in the work of the church. The churchwarden's report stated that the year had been most successful, and the position generally in the parish was very sound. The* balance-sheet showed receipts for the year of £ll7O 17s lid. The sum of £ll2 3s 3d had to be paid off the purchase price of the section adjoining the church, leaving a balance of £998 3s 3d owing. Of the original cost (£1293 14s), £295 10s f'd had now to be paid. The Parish Hall fund now stood at £478 2s sd. The special canvass of the parish had realised £lO9 10s. The principal items of income were offertories £38!) 10s lOd, parochial envelopes £220, donation from estate of the late E. G. Wright £9O 17s (id, leaving a debit at the bank of £l3B 12s 7d. Jn addition, £163 Ss 7d was raised for missions.

The following officers were elected:— Vicar's warden, Mr J'. P>. Coward; people's warden, .Mr E. C. Bathurst; Messrs C. G. .M. Boyce, E. 11. Childs, W. C. J. Osmmi, A. E. Saville, K. H. Viggar, Brady, G. Cowen, W. B. Thomas, T. 8. J. Doherty, and W. Thompson. Mr J. T. Oram was appointed the Fairton representative. Arrangements for a welcome to the Bishop, Et. Rev. Dr. Campbell WestWatson, and Mrs West-Watson upon their visit to the parish on May Bth were left to a committee consisting of the wives of the wardens and vestrymen and representatives of the Ladies' Guild, Girls' Club, and Mothers' Union. The vicar voiced regret at the departure of Mr L. O. Oppenheim, who has been transferred to the Christchureh branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association on promotion. Mr Oppenheim had • excellently superintended the Sunday School for the past five, years, and probably some other occasion might be taken to thank him for the interest he had taken in the church. A comprehensive vote of thanks was passed to all who had assisted in the work of the church during the past year.