CHURCH MEETINGS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3064, 27 April 1917, Page 8

CHURCH MEETINGS

PARISH OF ST. MAEK

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of parishioners in connection with the abovo parish was held last evening in the schoolroom, Dufferin Street.

Tho annual report stated that the revenues of tho parish had been fairly well maintained during the year. The general offertories showed a decrease of £5 15s. 6d., and the pow rents a decrease of £2 155.; on the other hand, the receipts from the annual sale of work increased by £25 Is. 6d. To avoid closing tho yoar'e accounts with a deficit the vestry made a special appeal for funds. Parishioners responded liberally, and tho'sum raised, £50 10s. 9d., enabled the churchwardens to meet all obligations in connection with foreign missions and to carry forward a credit balance ,of £26 Is. 2d. The

thanks of the vestry are accorded to all parishioners who so generously aesisted in this'' effort. In addition to ordinary 'expenditure no less a sum than £343 15s. wae raised during the yoar for mission irork; of this amount £100 was received from an anonymous donor for the purpose of building a church in Canton, China. The Diocesan Synod, in July last, approved the principle of church schools, and formed a board for the purpose of organising and opening schools when and where desirable. During the year tho parish contributed £100 3s. 3d. to tho Church Schools Fund, and the vestry- confidently commend tho movement to parishioners for their continued supuort. Tho* thanks of tho vestry are due to Mr. It. Evatt, secretary, of the Missionary and Benevolent Society., to lady collectors, and to all subscribers. This society is doing; good ivork, but more j subscribere ftre required v to take the place of those who have loft the parish. The annual sale of work realised the very handsome tota,l of £275 3s. Bd., nn increa-se of £25 Is. 6d. over last year's figures. The thanks of the vestry aro accorded to all' who assisted so earnestly in. securing this rosult. Tho Parish Maeazine is now on a sound financial basis, a rosult duo mainly to the cenorpus- efforts of tho distributors, and to tho joint treasurers, Messrs. Hawssley and Spierling. Tho thanks of the vestry aro duo to all who assist in this important work. Tiie Parish Trust Board's statement showed a total of £1378 9s. 3d. to .credit of tho robuildinc; fund, tin increaso of £38 17s. 10d. durinc the year. The thanks of tho parish are extended to Sunday school workers, choir members, decorators, bell-rincers, tho various parish societies and euilds, and all others who have- assisted in 'the work of the parish.

I The vicar, the Rev. C. F. Askeir, who iireßided, reviewed tho n-ork of ■the year and expressed pleasure at the improvement showa in attendance at church and in tho church lifo in tho parish. He concrotulated the' Rev. W. Thomson, who was leaving the parish' shortly to take up work in another district. Ho ateo announced that he had been fortunato in securing tho services of tho ftov., W. A. K«ay; who, besides being an able ureacher, Lad all the other qualifications which go to make an ideal c.urato.' Tho had approved of his talcing up important work in connection/with tho diocese, and lie hoped shortly to visit England in connection with this work, hut his heart was in Wellington; and he would most en rely roturn. ■

Tho report and 'balancc-slict>fc were adopted, and tho followinc ofßcers wore elected:—Vicar's churchwarden, Mr. W. H. Jladeloy: i>n'risb.ion'ors' warden, Mr. \V. J. Gandin; vestry, Messrs. R. E. lUwnsley.'G. \f. ■ Barltrop, A. J. S. White, J. Bosaut, A. Sta'ce, F. J. , Caterer, 0. E.yro, It. L. Button, M. Spiorling, and H. S. Hawker; sjnodsmen, Mcesrs. K. L. Button, (ji W. and W. J. Galdin; auditors/ Messrs. W. Haworth and G. W Morgan.

Votes of thanks were passed to the choir, Sunday school workers, DecoratliiK Guild, and to tho various other parish, organisations wliioh had worked to make the past .year successful. KILBIRNIE-MIRAMAR PARISH. ". ANiNUAL MEETING. ■ Tho annual tneetirig of the KilbirnieJhramar : Anglican Parish, was hold in tho , Churchroom, Kilbirnie, last evening. Tlio vicar, Rev. J. H. Sykes. presided. The report and balance-sheet were read nnd adopted. The balance-sheet showed that the finances of tho district were in a, satisfactory.' state. There was a credit balance of £37 odd. During the year, the report stated, the buildings had been renovated and repainted. was made to the loss N of the Rev. J. Eobinson, curate, who was appointed vicar at Haetihi. It had unfortunately teen impossible to secure the services ' of anyone in Mr. Eobinson's placo, and the pariah, was under a debt of gratitude to the lay readers who had, stepped in to lend assistance. ' . ■ ■ The following officers were elected: Churchwardens, Messrs. O. H. Seville and G. Flux; 'vestry, Messrs. Taplin, Bray, Jones; Ibbotson, Luff, Bewiell, Stoupe, and Williamson; auditor, Mr. Arcus; synod representative, Mr. Seville. . A resolution was oarried permitting women to vote at parish meetings. The question iof (building a new church was held over for the duration of the , war. / ST. THOMAS'S PARISH, • The annual report and balance-sheet of, wardens and vestry of St. Thomas's Parish,:.Wellington:South, states that the attendance at all services at ' St. Thomas's (Newtown) and St. Cuthbert's (Island Bay) have been well maintained; notwithstanding tho absence of bo many men at the ivo(\t. Tho general account commenced tho year with a debit of £29, and after providing for increases in stipends and the iutorost for vicarage ''debt due Juno 30 next, tho account closed with a credit of £19, the goneral offerings having increased by £40 and the sustontation fund by £59, the latter undoubtedly duo to the, epecial effort made by tho vestry and others in thoir personal oiinvaes when re-inaugurating the "envelopes,", which it is trustod the parishioners will continue to support. The vicaragjo debt has.been decreased by £225, principally through tho efforts, made by the sale of work, aided by special donations. The special offertories for missions show a conaiderablo increase over last year. St. Cuthberfc's Churehroom debt has also been decreased by £113 from similar sources. The organ pedals have been robushed and pneumatic action applied; H hydraulic blower has been ordered, but tho war. may prevent obtaining the necessary machinery for a few months. balance oE money required for the stauiod glass east window has been provided by a •parishioner. The window is expected from Home shortly. Regret is expressed at tho resignation of i!flr. Langridge, who materially as.sisteil in placing tho snstentation fund upon a good bnsis. Mr. E. Collie was unanimously elected to thoTacancy on tlio vestry., St. Agnes Guild Bazaar realised over £30, .which was divided botwenn St. Mary's Girls' Mission and thV Maori Mission. The total receipts for tho year wore £995 15s.