PAPAKURA PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1782, 6 April 1863, Page 10

PAPAKURA PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE.

The seventh annual meeting of the Papakura Presbyterian Church, was held on Tuesday evening Last, in the church building, Papakura. The attendance was good. Tea having been served, thanks wore returned by the Rev. John Macky, Otahnhu. The Eev. T. Norrie, pastor loci, explained the programme, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Revs. Messrs. Bruce, Thorn, Mason, and Mnndcno. * Air, W. Hay then read the annual report of the general committee of management as follows :—: — "Seventh annual report of the general committee of management of the United Congregation of Papakura, Drury, Wairoa, Waiuku, and Pukekohe, for the year 1862. "The committee have to submit the following statement of the affairs of the united congregation, and they desire to do so in the following oider : — "1. The committee have to exhibit the total amount of the stipend fund, as received from all sources during the past year. "Papakuia. — Subscriptions or seat rents, £40; church door collections, £10 Is. 2d. ; total, £50 o*. 04d. "Drury.— Subscriptions or seat rents, £24 175. Gd. ; church-door collections, £23 15s, 3d, ; total, £48 12s. 9d. " Wairoa. — Subscriptions or seat rents, £52 17«. lid. ; church-door collections, £10 lls. 2d. ; total, £63 9s. Id. "Waiku. — Subscriptions or soat rents, £16 12s. 6d. ; church-door collections, £10 lls. 2d. ; total, £63 9s. Id. "Pukekohe. — Subscriptions or seat rents, £13 15s. ; church-door collections, £6 7s. Bd. ; total, £20 2s. Bd. " Making a total as under : — "Subscriptions or seat rents, £148 2s. Id. ; churchdoor collections, £51 17s, Id. ; total amount raised, £200. " 2. The committee desire to exhibit the following statement, showing the amount received for all objects in connexion with the different churches and stations, with the exception of the ■amount raised in the day schools, or for general education :—: — "Stipend Fund.— Papakura, £50 Is. 2d. ; Drury, £48 12s 9d. ; Wairoa, £63 9s. Id. ; Waiuku, £17 14s. 4d. ; Mauku, nil; Pukekohe, £20 25. Bd. j total, £200. "Church Building.— Papakura, £130; Drury, £22 13s. lid ; Wairoa, £6 ; Waiuku, £70 ; Mauku, £40 ; Pukekohe, £101 ; total, £369 13s. lid. "Dunedin Conference.— Papakura, 10s.; Drury, 18s. lOd. ; Wairoa, 145. ; Waiuku, Bs. lOd. ; Mauku, nil; Pnkekoho, 55. ; total, £2 16s. Bd. "Foreicin Mission. —Papaknra, £1; Drury, £1 lls. 6d. ; Wairoa, £1 Is, ; Waiuku, 17s. 9d.; Mauku, nil; Pukekohe, 55. ; total, £5 2s. 3d. "Home Mission.— Papakura, £1 ; Drury, 13s. j Waipoa, £1 45. ; Waiuku, 95. ; Mauku, nil; Pukekohe, 7s. 9d. j total, £9 13s. 9d f "Local Expenses.— Papakura, ss, ,Gd. ; Drury, 55. ; Wairoa, 55., j Waiuku, nil; Mauku, nil; Pukekoho, 145. ; total, £1 9s. 6d. "Library.— Papakura, nil; Drury, nil; Wairoa, 12s. 5d. ; Waiuku, litt : Mauku, nil ; Pnkekoho, nil ; total, 12s. fid.' 1 '•This gives tho totals as iiuder t— ' "Pimakuw, £182 165. Bd. j' Drury, £74 14 a. lid, }

'Wairoa, £78 18s. Id. ; Waiuku, .£B9 19s. lid. ; Mauku, £40; Pukekolie, £128*51. ;" making a grand total of £589 Is. "3. Jlho committee have to submit the following statement, which will show tho Bums raised from all sources for the stipond fnnd, during the past seven years : — •'Homo Mission Fund, 1856 to 1861, £308 175. 9d. ; Papakura, same period, £221 135. ; 1862, £50 Is. 2d. ; total, £271 14s. 2d. ; Drury, 1856 to 1861, £208 13s. id. ; 1862, £43 12s. 9d. ; total, £257 ss. ()d. ; Wairoa, 1856 to 1861, £198 15s. 9d. ; 1862, £63 9s. Id. ; total, £262 4s. lOd. ; Waiuku, 1856 to 1861, £110 9s. ; 1862, £17 14s. 4d. ; total, £128 3s. 4d. ; Pukekohe, 1856 to 1861, £6 12s. 6d. ; 1862, £20 28. Bd. ; total, £26 15s. 2d. ; giving a total of £1,255 Is. 10d. "4. The committee also present the following abstract of the total amount of revenue received for the following purposes, during the past seven years, or since the formation of the congregation, viz. : —

"5. In conclusion, the committee have to lay before the congregation the following view of the liabilities, or debt still pressing on the undermentioned buildings : —

Mr. Hay then alluded to an old debt due to Mr. Nome, and made an earnest appeal to the congregation to wipe out this debt of honowas a testimony of their appreciation of the assiduous efforts of their pastor. Rev. Thomas Normk said he felt thankful to God, the author of all good, and to those of the congre' gation who had ossisted him, to get the churcl: raised to the honourable position of being a self-sus-taining congregation. His brother, Mr. Maclty, last year pressed them to resolve upon achieving this, and now his wish was accomplished. The coiv gregation might still have received assistance from the central fund, but they had decided not to take advantage of their privileges, and had declined all extraneous aid. Considering their small numbers and their scattered position, the progiess they had made was wonderful. Much had been done, but fern and ti-tree still grew around them. When these encumbrancers of the ground were removed, and n larger population settled in the district, they wonld be better able to concentrate their resources. At present they were in a most difficult position, because the districts, owing to the progress oi settlement were becoming larger, and desirous ol having a minister to themselves, and he felt that the time was near for concentrating their efforts and getting additional labourers in the disfuct. At present they were not merely a self-sustaining congregation, but they were nursing outside stations. He believed that the duty of the minister was not ouly to preach the Gospel, but to teach the people to support the Gospel. (Hear.) Ho had endeavoured to do so. The Drnry church had been erected under doubts and difficulties, and now that it is built, the complaint is that it is not so large as it might have been. But still the church is there, and entnely free of debt. (Hear.) The Papakura chnrch was likewise free of debt, and now belonged to God. Wairoa district lias also a church and school free of debt. Papakuia Valley has a school building erected, with an excellent and devoted teacher, and the proceeds of the soirde were to go to wipe off the debt on that school. Thus they saw, that all things connected with the United Congregation are in a satisfactory position. They were not to stop there, however. They had subscriptions going on attheWaiukuandMauku ; and they soon expected to have aminister settled at the Waiuku. It was also in contemplation to erect other schools ; and notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of getting all the settlers to unite on the site for a school, they weie all alive to tho benefits of education, and readily assisted in setting sohools a-going. This was a thing in which The church ought to take a deep interest, in order to have an educated people, to whom the Gospel might be preached with acceptance. The church wished no other advantage in oducation thau to have an educated people to preach to, and the time was lapidly passing away when any man's crotchet would stop the onward course of insti notion. He then said he legretted the departure of the Rev. Mr. Calvert, whose co-operation would have been useful in so wide a field as existed in their neighbourhood, and concluded by calling upon members of the church to address the meeting. Mr. Hbidebsos, of Wairoa, adverted to the ease with which they had wiped off the debts that pressed upon the congregation, and remarked that the ohuroh psalmody had been greatly improved. He thought the debt owing to their minister ought to be paid in full in tho ensuing year. This might easily be accomplished by every member taking a ticket, and engaging to collect £10. There was no use in talking about it ; let them do it, not by instalments, but at once. The Eev. John Wacky congratulated the congregation upon the result of last year's efforts, by which they had attained to tho honourable position of beiug self-sustaiuiiisf. A good deal of this was owing to the good health of their minister, Mr. Norrie, which had enabled him to work so hard as he had done. Haul work was all the medicine that had been administered to him, so far as he knew; and certainly activity was conducive to good health. Mr, Macky then adverted to the necessity for furnishing minute information regarding all schemes of the church in general, and by each station in particular, that it might be seen what each station was doing. A healthy emulation would bo thereby induced. Rogauling Mr. Hendersons proposal that the debt owing to Mr. Norrie should be wiped off, he hoped it would be heartily responded to. The comfort of the minister depended on this, and it was th duty of the congregation to study tho comfort of the minister and his family. They had their bazaars in the town, and why not have their fair in the bush, to raise money for their school and chnrch operations. The advantage of this would be that more would be interested in the work, and a feeling of pleasuie would be created in the minds of all who took part in ifc. Mr. Macky next adverted to tho absence of the Eev. D. Bruce and Mr. Forsaith, and coming back to the affairs of the united congregation, said they deserved credit for their success had been very great. But they should take caro lost they became oold in the work. Too much should not bo left to the minister ; he must have fellow workers to assist and cheer him on. They ought especially to look to God for assistance, and establish prayer meetings in every district, and so draw out the attainments of tho people in prayer. The more the Gospel was embraced the more success wonld attend their efforts. Mutual improvement classes ought also to be established, and the result of their operations reported thereon at each annual meeting. These societies had been of great benefit at home, and should produce like good results here. The mind required continuous efforts to keep it in a healthy condition ; and like a garden, if left uncultivated, would run to weeds. He thought that the effect of such classes would be fco make tho members more useful members of society at large, and of tho church of Chiist. Sabbath schools also should be reported upon. The first difficulties of a new colony in these matters should more and more engage their attention. The improvement of church psaimody should likewise bo attended to. Mr. Macky concluded amidst applause by invoking the blessing of God upon the labours of the church, and again impressing upon the meeting the necessity for wiping off the debt clue on the manse, The, Rev. T. Norbie made a few 'remarks in referenoo to mutual improvement societies and Sabbath schools, and introduced the next speaker, Mr. Rowe, as representative of tho Wesleyan body, which had always joined with their church in their efforts to supply the members of each denomination with the means of grace. Mr. Rowe said he had joined the Wesleyan church when only nine years of age, and had since.continued a member. He Avas glad to find the good feeling, and Christian spirit existing among the members of the united congregation, and was grateful for the reception he had met. A kind word always did good. He had seen Mr. Norrie's self-denying efforts,, and thoy wore beyond all praise, and he hoped ho would be still more successful. Ho never recollected a case of a minister being left without his stipend, and he would recommend that all debts be paid off. A minister should be placed above want, and in a position where he would not be liable to be pinched ; and he hoped the annual stipend would be raised to £250. A country minister should be paid as tnuoh, if, -aok more than a , town minister, as he did muoh more clisagreeable work. After all, however, it was the influence of the spirit on the heart that was to bo sought unto, and all other things necessary would be added. Mr. Rowe then referred to the revival 3f religion in Scotland, reports of which ha 4 reaotacy' them. In tho early clays' of, a oolony

they were liablo_to forget. Jko-iieafc-things,.,.. but if they would bo" fliiecattful Colonists they nhonld not fnrgeb the blessings"*of -religion and education. Whisu travelling al6ng the road ha WW glad to sec the number of schools in connexion with the church, for he felt sure the right kind o education would be implanted in the minds of the children. The future of Now Zealand depended very much on thii. He had always seen good resulting from schools, and had great pleasure in cooperating with members of other denominations in promoting the moral, intellectual, and spiritual improvement of .the young. Mr. Howe concluded byfpredicating that a railway woidd soon be in operation between Auckland and Drury, and PapaWa, would then be a suburb of Auckland. There was good in store for their district. (A pplause.) Mr., Gkorge Gabdner, of P»[)akura Valley, thanked the meeting for the support that h«d been given to the school in that district. Mr. McDonald, Pukekohe spoke of the prospects of the church in that district. The report was not favourable, as the station was not in existence during the whole of the period embraced in the report. At first there were only seven settlers, and their subscription to the stipeud fund was £6. This year it would be £20. Formerly they had only monthly services ; now they had service once a fortnight, but they would not rest until they had a full sabbath service. (Hear.) Mr. Thos. Maofarlane addressed the meeting on the subject of Christian liberality, and the duty of the people supporting the gospel ministrations. Mr. Ltjmsdbn, Papakura, moved a vote of thanks to the ladies and the chair, which was carried by acclamation, and replied to by Mr. Scott in felicitous terms. The doxology was then sung, and the meeting dismissed with the apostolic benediction. — "Daily Southern Cross," March 12.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING. The Annual General Meeting of the members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce took place, in the rooms, Forfc-atreet, yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'clock. There were present : J. A. Gilfillan, Esq., chairman, and Messrs. Firth, Cadman, Harris, Webster, and Nathan.

LETTERS. The Secretary read two letters one from Mr. Waterston, declining to act on the committee, to which he had been nominated ; and the other accompanying a volume of statistics from the Colonial Secretary's office, for the year 1861. The Secretary was ordered to acknowledge the receipt of the volume.

RE-ELECTION OP CHAIRMAN. The Chairman said he must take that opportunity to thank the members of the chamber for having le-elected him, in his absence, as chairman of the Chamber for the ensuing 12 months.

REPORT. Tho Chairman read, and laid on tho table, the annual report of the chamber. "Annual Report of the Committee of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce for the year endiug 81st December, 1862. b "In accoulance with the constitution of this chamber, your committee, before retiring from office, have to present a report of its proceedings for the past year.

RULES AND CONSTITtTION. "The alterations in the rules relating to fees charged on the admission of members, with the view of enlarging their number and thereby adding to the usefulness of the chamber, were-attended with such success that thirty-five new members have been added to the list. It is, however, to be regretted that the attendauce of members at the monthly meeting is not more general.

TARIFF. "In Mfuch last a communication was received from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, recommending various alterations in the tariff and the mode of its collection, which received due attention and deliberation from a select committee of the chamber, and a deputation waited on the Government on the subject. They were informed, however, that the Government did not intend to make any change in the act during the session then coming on, and further action in the matter must, therefore, be postponed till next session.

SITE FOB POST OFFICE. "The chamber, in reply to a letter from the Chairman of the Committee of the Provincial Council on New Post-office and Custom-house, recommended two sites as eligible, viz., the site of the Supreme Court House, or the junction of Queen and Grey streets. Your committee hope that some alteration may be made ere long as the present Post-office is inconveniently situated, and becoming too small besides for the increasing wants of the community.

DEBTOR AND CREDITOR ACT. "This important act, as first drafted by Ministers, received the careful consideration of tho chamber, and at a meeting held 9th July various modifications and additions were recommended ami forwarded to the honorable the Attorney-General and members oE the General Assembly then in session at Wellington. The act as now passed, it is hoped, will prove a protection to the creditor, as well as to the honest but unfortunate debtor. In compliance with tho request of the Government, the chamber recommended the following gentlemen as mercantile assessors under this act, viz. : Walter Graham, Esq., Richard Ridiugs, Esq., David Graham, Esq., and J. Gilfillan, Esq., aud were informed by the Colonial Secretary that they would be duly appointed on. its coming into operation.

PANAMA POSTAL ROUTE. "Since the passing of the A ppropriation Act for this service during the late session of the General Assembly, the subject has occupied the careful attention of the chamber. The report of the deputation appointed tr> wait on the Hon. Crosbie Ward, the Postmaster-General, prior to his departure for England, has alieady been laid before the chamber, as also the report of the committee appointed to collect information regarding the capabilities afforded by the pott of Auckland for steamers employed in that service. Copies of these are ai>pended to this report.

MAILS. " The irregularity which for some months took place in the transmission of the English mails vid Otawo and Melbourne, was brought \uider the notice of the Government, and better arrangements have been made in this respect, which your committee hope will bo maintained.

'FVSVS. " A statement o£ the funds of the chamber duly audited is appended, showing a balance of £49 3s. 3d. in band, deposited in the Union Bank of Australia.

STATISTICS, C( Statements, so far as obtainable, of the imports and exports are appended. Tho amount of free imports which form a large portion of our trade are not obtainable under present Customs' regulations." It was then moved by Mr. Cadman, and seconded by Mr. Webster, that the report be adopted and printed. —Carried unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting dissolved.—"Daily Southern Cross," March 27.

18GZ Debt on Papaknra Chmcli . . . . Debt on TJrnry Debt on Wairoa . . Dolit on Manse Balance clue on Minister's itipond £53 2 0 5 0 0 251 0 0 145 0 0 251 0 0 145 0 0 £464 2 0 306 0 0"

1. For the Stipend Kund :— Home Minion, . District!!, 2. For Building l'nml :— Church Building Clmrch Mante... 3. Missionary nnd other objects £808 17 0 040 4 1— £1,265 1 10 £1,118 10 0 189 0 0— £1,807 10 0 76 10 4 £2,(138 14 8