ST. PETER'S.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 18, 21 July 1897, Page 2

ST. PETER'S.

1 The Churchwardens and Vestry of St. Peter's state in their report that the year has been one of exceptional interest. The Rev. A, M. Johnson has found abundant scope for his duties as assistant curate since his appointment, and the work iv the suburb of Brooklyn, where a hall has been rented for 12 months for regular evening service, has been encouraging. It was thought advisable to purchase sections for a church site, at a cost of- £155, of /which £100 remains on lnorti gage. The Brooklyn congregation is anxious to have a churchroom tmilt upon j the site as early as possible, but the Vestry does not see its way to go further into debt at present. Contributions to the Brooklyn fund will, however, be received by Messrs. W. C. Fitzgerald and T. Ballinger, Joint Treasurers,- or the Churchwardens. On the permanent appointment of an assistant curate, and the addition of £200 to the expense of stipend, it became necessaiy to reduce expenditure on interest, and a special appeal resulted^ in clearing off £580 of tho debt. ( The. outstanding debentures now amount to £700, held between the Yen. , Archdeacon »Stot:k and Mr. Geo. Allen, who have generously reduced the rate of interest to 5 in place of 7 per cent. Altogether £55 per annum had been saved on interest account during the year, and the Vestry wish to thank all who have assisted in the matter. The Synod having resolved that the provisions of the General Church Fund Act shall come into operation as regards St. Peter's in July, 1900, or at such earlier date as the parish is able to extinguish or otherwise provide for its debt to the debenture-holders, the Vestry is of opinion that in the interest of both the parish and the diocese it- will be "desirable to clear the parish of. debt before the date mentioned. The total reoeipts for the past year amount to £2032. General offertories have averaged £13 lGs lid, as against £14 17s Id last year; seat rents, £424 Ss 4d, as against £422; and a credit balance of £50 5s lOd is carried forward,>but this.is more than absorbed by a liability for reconstruction of .the iron rail fence on Willis-streefc frontage. The sum of £191 has been contributed to the General Church Fund, and various organisations outside the parish and the Missionary Guild raised £89, which ha* been handed over to the Maori and Melanesian Missions. The report refers to the excellent work performed by the Ladies' Working 'Guild, whioh raised £102 17s, and thanks are given to Mr. John Ross (President) and other members. The Vestry has promised £30 for one year towards the support of a clergyman to minister specially to the Hospital and other public institutions. In conclusion, the Vestry express thankfulness for the work of the past year, but remark that there is evidently much to be done in the future and need for constant effort if the parish is to continue its progressive state.