PARISH MEETING. ST. PETER'S.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 20, 23 July 1897, Page 2

PARISH MEETING. ST. PETER'S.

The annual business meeting of the parishioners of St. Peter's was held in the Infaat Schoolroom last evening, the Vicar, Eev. W. C. Waters, presiding. In his annual address, the Vicar thanked the parishioners for the assistance they had given him in enabling him to appoiat an assistant curate, who was doing excellent work. The year had not been so successful as usual in more than one respect, one thing being a lamentable falling-off in the attendance at the midday service on Sunday. This was generally attributable to the bicycle, but he could not see why bicyclists could not arrange their rides upon Sunday so as to be free to attend service. The same cause *yas said to operate ,fn regard to the evening services. It was-sad so see what was really a great blessing so abused and misused. Hfe besought the parishioners to, give according to their means to the offertories, which had suffered during the year. A gratifying fact waa that the number of communicants had exceeded that of any previous year. The choir had suffered during the year, and he could not recall having ever before seen so man}' vacant places in the men's benches. Mr. Trirnnell and the choir nevertheless deserved thanks for the excellence of the musical services. The choir had a credit balance of £17 Os 9d. ' The Vicar made eulogistic reference to the work of the Ladies' Working Party, and, while regretting the retirement of Mrs. John Ross after two years' service, expressed pleasure that Mrs. John. Blundell had again accepted the position. There had been a slight increase in the number of Sunday-school pupils, and he conveyed his thanks to the teachers for their labour of love in this, important work. He also acknowledged the kindness of Hr.'Jaok in acting as school organist in the absence of Mr.S. Shortt. The school library now numbered 350 volumes, a substantial increase having been made in response to his appeal. Mr. Waters referred to the establishment of Sunyiny evening services at Brooklyn, acknowledging the services rendered in connection therewith ; and he complimented the parish on the Substantial reduction made in the church debt, resulting in a saving of £55 a year •in interest. Some parishioners had refused to subscribe because they were opposed to the General Church Fund, and wereapxious, through the debt, to keep the parish outside that fund. This, he thought, was a mistake. For good or ill the Synod bad settled the question, and it only remained for them loyally to accept the position and strive to reduce the debt 'as quickly as possible in - order to set free the interest for the further extension of church work. The Missionary Guild started last ( year had collected £87, which, with two statutory offertories, brought the total from the parish for missionary work to £137. After commenting upon the 1 progress of other branches of the parish work, he expressed sincere regret at the contemplated retirement .of Mr. Edward Anderson from the position of Parishioners' Churchwarden. Mr. Anderson had done work for the parish during the last 17 years, the full extent v of which it was difficult for the outside public to gauge, and he ..would carry with him in his well-earned retirement tii'e r,espect and best wishes of all. In' conclusion, he hoped that God would bless the work in their hands. Jjieufc.-Col. Hume moved the adoption of the annual report (as published) and accounts. The balance-sheet was very satisfactory. Mr. Edward Anderson seconded the motion, which was carried. The Vicar appointed Lieut.-Col. Hume as his Churchwarden for the current year, and Mr. Edward Anderson consented to again accept the office of Parishioners' Churchwarden, at the pressing request of LieutCol. Hume, and, the evident desire of the meeting. H. Kember and F. 0. Crease were re-appointed auditors, and the following were elected a Vestry : — Hon. E. Richardson, Messrs. J. Blundell, D. M'Kellar, J. H. Uetbune, J. C. Martin, W. ¥. Shortt; T. Ballinger, Wilberfoss, Maudsley, W. C; FitzGerald. On the motion, of Mr, Anderson, the Vestry was authorised to settle the account in connection with the reconstruction of the iron rail fence, steps, &c, on the Willjsstreet frontage. The Vestry, he explained, had only power to cpend £100, and the cost would probably amount to a little above that sum. * The Chairman said this year was the 50th anniversary of the building of St. Peter's Church upon its present site, and it was

suggested to have a social gathering of the parishioners to celebrate that event — a real " social," not a money-making concern. The suggested date of the entertainment was December, but parishioners would hear more of the subject later on. , A vote of thanks to the Vicar for presiding, aud to the auditors, concluded the business of the meeting.