CHURCH MEETINGS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1909, Page 9

CHURCH MEETINGS.

ST. THOMAS'S PARISH. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Thomas's, Newtown, was held last, night, the Rev. J. Walker presiding. The churchwardens and vestry, in their annual report, stated that the services had not been so well attended as last year, but the number of communicants had been well maintained. The year finished with a small liability, but it must not be forgotten that the obligations of the parish were increased by synod. The expenditure had received every care and economy, but it was unfortunate that the general offertories showed a decrease of £56, and the subscriptions to the Sustentation Fund a reduction of £12 compared with last year. As to Island Bay, it was stated that good progress had been made at that end of the parish. No difficulty had been found in raising the additional £50 towards the assessment, besides which £150 had been paid off the mort gage on the churchroom, leaving only a debt of £50 on the building. As to Berhampore, the report stated that it was hoped by the aid of a special effort in May to reduce the debt of £650 on the churchroom. Under the heading of "Special Efforts for Next Year," the report mentioned : Extinguishing of the liability on organ enlargement, the enlargement of the church porches, and the renovation of the interior of the infant school. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman remarked that this was the seventh annual meeting over which he had presided. He regretted that in some respects matters were not so satisfactory as they were last- year, the receipts showing a decrease and the liabilities an increase. On the other band, the church debt had now been got rid of entirely, and those parishioners who so kindly guaranteed the overdraft were now released from their liability. The debt had not been felt by the parish as a whole, but had been gradually paid off by weekly subscriptions from a few individuals. The chairman also expressed regret at the departure of the organist, Mr. T. C. Webb, for Wangamu. Mr. Webb left with the very best feelings on both sides, (near, hear.) As to Berhampore, .he pointed out that the term of the mortgage of £650 on the property expired in August, and would have to be renewed, and he urged that beioro that date an effort should be made to reduce the liability. In conclusion, the vicar gave cordial thanks to his curate (Rev. W. Fancourt) and all who had assisted in the work of the parish during the past year. Particularly he thanked Mre. Lee, who had been connected with the work of the parish for twenty-eight 5 ears, and Miss Kemp, who had been pprticularly interested in certain branches of the church's work. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Bland, who expressed regret at the fall ing-off in the church offertories, although he had no doubt il was due to the depression of the last few months. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected ■ Churchwardens — Clergyman's, Dr. J. H. Kemp, parishioners' Mr. J. W. Salmon ; vestry, Messrs. Haylock, Neilson, Butler, Jeffs, King, M'Caul, Proctor ; auditors, Messrs. Chapman and Christie.