CHURCH MEETINGS

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 5

CHURCH MEETINGS

ST. JOHN’S. The annual meeting of parishioners of St. John’s Church, Roslyn, was held last night, the vicar (Rev. W. A. R. Fitchett) presiding. The Chairman said the most important work during the year was the reopening of St. Albans Church in the Kaikorai Valley. The parish was deeply indebted to Mr Child for the valuable work he was doing at that end of the parish. They were also greatly indebted to Miss ‘Siort and Mr Dawson. He wished to call attention to the class he was about to start for children of from 11 to 13 years of age to give them some knowledge of their Church. He proposed to take a class on Saturdays from a quarter past 9 to 10 o’clock. They would meet m the church, and after a short service he would instruct tfiem about their Church. Ha would try to make children reverently familiar with the Church. It seemed to him that a great deal of irreverence in churches was due to a little ignorance on the part of those who did not know what things in the church meant. He would keep the class together as a permanent institution, and after instructing the children for a year or two he would send them for confirmation. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was carried. The following officers were elected : Vicar’s churchwarden, Mr G. A. Lewin; parish churchwarden, Mr F. M. Allen; vestry —Messrs E. H. Allen, J. R. Cameron, A. Cook, J. W. Dance, W. J. Davie, E. J. Parr, A. Washer, J, Skottowe Webb, J. G. L. Wilson, and J. Simpson; auditors, Messrs W. Dawson and J. Butler. A resolution was carried pledging the support of the meeting to the objective of the Bible-in-State-Schools League, and asking that a referendum of the people of the Dominion be taken. A vote of thanks was accorded to all the church workers for their services last year. During the evening a number of vocal items were contributed, and the meeting closed with a social. ST. MARTIN’S. The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Martin’s, North-east Valley, was also held last evening, the vicar (Rev. W. H. Roberts) presiding. The report of the outgoing vestry’, which was adopted, showed that the past year had been one of steady progress. The whole of the bazaar receipts (£l4O 8s Id) had been allotted to the vicarage account, thus enabling that fund to reduce some of its liabilities to the Sunday school fund. The year’s income (irrespective of bazaar receipts) had not quite come up to last year’s figures, but had proved sufficient to meet present needs. The vestry expressed great appreciation of the efforts of the ladies and gentlemen who, under the supervision of Sir Keys, had so well maintained the collection of subscriptions during the year. A matter requiring urgent attention this vear was the painting of the church building. The vicarage alterations being now completed, it was time to consider the question of building a new Sunday school room, the present one being quite inadequate for the purpose. The report concluded with expressions of thanks to Miss Drake (organist), Mr H. Drake (choirmaster), and Miss Brunton (who has been ever ready to relieve Miss Drake at the organ) for their valuable services.

The balance-sheet, which was also adopted, showed a credit balance on the general account of £2l 11s Id, after meeV. mg all liabilities. The vicarage account showed an indebtedness to the Sunday school site account of £57 5s 10d, and the Sunday school site account showed assets, over Labilities—a credit balance of £528 11s 4d.

The election of churchwardens and vestry for the ensuing year resulted as follows :—Churchwardens, Messrs A. E. Tyrrell and B. H. Keys; vestry—Messrs W. Tyrrell, L. C. Jefcoate, H. Drake, H. G. Burnt, J. J. Johnston, F. Lenz, W. Bird,-A. Rule, E. G. Tyrrell, and F. B. Drake.

A motion supporting the Bible in schools and asking for » referendum on the subject wm carried practically unanimously. The following motion was carried : “That this meeting ore of opinion that the time has arrived when the erection of a Sunday school hall should be preceded with, and that the * atry bo authorised to raise the necessary ca, ital upon the security of the Gknroy sections, hold in trust as the property d ate parishioners of the parochial district. ‘ Votes of thanks to the retiring vestry, the Ladies’ Guild, the ehatrmaster, and the organist brought the proceed to a close, when refreshments, provided by the ladies of the guild, were-handed round and a musical progranoa was pocueoded svith.