ST. PAUL’S CATHERDRAL.

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 9

ST. PAUL’S CATHERDRAL.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the congregation of the Cathedral was held in the schoolroom last night. The Ven. Archdeacon Gould, vicar, presided, and there was a good attendance. The proceedings opened with musical items given by Misses M‘Leod, Ford, Clarkson, and Messrs Heywood and W. Oaten.

The Chairman read his report. He stated that the balance-sheet would show that while there was a small decrease of £7 in the offertories for the year and of £26 in seat rents, this was more than_ made up by the donations and subscriptions, which showed an increase of £66. For a large part of this Miss Neede’s untired efforts were responsible, and the Ladies’ Guild had also donated £4O. The year ended with a credit balance of £43 8s 9cl, as against £4l 3s lOd last year. At the beginning of March the Sub-chapter had instituted the envelope system, and since then, and largely in consequence, the offertories had increased by over £1 a Sunday. About 70 had agreed to make use or the envelopes, and the Sub*chapter intended to wait on some of those who had not joined the system and ask them to do so. There had been 117 baptisms, 27 marriages, and 42 persons had been confirmed. The congregation had to thank the Ladies’ Guild for a donation of £IOO towards the debt, which now stood at £BOO, and £2O towards the choir maintenance fund. It was with great regret that he had to announce the resignation of Mr Erridge as verger, on account of his health, after 14 years’ service. His son, Mr P. Erridge, had been appointed to the position. The C.E.M.S. was in a flourishing condition. Several new members had joined, while three had severed their connection. He desired to inform the congregation that the thanksgiving jubilee services would be held on Whit-Sunday, May 31, when all those who had been connected with St. Paul’s during the past 51 years would be invited to be present. There would he a thankoffenng on the occasion, which would bo devoted to reducing the debt of £3OO. It was also proposed to hold a social gathering of old and present parishioners on Tuesday, June 2. He desired to thank the Sisters of the Church for the valuable assistance they had rendered in many directions; also the Sanctuary Guild, Sunday school teachers, members of the choir, collectors, and other church workers.

The various reports and balancesheets were then read and received. Mr T. D. B. Paterson read the Cathedral balance-sheet, and the Rev. A. C. H. Button read the Sunday school balance-sheet (which showed a credit balance of # £3 11s 4d); the Ladies’ Guild report and balance-sheet (a summary of which has already appeared in these columns) were read by the chairman; Mr H. Green read the report and balance-sheet of the Cathedral choir (which showed a credit balance of £l4 10s 4d). The election of the Sub-chapter was then proceeded with. The vicar appointed Mr W. Burnett as his sidesman and Mr S. Dunkley was appointed parishioners’ sidesman, and after a ballot the following were elected as members of the Sub-chapter:—Messrs Barrett, Green, Joyce, M'Laren, Milward, Moreton, Paterson, Simkins, West; and Wilson. While the scrutineers were counting the ballot papers tea was handed round by the Ladies’ Guild. The Chairman read a letter from Mr J. C. Gibbs, in which he offered to present to the Cathedral two handsomely mounted and framed pictures of the E resent and future cathedral, executed y himself, and asked that they might be hung in the schoolroom.—lt was resolved that a letter of thanks be forwarded to Mr Gibbs, and that the gift be gratefully received. A resolution was unanimously carried that the meeting pledge their support to the Bible in State Schools League, and request that a referendum of tho whole people of the Dominion be taken upon the question. A resolution was carried that a letter be sent to Mr Erridge expressing the sympathy of the congregation with him in his illness, and their appreciation of his long and valuable services.