ST MARY'S CHURCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 April 1922, Page 5

ST MARY'S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF ±' Alii&iiUJiN £ttfc>.

The annual meeting of St. Mary's parisnioners was held last evening, wnen tiurtylme people were present, the vicar (Key. ft. tfrankhn) presiding. The report (already published) and bal-ance-sneet were tJaKeii as read, the vicar expressing his tnanks to church workers and his appreciation of the satisfactory report of the affairs of the parish. Tiie Church had been through a difficult year and had felt the effects to a slight extent. The number of communicants had increased, while the position at Normanby was greatly improved. | The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The report for St. Mary's Church i School for the year ended December 31 stated: We have pleasure in recording the continued success of the school so far as its educational value is concerned, a very satisfactory report having been received from the Government school inspector; but we much regret having to report a considerable reduction in the attendance of pupils, owing in a. large measure, to the depression through which the country is passing. The first term of 1921 opened with a reduction from 138 to 80, and the first term of 1922 opened with a further reduction to 58 pupils. This has seriously affected the nuances and necessitated a reduction of the teaching staff, but _it is hoped that with the assistance of the renewed grant of £90 from the Diocesan School Board the financial position will adjust itself during the coming year. The boarding-school in Nolantown was closed, as there were not sufficient pupils residing there to maintain it. Under the circumstances the vestry was good enough to remit the rent between-. March 31, 1921, and the date of closing, August 16, 1921^ and they afforded further assistance by relieving the school committee of the cleaning ex-1 penses of the day school. The board- ' ing-school shows a loss of £64, owing to the writing down of the furniture, which has been sold for £200, as against i the book value of £265 os 7d. The report was adopted. The report on " St. Mary's Young Men's Hostel from January l 0 1921, to March 31. 1922, stated: The hostel was opened early in January, 1921, and thougn the young men were at first slow in availing themselves of the accommodation ottered, the rooms were gradually taken and have been fully occupied. The hostel is apparently filling a long felt want in Hawera, and the yaung men express their appreciation of the efforts made by those responsible for its inauguration, and they add that the value of such an institu, tion, and the spirit of camaraderie and healthy good fellowship which such an institution stimulates by bringing young men together under pleasant surroundings, cannot be overestimated. The balance-sheet shows a profit of £122 4s 5d for the fifteen months. This is on the actual working of the hostel, the preliminary expenses in furnishing, alterations and additions, and legal expenses having been treated as capital expenditure in the meantime. The profit shown is to be applied as far_ as it will go in writing down the items , "legal expenses'' and "alterations and i additions," totalling £246 3s 9d, the j balance of the same items to be carried

to capital account. Though it is satisfactory to have the balance of profit and

loss account on the right side, the amount cannot be regarded as satisfactory, as it is insufficient to provide for repairs and maintenance and depreciation. What is required is more accommodation, sufficient for. say, another ten boarders. This would, we believe, ; increase the earning power of the hostel, and while providing for depreciation, •etc., would probably enable the committee to reduce the boarding fees as the reduction in the cost of living may N from time to time demand. The billiard table kindly lent by the Taranaki 'Rifles ■ has been handed over to the Returned Soldiers' Club. We have, therefore, been compelled to purchase ' another table at a cost of £118 10s. i The report was adopted. ' The Sunday school report, read by the superintendent (Mr. Gilbert) showed a credit balance of £13 7s 4d. There were 262 scholars on the roll, and the young men's Bible class had a roll numi ber of 25. It is hoped to establish a I similar class for young wonjen. During

the year a concert had been given, I realising . £21. The report referred to | the loss of the services of two valuable teachers during the year—Mrs. | Harrop and Mrs. Howlett. Apprecia- • tion was expressed to these ladies for their services. I The report was adopted. The following officers were appointed : Vicar's' warden, Mr. Corry; people's warden. Mr. Leighton; vestry, Messrs Button. D. Caplen, J. C. Smith. W. I '"■'jlbert. G. !?. "Buckeridge, N. Caplen, j Wyatt. Cate, Jones, and Page; auditors, j Messi's Ariidge and Berry (the latter • subject to his consent); school commitj tee. Messrs Sutton, Wyatt, Gilbert, D. J Caolen. Smith, and Corry; hostel committee. Messrs Corry. Smith, and Buckerklge.