ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 953, 27 January 1876, Page 3

ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

The annua I-general meeting of the members of the Church of England took ptace in above Church on Friday-eveuing, 14th inst., at 8 30 j> m. There was a.fair attendance. The curate of the parisbjt.the Bey, J. Jones, presided. Ihe meeting was Opened with prayer. In the unavoidable absence of the Treasurer, the Chairman read the balance sheet and commented upou it. The offertories for the year amounted to £'l33 l»s 9d ; the seat rents to £BO Us ; the subscriptions to;fche.Su.s.tcntatioti Fund, £37 13s 6d. The total receipts fom all sources amounted to £463 17s BJ. But this includes a special fund the i.armoniuin (*7O 15s 6d), whieu ought' more . properly to have been teckoned in the receipts of tlie previous year, but as the business"" waT riot then coutliid d it was allowed to stand over for the present report, which also includes other sprcial funds actually raised during the present year for the purchase of communion plate and for other purposes, amounting to £35 19s 9d. By comparing liabilities.wilii assets there was a deficit of £l2O 19s 9d. This was, however, thought by no means discouraging, for the deficit at the end of the previous year was" £l3O, so that notwithstanding extra expenses for alterations and special purposes and in spite of the general depression the debt has been lightened to a small extent during the past year. The Chairman then remarked upon the necessity for increased exertion on the part of the future Vestry to clear away the burden of d*bt aud alluded to the difficulty experienced by collectors, in the hope that the parishioners would consider this and do what they could to lighten the work. It was a disagreeable business at any time to ask for money. Those who really desired to assist the work of the Church should not render this necessary, but should themselves send their subscriptions or seat rents to the churchwardens when dye. If this cannot be done, at least let them remember that the person who asks for money is usually one who bus given up valuable time to a disagreeable but necessary duty from which personally he reaps no pecuniary advantage. The Chairman also pointed out that the visit of the oolleetor might often be of use beyond that of the mere collection of money. It served as an opportunity to discuss or explain things which there might be • delicacy in discussing with the clergyman—it |f reminded the people of the Church and their °* ,duty towards it, and it might be a material assistance in the pastoral working of the parish. The balance sheet was then accepted and passed as satisfactory by the meeting. The usual formal votes of thanks were then passed, viz., to the retiring Vestry, and to the retiring Treasurer and Secretary, Mr J. S. Wortiiington and Mr A. Clark. On the motion of Messrs Ho'op and M'Ardell \% was resolved—" That the hearty thanks of the meeting are due to the two ladies who nnderfouk, and .successfully carried out, the raising of' the fund for the purchase of the Communion plate." The meeting then proceeded to the election of 4he new Vestry. Mr T. G. Betts was elected parishouers' .churchwarden*. The Chairman nominated Mr John Turner as clergyman's churchwarden. It was then resolved that the number of vestrymen should be seven, and the fallowing gentlemen were tlected:— Messrs M'Ardell, Warren, Evans, Hotop, Bodkin, "Worthington and Clark. Mr Price was also nominated but asked permission to withdraw his name, which was granted. The meeting was then closed with the benediction.