CHURCH OF NATIVITY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 17 July 1888, Page 2

CHURCH OF NATIVITY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

t ■> the church, and they venture to hope that every parishioner will assist tno incom :, n" officer.-: to improve the finances or the church during - the coming year.” Mr J. ft. D rt objected to the phrase ‘‘continued falling off” being - used in the first sentence of the report. He thought just the opposite might bo said, and quoted statistics in suppQrt of his

The annual meeting of parishioners of tho Church of Nativity, Blenheim, to consider the annual report and balancesheet, and transact other importance business, was held in the schoolroom adjoining the Church last evening. Rsv. T. S. Grace presided, and there was an attendance of about twenty. After a passage of scripture had been I read, and devotional exercises had been engaged in by the Rev. T. S. Grace, The Chairman said ho would like to make a few remarks before tho roport and balance-sheet were taken into consideration. During the past year services had been held regularly, tho average attendance being very good. Holy Communion had been dispensed twico every month to a fair number, and it had also been dispensed on special occasions, such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas. Baptism had been administered once every month, and there had been a good average attendance at the children’s services, which wore held overy fifth week. Arrangements had been made for holding tho sen ices at Ren wick, which were formerly held once a fortnight, every Sunday, with tho result that thero was a marked improvement in the attendance. Duo attention had also been paid to the Awatero and Wairau Valley districts. The Sunday School was progressing fairly, but tho speaker would like to see a much larger attendance. Ho had made -570 visits during the year, exclusive of the regular visits he and tho assistant curate paid to the hospital, whore they bad administered the Holy r Communion to the patients four times during that period, l’he assistant curate had also made regular visits in the parish, and altogether the visits should amount to about 1000. The assistant curate had paid regular visits to all parts of the district Tua Marina, Wairau Valley and the Awatere. He had also carried on a Bible-class locally with fair success. The ladies of the congregation were deserving of a few words of praise. They held sewing bees regularly, tho proceeds of which went towards reducing tho debt on the now parsonage. His Lordship the Bishop had held confirmation services during tho past year. 77 baptisms, S marriages, and 19 burials had been performed. Tho thanks of tho congregation were due to tho choir, tho choirmaster and the organist, tho latter giving his services gratis. The speaker also thanked the office-bearers and other Church workers, and he was suro that as long as they all worked conscientiously and with combination, they would always have God’s blessing on them. Mr W. W. Do Castro read the anneal report as follows : “In submitting the accounts of tie Church of tho Nativity, the churchwardens regret having to show a continued falling-off in the offortories. During the year the offertories for all purposej have totalled L23C 15s Bd, being an averaago of Lf 12s lOd per Sunday, as against Ll 17s 2d—last year’s average. The pew rents aro still largely in arrear—so much so that the vestry has deemed it necessary to employ Mr Henry Simmons as paid collector. Tho suggestion mado in last year’s report that a “ stipend fund” be established has in part been carried into effect. Nine names are now on the list as subscribers to this fund, corresponding to a sum of LU 19s Gd. In connection with this effort a circular to the parishioners has been placed in the pews. The rpstry sincerely hope the appeal will be heartily responded to. The transept, with necessary alterations and fittings, has been completed at a total cost of L-5’24. The additions thus made to the church has increased the accommodation by r 5G sittings, exclusive of the choir stalls. Tho “ letable ” sittings now number 252, all of which are taken up, with the exception of 20. The organ—subscribed for§ in memory of the late Archdeacon Butt— has been erected in the western transejit, and forms an ornamental, as well as a useful, addition to the church furniture. Tho outlying districts of ILnvick, Wairau Valley and Awatere have received regular ministrations durieg the year. The offertories rind subscriptions collected from these districts towards the maintenance of the curate have fully realised expectations. The churchwardens tender their warmest (banks to the organist er.d choir, the Sunday school teachers and lady' workers, ail of whom have rendered valuable service t

statement. He held that it was not fair to let it go forth to the public that there was a “ continued falling off in the offertories.” Ho also pointed out the fact that no mention was made in the report of the “ district workers.” Rev. Mr Grace explained that they were included in the term “lady workers.” In connection with the first part of Mr Dart’s remark, the rev. gentleman said that a yearly balance had been struck—not a quarterly one—and it was found out there was a falling off. Still, the fact remained that the offertories for the last quarter of this year were larger than those for the corresponding period of last year. Mr Dart suggested that it should bo recorded in the report that the falling off was probably due to the system of collecting by means of envelopes being placed in the plate being discontinued. He moved that the word “ continued ” bo struck out of the report. Mr T. H. Hustwick seconded the motion pro forma, and in doing so remarked that he considered the balance-sheet a most inaccurato affair —one that was difficult to understand. Mr E. W. Paslcy strongly objected to tho last speaker’s remarks. A balancesheet could not always be made as plain as one would like to see it, but in the present instance he thought tho Chairman had made tho necessary explanations. Mr Grace said that the members would havo to faco thoir position. Thero was no doubt about it-there was a continual falling off in the offertories, and it was no use attempting to pare down the words, and thus bo tho means of misleading people. Ho maintained that there wus a continued falling off ; Mr Dart had unwittingly admitted it, and ho had oven gono as far as to sugggoet tho cause of

it. On being put, Mr Dart’s motion ro striking out tho word “ continued ” was lost.

Mr Dart then moved that a new sen-

tenco be added thus: “That it is tho opinion of the vestry that the continued falling off in the offertories is due in a great measure to the non use of tho envelopes.” He asked, Did they want it to go forth to the public that tho Blenheim Church was falling off in its contributions? (A voice : So it is). Mr J. B. Rayner held that tho fault was not in tho envelopes—it was in tho pockets of tho people. (Laughter). Tho motion was seconded by Mr It. L. Brewster, and carried. Mr J. P. Lucas said ho had anothor grievance to air. Ho pointed out that he had accepted the office of organist to ;the choir on condition that tho salary duo to the organist was handed over to the choir funds. In last year’s report the amount—L26-had appeared as a liability, and ho would like to know why it was not included as such in this year’s balance sheet. lie referred to tho mailer simply because he considered the choir had been vory badly treated in the way of funds. It was not supported as it Ought to bo, and when the members wanted new music, they had to purchase it themselves. He therefore submitted that the L 52 should be included in the balance sheet as an item duo to the choir. Another thing—in the balance sheet he could seo no mention of tho offertory of L 7 or L 8 from tho Cantata David, which Bum tho choir were justly entitled to. In connection with this last matter, Mr Grace explained that, as far as he could remember, the money was paid either to Mr Holmes or Mr Rogers, to the credit of tho organ account 110 admitted it had been rather carelessly dealt with, but lie thought that was tho solution of it. Mr Hustwick thought that all money in connection with the Church should go through tho Church Wardens’ hands. Mr Brewster remarked that if the money had come into his hands ho would have looked a little more after it. Still, the money belonged to the choir, and they might havo looked a little better after it. Mr Lucas failed to fee irhere the balance-sheet could bo correct when such a large item as L 52 was left out altogether. He did not think the choir should let such a large amount slip out of its hands, and moved, “ That the liability of Ls‘2 due to the choir be placed on the sheet. Mr Hustwick seconded the motion. Mr Dart pointed out that on the sheet there was mention of Ll'2 7s expended on the choir, and after discussion it was decided to deduct this amount from tho original liability. The motion, as amended, was carried. Mr Dc Castro took exception to the Church Wardens being blamed for all tho errors in the balance-sheet. He thought most of them had been satisfactorily explained. Mr Salmon said that they could he blamed in connection with tho offertory of LS, about which there seemed to be some mystery, lie held that all monies should go through the wardens’ hands, and thus they were responsible in the matter.

Mr Hustwick : That’s what I «ay. _ Tho Chairman agreed with tho previous Bpeakcrs’ remarks. “ They were the churchwardens, and they should know.” Mr White wanted to know what had becomo of tho Parsonage Loan A.ccount. Tho Chairman explained that tho account did not appear on tho balancesheet, but ho understood that it stood, in much the same position as last year, with the exception of the L4o duo to the Bishop. Mr Hodson wanted to know what tho real liability of the church was, and after a great deal of figuring it was ascertained that tho total debt amounted to L 333 ISs Gd.

It was then moved by Mr Hustwick, l seconded by Mr Salmon, and carried, that tho LIOO overdraft duo to tho Bank bo included amongst tho liabilities of the transept account. Mr Dart moved that tho balance-sheet, as umended, bo adopted, and that an amended copy bo sent to tho Diocesan secretary. In doing *o, Mr Dart thought ■^ + oo much blame had been attached to the Church wardens in connection with tho manner in which the balance-sheet had been compiled. Tney hud undoubtedly done tho best they could, and nny points that woro not very clear, they had satisfactorily explained. The balance-sheet, as amended was adopted. Some discussion then ensued on tho pros and cons of tho report. Mr Hodson took exception to several parts of it, especially tho part referring to tho organ being a memorial to the late Archdeacon Butt. J-io ridiculed tho idea of such a th :ig, as somo of tho money for the instrument had been collected six months before tho Archdeacon died. Tho Chairman explained tho matter, saying all those who had contributed prnyious to tho Archdeacon's death had been consulted, and had offered no objection whatever to tho organ being purchased as a momorial- As to Mr Hodson’s icmarks about tho instrument being a soon.d-be -a one, ho thought ihe Commi teeo were vise in getting the best value they could for J.-lr money. The mooting terminated an exccodinj.ly ate hour, with {lie pronunciation of tho benediction.