ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 119, 20 April 1932, Page 4

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

PARISHIONERS’ ANNUAL MEETING. YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED. The annual meeting of the parishioners of All Saints’ Church was held last.evening, the vicar, Canon G. Y. Woodward, presiding over a good attendance. Several apologies for absence were received, i The annual report of the churchwarden, Mr H. G. Bagnall (already published) was adopted on the motion of Mr Monrad, seconded by Mr L. M. Abraham. Mr J. Holmes Runnicles. expressed the appreciation of the parishioners of the splendid report and balance-sheet presented by the vestry. ... Reporting upon the year’s activities, the vicar stated that the clergy had endeavoured to visit all parishioners. During the year there had been 118 baptisms, 100 candidates confirmed, and 49 weddings., compared with 75 last year. The Melanesian Mission offertory had realised £sl 14s 3d, the golden offertory £315 2s 2d and for missions £225. “Curiously enough, In the statistics given,” he added, “the only appreciable falling off has been in the number of weddings solemnised in 1932: and that is only to be expected with so much unemployment and reduction in incomes. Yet in the face of greater hardship in 1932 the golden offertory and the contributions to missions. are considerably higher. This in itself speaks volumes for the loyalty of parishioners of the Church. “The ladies’ guild has worked stendily during the year. It has now set itself a great task, and that is to lead the campaign in collecting funds by various means for the new vicarage. I congratulate the guild on its initiative and enthusiasm, and wish it every success in its noble endeavour. It is always a pleasure to mention the vigorous organisation of .the Girls’ Club in the report; for it has the faculty of looking after itself, and manage;

its own affairs with amazing success. We might also call the district visitors the scouts of the parish, for month by month they deliver the magazines and report on matters needing the attention of the clergy. As a parish we thank them for all they do.”

Proceeding, the vicar commended the attractive work of the Men’s Club and its zealous secretary (Mr Dryden). Regarding the Boys’ Club, he was looking forward to the arrival of Rev. C. Hyde, who would bring with him all the newest methods of a London parish, together with some movement which would appeal to the mind and energy of youth. Since the departure of Rev. J. Neild the All Saints’ Boy Scouts troop had been under the charge of Mr Callis, who had done excellent work.

“Once again we feel constrained to thank most . heartily the faithful service of the choir of the parish. Without our excellent choir the services would be robbed of that which makes them so devotional and uplifting. We cannot thank the members enough for their regular attendance and selfsacrifice in giving their ttflents to the praise and glorv of God. The success of the choir depends almost entirely upon its leader, and we have in Mr J. Holmes Runnicles an organist and choirmaster who is worthy oT so great a parish. The proof of his success is the efficient choir we have, and is the hall-mark of his ability and leadership. I congratulate this parish in having such an organist and choirmaster. I would like to say how we appreciate the willing service of Mr L. Drake, who plays the organ on Thursday nights, and at the children’s services. We are very grateful to those ladies who, week by week, attend to the flowers on the altar. The whole of this good work is in the capable hands of Mrs L. A. Abraham. Mrs Tucker and those associated with her are owed a debt of gratitude for their attention to the altar linen.” The Boys’ Bible Class and Young Men’s Bible Class continue ed to meet under Rev. P. Wiltshire and Mr H. Dawick. The senior girls’ Bible class was under Miss

Brown and the junior girls’ under Miss Ashton. They were all excellent teachers. ' Since the departure of Rev. Mr Neild, Rev. P. Wiltshire has been superintendent of the Sunday school. Splendid work was done by Misses Harwood and Carrel in the intermediate and kindergarten departments, also the teachers associated with them.

“The West End Sunday School, under its superintendent, Miss Owtram, is to be congrtaulated on its continued success,” added the vicar, “and to her, and those who so willingly help her, we thank for the religious teaching in that end of the parish. Miss Owtram has now for many years worked faithfully. She is a splendid example of a true churchwoman, for her Church comes first in her life, Takaro Sunday school is in a very flourishing condition under Miss Mercer. The Ward Street Sunday school has increased in numbers, and the superintendent is consistently carrying on her good work with her staff of teachers. The country Sunday Schools—at .Linton, under Miss lux; at Kairanga, under Mrs Eglinton; and at Longburn, under Miss Campbell—are all engaged in the highest work of the Church —the teaching of the young. “The missionary guild never grows very big, but in its. quiet way has farreaching results. Under Miss Gaustad, one of the most loyal and best of secretaries, it meets once a month in intercession and study. Its task is to create missionary zeal in the parish, and to learn the various activities of the mission field. It has taken upon itself to find £205 per year, being the quota set by the Board of Missions for this parish. It has always found it, and for the year ending 30th June last reached its full quota of £205, and £2O towards the Diocese of Waiapu’s quota. With Miss Gaustad as secretary, and Miss Muriel Dawick as treasurer, I have two of the most mission-ary-hearted workers in the parish. I cannot help expressing my gratitude to them and thanking them for their most willing service.” Appreciation was expressed by Canon Woodward-of the voluntary services of the lay-readers. “At the end of last year the Rev. Mr Neild left us for further experience in England, and is now at work in the parish of St. Andrew’s, Uxbridge, near London,” he continued. “For so young a man his influence for good was most pronounced, and to many he has been a great help. His influence in our midst

was stronger than many of us knew'. This has been clearly shown to me by many who regret his departure. We wish him every happiness and success in the old land. Mr Wiltshire has been equal to the greater task placed upon him by a depleted staff, and is willingly shouldering added burdens placed upon him. Both in the country and in the town he has faced the extra work with cheerfulness and determination that the parish should not suffer on account of the shortage of clergy. T nm looking forward to the arrival of Rev. Mr Hyde, who will commence his duties here at the beginning of June. “The vestry have carried out their duties faithfully and have met from time to time to discuss the affairs of our large parish. It is here I would like once again to thank Mr John Ax for his untiring zeal and willing service for All Saints’.

I do not think it could be possible to find in the whole of New Zealand a more faithful worker in that piece of labour he does for,the Church.” Concluding, the vicar paid tributes to the work of Messrs O. Monrad (vicar’s warden), L. M. Abraham (acting vicar’s warden) and H. G. Bagnall (people’s warden). Rev. P. Wiltshire briefly outlined the year’s activities in the country districts, especially commending the progress made at Longburn. ELECTION OF VESTRY. The vestry for the ensuing year Was elected as follows:—Messrs O. H. Handley, F. Owtram, J. Ax, R. S. Robinson, N. Metcalfe, L. M. Abraham, J. L. Harwood, L. Drake, J. T. Bosworth and G. O. Langridge. Delegates to the Council of Christian Congregations were elected as follow:—Messrs R. S. Robinson, F. T. Vasey, W. Briden-Jones, J. Ax, and M. Metcalfe. Mr O. Monrad was appointed vicar’s warden and Mr H. G. Bagnall was unanimously elected as people’s warden. Mr A. T. Bendall was re-elected lion, auditor and accorded a hearty vote of appreciation for his services. Appreciation was voiced concerning the self-sacrificing work of the Sunday school teachers by Mr Abraham and on his motion they were accorded a vote of thanks. Mr Monrad thanked Mr Abraham for acting as vicar’s warden during his absence abroad and commended the keen and tactful work of the vicar, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his loyal service. Mr Monrad paid a tribute to the choir and the choirmaster (Mr Runnicles). Ho stated that the latter had outstanding ability. They were accorded a very hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr Monrad.

The parishioners adopted a recommendation from the All Saints’ Men’s Club to the effect that one or two conferences of all church organisations be held dui'ing the year to discuss finance and general matters.