ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14190, 26 April 1919, Page 5

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of parishioners of All Saints' Church was held in the schoolroom last night, the Vicar, Rev, H. G. Blackburnc, presiding. CHURCHWARDENS ; REPORT.

The Churchwardens stated that it was with very mixed feelings that they presented their report. Tiny had feelings of gratitude lor the cessation of hostilities, and feelings of great sorrow for the almost Tragic removal of their esteemed colleague, Mr E. H. Morrah, from the sphere of his labours. The Vicar had had more than his share of work, chiefly owing to the want of help and the extra strain imposed upon, him by the late epidemic, and the churchwardens wished to gratefully acknowledge the services of the Rev. J. McFarland in this direction. The car and the magazine were the chief reasons why there was a balance on the wrong side of the ledger. Starting the year "with a credit balance of £22 on the car account, and receiving some £ls in the way of special subscriptions, the account was closed with a debt of £2(5. A 25 per cent increase in printing cost of the magazine necessitated the raising of the price. The problem was how to keep going without straining the finances. These two items, totalling £56. and expense incurred in renewing the water supply at the Vicarage (£3O). accounted for the debt balance of £S4. Diminished reeeipts from the country district assessments of some £3O had increased the overdraft. The balance sheet showed an income of £ll3B W, and expenditure of £1223 3/8. Arrangements had been made with the Board to advance the sum necessary tor a new brick school building, and" the vestry owed a debt of gratitude to those gentlemen who had the guarantee.at the bank. Three stained-glass windows, as memorials to the late Gaptain Hewitt, Lieutenants Harding and Porter, were on order, and were expected to arrive soon. The closing of the windows would necessitate other means of ventilation, which were being undertaken under the supervision of Mr Clere, to whom the vestry accorded its warmest thanks. The late Mr Morrah had been insistent upon the soldiers' memorial tablet with the names of the fallen soldiers being erected at the earliest opportunity, and this was now being attended to by a small committee, who hoped to plaee the order very soon. SL Peter's were to be congratulated on thei* effort to pay off the new organ. The thanks of the vestry were due to lay readers, organist, choir. Ladies Guild, S.S. teachers, magazine distributors, district, visitors and others helping in church work, not forgetting those enthusiasts who tended tho church grounds on Saturday afternoons under the supervision of Mr Outram. VICAR'S REPORT. The Vicar, in his report, said that the past year had been memorable as a year of rejoicing and thanksgiving for our great victories over our enemies, and for the cessation of warfare and tho return home of many brave soldier boys; also it had been a year in which the hand of death had been very heavy, especially in the great influenza epidemic. With the increase of the spiritual work in the parish a new Sunday school had been a necessity. The cost would amount to about £IOOO. A Mother's Union and Lad's Club, both recently started, had filled a long-felt want, and the Girl's Club and C.E.M.S. had done much throughout tho year to extend the work of the church. Sister Hene had been indefatigable in her efforts, especially among the women, girls and children, end among the sick. Work in the country districts had been curtailed owing to the calls on the Vicar being so <rrcat. In conclusion, he expressed his gratitude to God for prospering the church's work so abundantly. CHURCH SEPARATION.

A motion was carried unanimously supporting St. Peter's Church in seeking the formation of a separate parish, Mr A. E. Kansford, on behalf of St. Peter's, explained that though they had always worked in harmony with All Saints', thev thought that the time had come ' when a separate parish should be formed. During the last five years St. Peter's had had no fewer 'than six ministers, and it was in the best interests of the church that they should now separate. Me'ssrs. Skerman and Barnieoat supported this view, citing profitable instances of separation. Both agreed with the idea of subsidising the St. Peter's Church minister, the first year s subsidy to be £75. and the next £SO, and the third £25. after which the Pubsidy would cease. The chairman said that the matter had been discussed two years ago, and Archdeacon Farcourt. on being consulted, had supported the idea. Although the men who had been at tot. Peters had all been splendid ministers, the stipend had been too small to hold a man. Now they would be obliged to build a house for the Vicar, and the stipend would be £SOO. Under the new schame All Saints' parish would stop at Alexandria Street, and the St. Peter's parish would embrace Aokautere. Mr W. Field, of Aokautere, also supported the separation. < On the St. Peter's motion being endorsed, the Vicar explained that the separation would not officially take effect, until it vcas approved of by the Standing Committee, though he did not anticipate opposition. OTHER BUSINESS. In response to an appeal from :he Bishop of the Diocese, it was decided to support a campaign to establish a memorial to the late Archdeacon Ftrcourt, and to place on record an appreciation of his great services to the district. A vote of thanks to Mrs Palmer and her workers, who looked after the choir boys' surplices, was carried by acclamation. Motions of appreciation of the services of the Vicar and the secretary were carried with hearty applause. OFFICERS ELECTED. Churchwardens: Messrs. E. dc J. Clere, J. Mitchell. C. Pickering, J. Ax, Fox, F. Symes, O. S. Tyerman, O. Mo; - rad, R. S. Robinson and F. H. Outram; hon. treasurer, Mr A. Skerman; hon. auditor, Mr T. B. Arlidge.