ALL SAINTS’ PARISH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 5

ALL SAINTS’ PARISH

ANNUAL MEETING SPLENDID YEAR OF STEADY GROWTH CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT

At the annual meeting of All Saints’ parishioners last evening the Vicar, Canon D. Haultain, presided. The annual report of the Churchwardens. presented by Mr F. I. Ledger ?nd Mr H. J. FJatt. for the year ending 31st March showed that the General Church Fund had a small debit balance of twenty-five shillings. “The general offerings. Festival Sunday and the Envelope System show an increase of £l7 for the 12 months as compared with the receipts for the previous year. During the year, by borrowing the sum of £SO from the Trusts Board for the purpose, the Vestry was able to purchase the plot of ground adjoining the Bible Class building. We have to repay this at the rate of £lO per annum with interest. In the name of the Vestry and of the whole Parish we desire to express_ our grateful thanks to (a) the Little by Little Society, for their very generous contribution of £IOO to General Church Funds, (b) The Mile Society, which in addition to helping the Vestry in the maintenance of Church buildings has in hand for the Treasurer of All Saints’ the sum of £llO towards the painting of the church buildings, (c) The Girls’ Friendly Society for their usual loyal help. The work of the Missionary Service League in raising the sum of £SB towards the Overseas Missions quota is also to be highly commended. "The Rev. Neil Chambers. ActingVicar for six months, was married to Miss McKilliam of Sydney in July, 1937. and the parishioners presented the happy pair with a canteen of cutlery at the farewell social. We wish Mr and Mrs Chambers a happy ministry in their work in the Sounds Parochial District "Canon Haultain returned from England at the end of July, and was cordially welcomed at a social held early in August, at which a presentation of a sum of money was made as a wedding present. "The appointment of Mr R. C. Nicholson, 8.A., as Stipendiary Lay Readei. followed shortly by his Ordination as a Deacon, was of considerable interest to the parish, and we appreciate His Lordship the Bishop’s action in providing a sum of *£l2o per annum toward his salary as Assistant Curate. "Church buildings improvements carried out in the last six months consisted of a-new garage, repapering the Vicarage. and starting a fund for the repair of the Church and Vicarage preparatory to the painting of same. “We sincerely regret the passing, away of Miss Iva Carter, a promising! young Bible Class leader and Guidcr.! Also Mrs Marion Wilson the wife of! Mr E. G. Wilson, formerly People’s! Churchwarden, and Mrs Von Sturmer, Mr W. R Ancell. and Miss Rena Flatt. j

the much-loved Bible Class leader. “A few men have carried out tremendous improvements to the Church grounds, and this labour of love on their part has the sincere appreciation of the Vestry and the parishioners. “The Junior Choir are doing fine work at morning services, and we understand the girls are to be habited in choir robes of a pretty blue texture, very shortly. “Toi Toi services are now regularly held every Sunday evening, with increasing attendances; the Rev. R. C. Nicholson being in charge. It is proposed also to recommence regular services at the Port Mission Hall. Whether these continue rests largely with the people round about for whose help they are being provided. The Vestry deeply appreciates the work of all Sunday School teachers. Bible class leaders and helpers in all youth work, and is fully alive to the great importance of all these efforts. NOT DISCOURAGING Mr Flatt in a few remarks concerning the balance sheet referred to the debit balance of £1 5s Od, as against a credit balance last year of £33 5s 2d, but when one considered the amount of work that had been done about the parish, this debit was not discouraging. Referring to foreign missions, it had recently been anticipated that difficulty would be experienced in reaching the quota, but the sum was now £147, within £3 of the quota, with three months to go to the end of the missionary year. Last Sunday’s collection, £25 12s 9d. had been a record for any Mission Sunday. The speaker urged a united effort to revive the painting fund, so that the

buildings could be done. The Churchwardens’ report was adopted. STEADY PROGRESS The Vicar said that the envelope system results, £175, were the highest for 10 years. The ordinary offerings were about an average. He pointed out that last year they had, owing to the absence of the Vicar, to find £BS less for stipend than in the previous year, and this went to show the great need of building up the ordinary means of revenue. It had been a splendid year of steady growth. The Vicar’s report was adopted. Other reports were adopted as follows:—Little by Little Society; Decorators’ Guild; Missionary Service League; Sunday School; Mite Society; Mothers’ Union: Bible Reading Fellowship: Girls’ Friendly Society; Girls’ Bible Class; Young Men’s Bible tlass; Choir’s reports: and Sanctuary Guild. Speakers commented in terms of praise,,on the good work being done by the various branches. Referr'ir/i to the Little by Little Society, the Vicar remarked that the solution of many of their problems lay along the lines of standing behind.,the Little by Little Society; and he earnestly asked all to support that Society and link up with it. If the parish really got in behind that society, there would be no need for jumble sales, etc. It was discouraging for the members to see their member- | ship going down. The Vicar paid a warm tribute to i Mrs Biddle who was resigning after 10 The Vicar also urged support of the envelope system, by which means the subject of giving was stabilised and

lifted up to its proper level. Especial praise was extended to the Sunday School teachers by Mr A. Me-. Conchie for their interest and self-sac-rificing work. OFFICERS ELECTED .The election of Church leaders resulted as follows: Vicar’s Warden, Mr H. J. Rowe. People’s Warden, Mr H. J. Flatt. Vestrymen, Messrs H. Burnett. K. Chappell. R. Thomas. G. Snoad. R. Kincaid, A. E. Coxhill, S. Wilson, R. Catley. A. S. Clark, C. Youngman. Auditor, Mr S. Wilson. The Vicar expressed his warm appreciation to Mr F. I. Ledger, who was retiring after his term of three years as vicar's warden. Mr Ledger naid a tribute to his successor in office. A motion of appreciation of the work of the outgoing Vestry was recorded: and a vote of thanks was passe I to the Vicar for his service during the year: and of congratulation on his restoration to health.