ANNUAL CHURCH MEETI

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7552, 3 February 1886, Page 3

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETI

ST. PETER'S, SURREY HILLS. The first annual meeting of the member* and adherents of St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills, was held in the church last night. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. R. Sommerville presided. Mr. D. Garriok, Treasurer, explained the finances of the church for the period of five and a-half months that it had been established. The building fund showed that the church had been erected at a total oost of £448, and the land had been purchased for £299, while the receipts had been £357 for the ohurch and £60 for the eite, leav« ing a debit balance of £239 on the land, and ft small debt on. the ohurch. Mr. Garrick ex* plained the terms upon whioh the four allotments had been purchased, viz,, by paying one-fifth cash, the balance remaining on ■ mortgage tor five years. There were between 60 and 70 seatholders. Recently the church had been fenced in by funds raised by a concert and subscription amounting to £40. Mr. J. Buchanan moved, and Mr. A. Donald aeoonded, the adoption of the statement of accounts by the Treasurer. The Chairman, before putting the motion, said that there was no sessional report, as a Court of Elders had not yet been appointed. During the time the church had been in existence it had progressed most favourably. A Sundayschool had also been established, and it was in a flourishing condition, with a staff of 12 teachers and as many classes. It was proposed to add to the attractiveness of the building, without increasing the debt, by erecting a belfry, which had been promised by a churoh member with the assistance of others. The adoption of the statement of accounts was put and carried unanimously. The committee of management, with the addition of Meeeirs. J. Geddie, Malcolmson, and Turnbull, were reelected as follows :—Messrs. J. Buchanan D. Garrick, A. Mortpn, A. Geddes, A. Donald J. Maokay, A. Minnie, L. Magill, and Finch. Mesers. D. Garrick and A. Minnie were re-elected Treasurer and Secretary respectively. A Psalmody Committee was appointed to assist the organist in arranging the musical part of the service. A cordial vote of thanks was paeied to Mr. J. Bennett for his services as organist. It was agreed to call a meeting of the congregation at an early date to nominate gentlemen to form a Court of Elders, or Kirk Session. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Newton Borough Council to the necessity of forming the footpaths and fixing a gas lamp near the church. The meeting closed with the pronouncing of the benediction by the Chairman, ST. DAVID'S CHURCH. The annual meeting of the members and adherents of St. David's Church, Upper Symonds-street, was held last evening. The Rev. R. F. Macnicol presided. There was a large attendance. The committee of management in their annual report referred in feeling terms to the death of the Rev, T. MoKenzie Fraser. The committee announoed that during the year £100 had been collected towards the reduction of the ohurch debt, which now stands at £700. The Sabbath-sohool continues to flourish under its energetic superintendent and faithful secretary. The assistance and work of the Sunday-school teachers wan acknowledged, and the services of the choir (Mr. Patterson, leader) were also acknowledged. The balance-sheet showed that the Sabbath collections had amounted to £359 9s Id ; seat rents, £107 17s : total roceipti, £490 10s 7d ; expenditure, £487 3i 8d: leaving a balance in hand of £3 6s 9d. Mr. Badger warmly advocated the support of the city min« sion, whioh, he said, was doing good wort:, Mr. Paterson moved, " That this meeting dosires to place on record its full appreciation of the importance of the work of the city minsionary, and pledges itself to do its utmost; to support that mission." This resolution ws,» carried. Mr. Carnahan moved, and Mir. Robertson seconded, "That the Rev. J. P. Diokson receive a call to St. David '»." This resolution wai agreed to unanimously. The following gentlemen were elected managing committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs. Porter, McKenzie, Campbell, Knight, arid McGregor. Messrs. Lankham and Harkness were appointed auditors. Votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing oftioei-e, to the organist, the choir, and the Chairman,