ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8811, 26 February 1892, Page 2

ECCLESIASTICAL.

ANNUAL CIIUUCTI MEETINGS. Tin: annual meeting of tho Onehunga Presbyterian Church was held on tho 4th February, the Rev. G. B. Monro presiding. Tho treasurer's statement showed that £'25t had been contributed by the congregation fur all purposes, including tho building fund, during tho [last year. Tho congregational anil Sabbath School report, which was read by Mr. Burr, stated that satisfactory progress had been made. At, the annual meeting of the Avondale Presbyterian Church, hold on February S, the Key. C. Worboys presided. The treasurer's report showed a small debit balance, and tho report of tho church managers and Sunday-school superintendent were on the whole favourable. Tho following were elected on tho board of management -.—Messrs. Smith, Wilson, Morrison, Me.Murtree, Heron, Hell, Anderson, and Walker.

This annual meeting of tho parishioners of •St. Matthew's Church was hold in tliu schoolroom on Feb. J-. There were about 50 ladies and gentlemen present. The Rev. L. if, Otitram, the incumbent, presided. The report of the vestry expressed regret in having to record the death of the late incumbent of this parish, the Rev. W. Tobbs, M.A. The financial position of tho parish was steadily improving. 'J'ho dance-sheet showed tho receipts for tho year to be about £7HO, including a balance due to the bank of £!);S. Tho Stone Church Building Fund stood at nearly U,(K>C). The following officers were elected for the ensuing year Minister's churchwarden, Mr. Colson ; people's churchwarden, Dr. Hooper; vestrymen, Messrs. Doonin, Shillington, J. C. Morrin, Fisher, Langley' Littler, Pond, Holloway. Piqgott, and Rogerson ; auditors, Messrs. S. Hooker and A. K. Mills. Dr. Hooper stated that unfortunately there was a motion passed _at the last, annual meeting fixing the stipend of the clergyman at £201) a year. He would now propose " That that resolution bo rescinded, and that the salary foi the present year bo .OX)," This was seconded by Mr. iJevedge, and carried.

The annual business and social meeting in connection with St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby, was held on Feb. 17, tho pastor, the Rev. T. K. Robertson, presiding. There was a large attendance. The balancesheet presented showed the total receipts for the year to amount to £;{,).> 4s lid, and the expenditure to amount to i'.'WS J Us-id. leaving a balance in hand of £10 lis "2d. The assets stood at £37 14s lid, and tho liabilities at £37 11 a fid. In accordance with tho usual custom, Messrs. Johnston and Allen, two members of the committee of management, retired by rotation. They were, however, re-elected.

An interesting lecture on tho subject of "Missions" was delivered in the lecture hall of the Young Men's Christian Association on February 12 by Dr. Lamb, who has recently boon appointed to the Presbyterian New Hebrides' Mission.

Archdeacon Mules, Bishop elect of Nelson, was consecrated Bishop at St. Paul proCathedral, Wellington, on Wednesday morning, February 24, the Primate officiating. All the visiting bishops and clergy were present. The Bishop of Dunedin took part in the service. On Sunday afternoon, the Slab January, the foundation stone was laid of the new St. Mark's Convent, Nelson, to replace the one burnt down some two or three years ago. Archbishop Redwood performed the ceremony, assisted by several of the clergy of the district. The results of the annual examination for the Bishop's prizes ate to hand. On New Testament history 103 papers were sent in ; on Old Testament history, 9'2; and on the Catechism, 104. Of these 46 passed in the New Testament, 48 in the Old Testament, and '22 in the Catechism. Tho number of passes is, however, greatly reduced by the fact that several competitors did not attempt all three papers, for a pass can only be obtained by getting onethird of tho maximum marks in each subject. The weakest point with the majority of tho candidates was the Church Catechism. Tho maximum number of marks to bo obtained was 900. The following are the successful candidates : — Senior Grade— I. : Gertrude Gregory, All Saints', 621 ; Ada Gregory, Al! Saints', 613; l.ottio Merritt, All Saints', 609; Frank Long, Otahuhu, 002. Class II.: Fred Dawson, All Saints', 669; Kitty Mellvoeti, All Saints', 538; Lily Oswald, All Saints', 531 ; Winnie Cave, Devonport, 523. Class III.; Letitia Montgomery, St. Mark's, 386. Junior grade— I. : Winnie Bramwell, Devonport, 748; Cyril McKellar, Devonport, 637. Class 11. : Clara Bacon, All Saints', 516. Class 111. : Ella Searchlield, St. Matthias', Panmure, 435. Tho examiners were tho Revs. I. Richards, G. H. Preston, and W. E. Lush, and Mr. Tibbs. The anniversary of tho Pitt and Edwin street Primitive Methodist Sunday-school, was celebrated on February 23 by a tea and public meeting. AS about half-past) six nearly 200 guests sat down to a most enjoyable tea in the schoolroom, the tables being presided over by tho teachers, assisted by the senior scholars. After tea the meeting adjourned to the church, which was soon crowded to tho doors. Mr. S. C. Brown, tho Mayor of Newton, presided, and opened the proceedings with a few encouraging and happy remarks. Interesting addressing wore given by tho Revs. Guy andGrindley, Pastor Birch, and Mr. Turloy, and at intervals during the evening an excellent programme of sacred music was well rendered by a large choir, assisted by an efficient orchestra.

On the afternoon of February 19 a pleasant gathering of tho choir, Sunday-school teachers, and friends of the Devonporb Presbyterian Church took place at tho residence of Mr. J. C. Macky, Vauxhall, North Shore, the occasion being to bid good-bye to Miss Gelston, the secretary of the Church choir and organist of the Sun-day-school, previous to her departure for the old country on the'24th February. A choice musical programme was given by the choir, and during the interval in tho proceedings, Mr. Macky, the superintendent of the Sunday-school, in the name of the choir and teachers, presented Miss Gelston with a handsome dressing case, as a token of tho esteem and respect in which she is hold. The Res'. J. Hill was also present, and mado a few appropriate remarks.

The annual soiree of St. Luke s Presbyterian Church, Remuora, was held on Feb. 17. There was a large attendance, and an excellent repast of tea with all its necessaries was provided by Mr. George Kent, •>£ Newmarket. Tho tables were presided over by Mesdames Lennox, Northage, Jatrger, Monro, Missos Day, Abbott, Esam, Eado, Hayman, and others. Tea was served in the schoolroom and tho lawn, and after tea a public mooting was held in the church, at which the Rev. G. 13. Monro presided. Addresses were given by tho Rev. Dr. Elmslie, Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rev. J. Tread well, the Rev. J. J. Paterson, and the Rev. W Gillies, and an excellent musical programmo was rendered by the church choir, assisted by a number of others. On February 10 a reception tea and meeting was held in the Union Church to welcome home Pastor and Mrs. Birch. The arrangements were in the hands of the Ladies' .Samaritan Society, and they saw that nothing was lacking. Some 2UO friends sat down to tea. No charge was made. The schoolroom was beautifully decorated with Hags, etc.