CHURCH MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12555, 22 April 1904, Page 3

CHURCH MEETINGS.

CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY. The annual meeting of parishioners of the Church of the Epiphany was held last evening, ho Rev. W. E. ' Lush presided. The annual report and balance-sheet showed that the most important work initiated was the fancy fair, which was put upon an organised basis at a special meeting of parishioners. It was hoped that the venture would bring in not only enough to clear all arrears of interest, but to reduce the long-standing debt by a considerable sum. A comparison of •this with last year's balance-rheet showed an increase of £27 4s 8d in the general collections, a decrease of £10 Os ' Bd.'in the envelopes, and a decrease of £16 7s 3d in the sustentation fund, thus giving; an increase of 163 9d in the income. The contribution to the fancy fair fund were hot taken account of simply because they were at present incomplete. The total receipts for the year were £327 4s 4d, and the expenditure £319 6s Id, leaving a balance in hand of £7 18s 3d. The chairman hoped that the vestry would take up a little more departmental work in connection with the parish during the year, and lie also thought the parish should try to do its best to keep the choir up to aa "efficient strength. In the Sunday-school more room was required. The , Girls' Friendly Society had already collected £56 8s lid for the Sunday-school extension, which might engage the attention of the vestry. The congregations had improved in numbers excepting on Wednesdays. The debt on the church of £677 16s 3d he hoped would be reduced by £200 as a result of the forthcoming fancy fair. He had to acknowledge kindly help from other parishes for the fair. Messrs. Colson and Bronberger were appointed clergyman's and people's wardens respectively, and Messrs. W. C. Littler, S. Collard, E. Lightfoot, 11. Carter, C. Kingsford. B. Midgley, .1. C. Legg, T. Wilson, H. Olive and C. Tyke were elected vestrymen, and Messrs. Bruce and Gentles were appointed auditors.

' Mr. Collard moved, "Thai this meeting of parishioners of Epiphany parish views with regret the decision arrived at by the General Synod with regard-to the proposal to allow women to vote at parish meetings, and desires to place on record their opinion that the opposition to the movement is directly opposed to the general feeling of the members of the Anglican Church." He most strongly advocated the female iranchise. There had not been a single argument adduced, he said, against granting women the franchise which, in his opinion, would hold water, and he regretted that Bishop Neligan, whom he/thought was inconsistent in his arguments, was opposed to giving women a voice in parish affairs equal to that granted to the male laity. Several parishioners supported the resolution. The chairman acknowledged the great help rendered by women to the Church. He thought, although he might bo wrong, that perhaps too much value was placed upon the privilege that it was sought to obtain for women.

The resolution was carried nem. eon. This concluded the business.

PAPAKURA.

The annual meeting of parishioners of the Anglican church was held here on Wednesday evening, at which the attendance was better than usual. The Rev. O. E. Hewlett occupied the chair. The report and balance-sheet, road by the secretary, showed the church to be in a' prosperous condition, the revenue for the past year beint; £139 2s, expenditure £125 3s Bd, leaving a balance in hand of £13.8s 4d. Mr. Smith was nominated vicar's . warden, Mr. Cole people's warden, and the following gentlemen were elected members of the vestry: —Messrs. Cave, Brown. Mills, Walters, Lewis. 11. Willis, 11. G. Willis, McCormiok, and D. W. .Tones. - :