ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21988, 24 June 1933, Page 17

ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew’s Church was held in the schoolroom on Thursday night, the vicar (the Rev. W. A. Hamblett) presiding. There was a good attendance._ The vicar’s report stated, inter alia: — All the various organisations have been carried on with vigour. The vestry has met monthly, and gives careful consideration to the business side of church life, and the satisfactory financial position, as evidenced by the published statement, confirms this, and especially' thanks are due to the treasurer, who is indefatigable in the discharge of his office. The secretary of the vestry also deserves special thanks for his- careful work in this office over a number of years, and Mr W. Wcatherburn, who keeps the duplex envelope register. The Bible classes, of which there are four, meet regularly on Sundays. The membership is: Young men, 13; young women, 14. The Sunday School is fully staffed, and is working very satisfactorily. The number of children is rather smaller than usual, due to there being less children at present in the parish and to the fact that some are receiving religious education at private schools. There are six teachers and 62 scholars.' The Mothers’ Union has met monthly. The membei’ship is 49. Its members have again given the sum of £o to the Clothing Fund of St. Mary’s Orphanage. The Dorcas Society has done splendid work throughout the year, and has proved itself a great asset to the parish in these days of acute financial stress. It acknowledges its indebtedness to those parishioners and friends who have given clothing and goods for its winter and summer sales. These sales were the means of helping many poor people to obtain necessary supplies at a very low cost. Besides these activities, it gave £45 to the sick and needy, and this, together with dividends from the Blakeley and Russell Trusts, and withdrawals from the legacy of the late Air A. W. Geddes* enabled me to dispense the sum of £96 17s 6d among the sick and needy. The Girls’ Friendly Society membership is—associated 14, members 23. The chojf has again been a substantial help in the Sunday services. Its membership is—trebles 15, sopranos 9, contraltos 4, tenors 5, basses 5. Air Lloyd Martin officiated at the organ at the Lenten and the children’s services. Air R. Clarkson has this year been granted the organ bursary. The Hornby and Aleccano Club meets on Friday evenings. An intercession service for missions is held monthly, and this service is’followed by a Alissionary Reading Circle, which has a membership of eight. The Bellringers’ Guild, with a membership of eight, under the leadership of Air R. Clarkson, has carried out its duties well throughout the year. I desire to thank all those who contributed to the missionary work of the church, and to solicit the help ‘of others. The loss by death of some generous contributors constitutes a call to others to come forward and make good their loss. I have to thank Mr Lloyd Alartin also for his services as lay reader. The official acts of the vicar have been: — Baptisms 12, marriages 14, burials 18. The vicar presented and the bishop confirmed 21 candidates.

The church wardens’ report stated;— During the coming year it was hoped to be able to proceed with the lighting of the church, in conformity with the City Council’s regulations. The sum of £l9 4s now stands to the credit of that account. The sum of £l6 13s 3d stands to the credit of the asphalting account, and it is hoped to proceed with that very necessary work at an early date. During the year repairs in and around the vicarage wore carried out, and a fence erected on the west side of the property. We feel that an improvement towards the service is the placing of the offerings in the box in the porch, and that the finances have pot suffered through it. During Mr Newton’s vacation, Mr Lloyd Martin presided at the organ, and played very well, especially for the communion service. During the year the following parishioners passed away:—lsabella Tilson, Alice Ann Thomson. Frank E. Clapperton, and Mary, Shnlimar Baird. To the m,embers of the choir for their services, the bellringers, and all who, in various ways, have assisted during the year, we are gratefully indebted. Although the services are not so well attended as we would like to see, yet the interest in the church is Well maintained, and gives us hope for the future. The reports were adopted unanimously. The statement of accounts was highly satisfactory, considering the prevailing conditions. The total receipts from all sources amounted to £1043 10s lOd. All the liabilities had been met, and the new year would be started in encouraging circumstances. The churchwardens wore re-elected as follows: —Vicar’s Mr W. J. Ingram; people’s, Mr A. W. Martin; vestrymen— Messrs G. G. Austin, A. C. Birse, C. W. Hannah, F. W. Knight, W. Weatherburn, and Dr Williams. Votes of thanks were passed to those who had worked indefatigably in the interests of the church during the year.