ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5006, 14 May 1889, Page 3

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING. The annual Parish meeting, adjourned from the 6th inst, was held at St Mary’s school room yesterday evening at 8 o’clock. The Venerable Archdeacon Harper presided and opened the proceedings with prayer. There were also present, Captain Woollcombe, Messrs M. Gray, Shepherd, Hodges, M. White, Gilman, Enubley, Major Barnfield, Sims, Steadman, Jones, A. Gabiles, Bullock, Cargill, Shirtcliffa, Willway, 0. S. Fraser, Foden, G. Davis, Reilly, Foley and T. Smith, The minutes of Parish [meetings held on 24th April 1888, and 6th May 1889 wore read and confirmed. The chairman referred to the reports which had been distributed to the congregation. He regretted very much to inform them, that the accounts again shewed a deficit. He had hoped that a much larger number in the parish would have contributed to the sustentation fund. The ordinary income of the church about balanced the expenditure. The sustente tion fund was required to pay the interest | on the debt and he hoped that the incoming vestry would make a special effort to reduce the debt and that a large proportion of Church people would contribute towards that object. He had ascertained while at the General Synod in Dunedin, that the contributions in Now Zealand for three years only averaged 3s 8d per annum for each person attending Church. It was therefore supported by the few and not the many. In a large parish like this there ought not to be the least difficulty in raising funds if all true churchmen lent a helping hand. The parish had now solid and valuable buildings which would meet the requirements for a long time. He was pleased to inform them that notwithstanding about 50 church members had left Timaru since last E aster, the average attendance was good. The Sunday schools have suffered the loss of several good teachers, owing to removals from the district. He hoped, however, soon to be able to replace them. The Bishop of the Diocese would probably resign about the end of the year, but he hoped to have another confirmation before that occurred, but was not sure. The venerable archdeacon concluded by thanking all those who had worked for the good of the church, and hoping that God’s blessing would rest unon their labours during the year. (Ap-; plause). Mr Gray next submitted churchwarden’s report and balance sheet which were taken as read. A few of the items were discussed by several in the meeting, Mr Gray giving satisfactory answers to questions asked, and also stating that next year’s balance sheet would shew a still further reduction in the expenditure. Proposed by Mr M. White and seconded by Mr Will way that the report and balance sheet be adopted. - Carried. The following persons were duly elected to fill the offices of the Church for the year : —Captain Woollcombe, Minister’s churchwarden ; Mr M. Gray, parishoners’ churchwarden ; Major Bamfield, Messrs Sims, M, White, Enubley, Hedges, Gilman, Steadman, Bullock, Gabites, and Shirteliffe, Vestrymen; Messrs Priest and Cargill, auditors. Mr M. White proposed and Major Bamfield seconded a very hearty vote of thanks to the Archdeacon for his very handsome gift of £l5O towards the funds of the Church, and for his untiring efforts and earnestness for the welfare of the Church and people.— Carried by acclamation. Proposed by Mr G. Hedges, and seconded by Captain Woollcombe—“ That the congregation of this church desire to express their sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to the organist j Mr Ziesler, choirmaster and choir, for the very able services they have given to the church during the past yean in providing and rendering the choral services, more especially on festival days, by the beautiful singing of the anthems and other musical portions of the church service. We believe that the choir have frequently been instrumental in attracting large congregations to the church, all helping to contribute to the worship and glory of God,” Mr Cargill proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the churchwardens for their arduous work in conducting the affairs of the parish, which was entirely a labour of love, and highly complimented Mr Gray on the manner in which he had kept the accounts. (Applause.) Hearty voles of thanks were proposed by Mr Will way (o Mr Ziesler for the use of the school room ;by Captain Woollcombe to the Sunday school teachers ; by Mr Enubley to the Ladies Guild, the Dorcas Society, the Benevolent Institution, and the auditors; all of which were carried by acclamation. All the business being concluded, Mr Bullock proposed and Major Bamfield seconded a vote' of thanks to the chairman, which was heartily responded to and the meeting closed. "Thefollowing wore the reports which had been printed arid circulated Annual Report.

Tho usual services have been held, with a large average attendance. Holy Communion every Sunday, on the chief festivals, two celebrations, and on tho principal holy days. Average attendance : 8 30 am. 23 ; midday, 34, Gaol service every Sunday alternately, at 8 a.m , by the Incumbent and a lay reader. Baptism service every Sunday at 4 p.m., except on tho second Sunday of tho month, when a amice is held by the Incumbent at Kingsdown at 3 pm, Wednesday evening service, and daily morning services during Advent and Lent Tuesday evenings a service at the Sandietown school. There have been 132 baptisms, 10 marriages, 27 burials, and .^confirmed.'

The schools continue to flourish, but we are in great need of more male teachers. A morning Sunday school is held, with average of 41, and a bible class for young men, by Major Bamfield, on Sunday afternoons. The following are the statistics of the afternoon schools:—

It will he seen by reference to the school balance sheet that a considerable sum has been raised by the teachers and their friends for school prizes, school material, and the annual festival, which was thoroughly successful. Through the recent departures from the Parish, which have been numerous, we have lost the services of several able and zealous teachers, and are much in need of others to replace them. The superintendents will gladly welcome volunteers for the work. The Benevolent Society has done good,both in visiting the sick and needy, and raising funds for their aid. A list of subscriptions has been printed, and will be forwarded to each subscriber.

During tho year the Needlework Guild has held its regular meetings, and contributed a large sum towards payment of interest on the Church Building Bund. A Dorcas. Society for the purpose of Bible study, and to assist persons in obtaining articles of clothing by their own needlework, with small weekly subscriptions, has been successfully organised by Mrs Beswick, who acts os the superintendent of the society, with a managing committee. The society meets every Monday at 2.30 p.m. ?n St. Mary’s schoolroom; honoiary members contribute to the funds, and attend tho meetings. The rules of the society cau be obtained from Mrs Beswick.

Opr best thanks are due to the choir, to Mr T. Gooch (organist), and to Mr Ziesler, our choirmaster, for the valuable and efficient work they undertake. Our services of prayer and praise ore most satisfactory, and, I am sure, are thoroughly appreciated by all who have the privilege of attending them. The Bishop of the Diocese will probably resign his office at the end of the year. Should ho be able to visit the parish again for confirmation, due notice will be given. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the churchwardens, vestry, and numerous church workers, with my earnest hope that God’s blessing may continue to be with us as heretofore.

Heney W. Haepee Archdeacon,

CaiTECHWABDBKS’ REPORT.

The churchwardens regret that the accounts for the year show a deficiency of £ll7 17s 4d.

After paying sundry accounts which had stood over from last year, and, on the other hand, allowing for payments made in reduction of debt, the indebtedness of the church has been increased during the year £164 2s 6d.

The ordinary income, £1064 4s Bd, more than covers the ordinary expenditure, £Bl2 Os lOd ; but the charge for interest, £353 9s Id, causes a deficiency. The offertories (53) Sundays amount to £447 2s sd, the average showing a considerable decrease as compared with former years : 1887 being £lO 9s 6d per Sunday ; 1888, £9 15s Dd j and 1889, £8 8j Bd. The seat rents have also fallen off, notwithstanding the appointment of a collector ; and as there are a considerable number of seats to let ifc is to be hoped that those who attend services frequently, and are not already eeatholders, will apply to the Churchwardens for sittings.

The Sustentation Fund has been instituted this year, and thanks are due to those who have contributed. It is to bo regretted, however, that a much larger numder of Church attendants have not subscribed ; and in consideration of the deficiency of the year's accounts, those who have not contributed are solicited to do so, as without more liberal contributions from the congregation the expenses of the Church cannot be provided for.

Parishoners are reminded that they are again indebted to Archdeacon Harper, who for the sixth year in succession, has subscribed the largo sum of £l5O. The Ladies of St. Mary’s Guild have subscribed £SO 7b lOd to the Building Fund ; and very ereat praise and thanks are due to them.for their indefatigable work in providing so large a sum. The thanks of the parishoners are due to Archdeacon Harper for his zeal and attention to the welfore of the Church, and to the Organist, Choir and Choirmaster, Sunday School Teachers, ond other Church workers for their various services.

B. Woollcombe } , , Melville Qeay ] Churchwardens.

■g g School ja m 3 « o <0 to « < Teachers Upper Mrs Herdman 157 103 12 Lower Mr Willway 128 101 10 Sandietown Mrs Luxmoore ICO 112 13 Waimataitai Mrs Woollcombc 59 41 5 Totals 513 390 3D