WAKEFIELD PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13095, 2 May 1911, Page 1

WAKEFIELD PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISH-

lONERS,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Tho annual meeting in connection with the parochial district of Wekeliekl was held in tho Sunday school on Friday evening. The weather was incloment, .and prevented many from being present. Refreshments were handed round, after which the vicar, the Rev. O. It. Hewlett, took the chair, and opened the formal proceedings with prayer.

Mr. F. B. Peart (the Vicar's churchwarden) read the annual report as follows:— .

"During the past year tho work of the Church, has been going on steadily and quietly.. Morning and evening services have- been regularly maintained at Wakcfield each Sunday, with eno service each Sunday at Foxhill, Motupiko and Stanley Brook; fortnightly at Dovedale and monthly at Tadmor Woodstock and 88 Valley; while intermittent monthly week night services hare been held at Sherry, Wangapcka, Kiwi, Tui afid Kaka. At the last named, a Sunday school has been lately established. The attendances at all the above places have been fairly satisfactory. Holy Communion lias been administered fifty-five times, with a total of 1005 receptions. There have been 38 baptisms, 13 persons confirmed, 10 marriages, and 14 burials during the year. Again we have to record our indebtedness to tho lay readers for the very considerable- part they take in the maintenance of public worship, especially Mr. Thorn, who twice a month takes a service at a considerable distance from homo, in addition to ono regular monthly service at Dovedale. Dr. Hudson and Mr. InnesJones hare kindly undertaken Mr. Charles Faulkner's services while he is at the Coronation ceremonies. Among the evidences of general activity in the parish, the following may bo mentioned,: The Foxhill Church is now lighted with acetylene gas; Stanley Brook has paid £20 off tho loan in- ' stead of the usual £10; ten feet have been added to the Motupiko Church together with a comfortable vestry room as a transept; a commodious class room has been added to the Wakcfield Sunday school, and the school itself has been thoroughly repainted ; while Mr. George Hunt has had erected, at his own expense, a new picket fence in front of it, giving to the whole a neat and tidy appearance. All the above have been completed without a single penny of debt owing. The Vicar's (Rev. o.' It. Hewlett's) Bible Class hold every Thursday be- ) tween 8.30 and 9 a.m., in the State school has been maintained each wec>;. Miss Haultaine undertaking tliig. duty while the Vicar was away on his* annual holiday. The roll No is 60, but the average' attendance is only 33, which is somewhat disappointing. Tho various Sunday schools have been well maintained by a good staff of workers, and Mr. Hodgson, tho Wakefield Simday school superintendent, is to be congratulated in that his school has for the third time carried off tho gold medal from tho Diocese. The Rev. Cyril Hepher was the missioner appointed by tho New Zealand General Mission to hold a mission in this parish, and all his services wertv well attended. We have to lament the sudden loss of our beloved King Edward VII last May. Solemn memorial services were held on the day of his burial, there being a special mourning service at Foxhill, and a church parade at Wake-field and Tapawera, In conclusion wo heartily thank all who have laboured for tho welfare of the church in this parish, and trust that God may bless us all during the coming year."

On the motion of Mr- Peart, who stated that the Vicar had an imincnßO area to travel over each month and had worked hard, the Rev. Hewlett was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The balance sheet, which disclosed a satisfactory state of affairs was rend by Mr; C. H. White, the People's Churchwarden.

Mr. E. Hodgson, superintendent; of the Wakefield Sunday school, ivad tlie report of the Sunday school, which was also most satisfactory. This showed that the Sunday school had -secured the gold medal for three years. The competition included all' schools in Nelson, Marlborough and Wostland, Miss Winnio Gibbs being the winner. Mr. Hodgson also read tho balance sheet and report of the Foxhill Sunday schools.

The Vicar eulogised the work of tho eleven lay readers. ..Votes of thanks were accorded the following: Mrs. F. Hooper, Miss Hewlett Dr. W. .R. Pearless, Messrs E. Hodgson, W. Fawcett, and George Hunt, tho Churchwardens, vestries, organists, choirs, Sunday school teachers and all church workers. The Vicar named Mr. Rolling as his churchwarden, and the people elected Mr. Goo. Robertson as their churchwarden. The meeting then adjourned, the vicar closing with prayer.