HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1930, Page 10

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

STRATFORD PARISHIONERS MEET

ANNUAL REPORTS PRESENTED.

‘•The year under review, my first year as vicar of this .parish, has been one of great interest and happiness. My chief objects have been the complete visitation of the parish and making myself thoroughly conversant with parochial conditions,” stated the report pre-

sented by the vicar, the Rev. G. T. Beale, to the annual meeting of parishioners of the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, last night. He was very grateful for the help he had received on all sides, the • vicar .continued, and as a result of the knowledge gained he was convinced that the parish had great possibilities. If the parishioners endorsed the scheme which was to bo placed before them at the annual meeting he believed they might confidently expect a very real spiritual and material development in their work. It was essential that he should be in close touefh with every part of - the parish and to that end the formation of local committees would be of great assistance to him.

Efforts had been made to develop the work amongst the young people and children with no small measure of success. „ Both Sunday schools were well attended and the superintendents and teachers were loyally doing an extremely important work. The different guilds had materially assisted in. the work of the parish and their help is much appreciated.’ Services had been (held regularly at all centres, due to the conscientious way in which the, lay readers had done their work.

Ho felt especially grateful for the co-operation of the organist and the choir members during a period of difficulty, , Though small in numbers they had been most regular and faithful. Thanks were due to the church wardens? vestrymen and secretary for the time and interest they had given to the business side of the work. At all times

the most friendly and helpful, relations had existed. During the year there had been 1927 Communicants, 32 baptisms, 9 weddings and 19 funerals. The church wardens, Messrs. N. B. Fletcher and E. H. Young, reported that Mr. and Mrs. Beale had been welcomed at the conclusion of the last annual meeting and they had since that time entered whole-heartedly into the spiritual and social life of the parish. The parish covers a wide area, but notwithstanding its dimensions the vicar had succeeded in visiting both in town and country. The finances of the parish had constantly engaged the attention of the vestry, and the position was not as satisfactory as it should he. The vestry felt that the finances ought to be placed on a firmer and bettor basis, and proposals would be placed before the meeting which, it is hoped, wofild attain the desired end.

Although as at present constituted their status was that of a parochial district, for a number of years the obligations of a parish had been fulfilled. The time was opportune id petition synod in the direction of acquiring the status of a parish. ■

The statement of receipts and expenditure showed a credit balance of £23 13s Md, plus cash in. hand £2 Ils. The vealed an excess of income of £25 5s Bd.

There were.4o present, the Rev. G. T. Beale presiding. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr, E. H, Young, The balance-sheet, he said, indicated that the church was neither progressing nor retrogressing in its financial position; it was merely holding its own. He referred with pleasure to the energy of the vicar in carrying out his promise to visit the home of every parishioner and expressed the satisfaction of the vestry at Mr. Beale’s work in the parish. The speaker mentioned the work of the various church organisations and individuals.

The following officers were elected: Vicar’s warden, Mr. N. B. Fletcher; people’s warden, Mr. E. H. Young; vestry, Messrs. A. J. Smith (Cardiff), H. Graham (Midhirst), A. Marfell (Huinga), and G. Were (Toko), A. G. Cutfield, H. Middleton, H. C. Johnson, J. Fredric, E. 8. Rutherfurd aiid H. Butcher (town members); auditor, Mr. W. Power.

Considerable discussion ensued regarding church finances. The vicar , stated the balance-sheet disclosed that collections had fallen by £5 and subscriptions by. £7O, while subscribers to the envelope system had. dropped- from the original 150 to 50. He had been astonished to discover that to run the parish efficiently the minimum sum of £7OO a year was Required. To raise this amount the special committee that had investigated the position recommended that Stratford should find by direct giving G7f per cent, or £475, Toko and Huinga 18 per cent,, or £125, Midhirst 10 per cent, or £75, and Cardiff 3| per cent, or £25. It, was proposed that committees be established in the country districts to’conduct canvasses and to raise the quotas indicated. The report was adopted, the meeting thus directing the vestry to proceed with the scheme. It was agreed to continue with the publication of the parish leaflet, Mrs. E. H. Young being accorded special thanks for her work in this connection. LADIES’ GOLF MATCH. The draw for the Stratford ladies' bogey match to be played to-morrow is:— Mrs. Budge plays Airs. W. Boon. Mrs. Curtis plays Mrs. Mark. Mrs. W. Williams plays Mrs. Richards Mrs. Abraham plays Mrs. Robinson. Mrs. Burn:ester plays Mrs. Hill. Mrs. Seyb plays Mrs. Bishop. Mrs. Urwin plays Miss North. Airs. Allen plays Miss Porritt. Mrs. C. Williams plays Mrs. Ryan. Miss Bayly plays Mrs. Fryday. Mrs. Boon plays Mrs. Fisher. Miss Malone plays Mrs. Knewstubb. Mrs. Bowler nlavs Airs. Keller