ST. MARY’S CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1930, Page 6

ST. MARY’S CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING AT HAWERA

REVIEW OF YEAR’S ACTIVITIES.

There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of parishioners of . St. Mary’s Church, Hawera, on Wednesday night. The Rev. J. R Young presided. In their annual report the churchwardens’ report stated:— “We are pleased to report some outistanding features of • progress, but at the same time we have misgivings about some parts of our church life, and feci that we are not altogether living up to the splendid example set by those who have gone before. The attendance at the celebrations of Holy Communion are being well maintained, but other services are not so well attended as we would wish, especially when we remember the large number of church people living in this town. Numbers, we know, do not always count, but they are certainly helpful and inspiring in our worship. “The patronal festival and communicants’ breakfast were the most outstanding features of the year, and it must have been a great joy to all to meet so many under such happy conditions. The thanksgiving' services and breakfast were another great source of help and encouragement. During the year two choir festivals we.e held, and these proved a source of great inspiration to all who were privileged to be present. Thanks are due to Mr. Webb, who went to endless trouble in arranging all the little details which such services always entail. It was a great undertaking, but the result proved the wisdom of introducing such music to St. Mary’s.

“Regarding the financial statements, we regret that the position as. far as the general account is concerned has gone back to the extent of £l5B, or, if we omit the £5O bequest from the receipts, £2OB. This is accounted for mainly by the increase in the assessment from £466 o £6OO, also to additional expense in connection with repairs and renovations to the. parish car, and to a decline of £5O in the offertories and subscriptions. The position of the property account remains the same, but a considerable advance in the reduction of our property liabilities has been made during the year, mainly by the reduction of £450 in the Nolantown property debentures, due to the generous response to the recent appeal.

“During the' last few years the parish has done a great deal in reducing these property liabilities—-the records tor the last five years showing a definite reduction of about' £l4O0 —which is a very creditable performance. Unfortunately property troubles are still with us and must receive close attention, but we confidently feel that with the continued loyal support of the parishioners we should soon see a much improved' position. Our future aim must be to steadily continue the whittling-down process and endeavour to adjust the general account receipts and expenditure so as to make that account selfsupporting and thus enable us to retain the flower show funds for .meeting the property obligations. The vicar reviewed the year’s activities at length, specially mentioning several special services conducted, including taking custody of the guidon of the Queen Alexandra Mounted Rifles, the first service of its kind to be held in the Dominion, a thanksgiving service for the King, a special Masonic service, and a Rotary Club church parade. The Bible Class work had been very encouraging, there being six classes in connection with the church and over 100 members. The Foreign Missionary Guild had had an extremely successful year, and a special feature .of its activities was a study of works dealing with missionary efforts, whir' were uebated by the members. Appreciation was expressed of the work of the curate, Rev. C. L. Dobbs, the vicar stating that between them they had conducted 610 services during the year,. exclusive of weddings, funerals and baptisms. Also, 872 visits had been paid, exclusive of hospitals, etc. The appointment of officers resulted: Vicar’s warden, Mr. W. W. Sutton; people’s warden, Mr. J. M. Townsend; vestry, Messrs, Dale, Harley, Morris, -Henderson, Frampton, Caplen, Williams, Marychureh, Wyatt and McAnerin; auditors, Messsr, Clarke and Fyson.

OPERA HOUSE TALKIES. “RIO RITA” AT HAWERA. With an impressive record of English and American triumphs, “Rio Rita,” the first special picture to be produced by the new Radio Pictures firm, will open an extended season at the Opera House, Hawera, to-morrow at 2 p.m. It is a talking picture version of the Ziegfeld musical com'edy success which was presented in Hawera last by the Fuller management, but even in New York it was stated that the film eclipsed by far what was done on the stage. The principals. are Miss Bebe Daniels and Mr, John Bdlee. All re-, ports indicate that Miss Daniels has a fine speaking and singing voice. Mr. Boles was leading man in Broadway, musical comedy before leaving fori Holly wood, and as a result of his work in “Rio Rita” he has been hailed as one of the most prominent players on the screen to-day. The Hawera season is for four matinees and four nights, and intending patrons are advised to reserve early as the demand for seats is heavy. A free bus will leave the Kaponga post office at 6.45 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and seats may be reserved with the driver, ’phone 50, Kaponga. SCREENING OF “THE VIRGINIAN.” TO-NIGHT FOR THE LAST TIME. Audiences to the Hawera Opera House to-day will have the opportunity to learn whether pre-view critics were/correct when they said that Paramount’s “The Virginian” is “The Covered Waggon” of all-talking pictures. The film, based on the novel of the same name, which brought Owen' Wister quick fame in the 80’s, enjoys the distinction of being the first all-0- tdoors play to be recorded on the audible. films. But its greatest claim to all-time honours lies in its general perfection in every department. There are gorgeous settings, tense drama, rich romance, rollicking humour—and the theme is one which deals with an exact chapter in pioneer days. Seats may bo reserved at Miss Blake’s, ’phone 2713.-