WHITELEY CHURCH MEETING

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1931, Page 7

WHITELEY CHURCH MEETING

REVIEW OF YEAR’S WORK. , TRUST FUND DEBIT REDUCED. The anniversary social gathering and annual meeting of members of Whiteley Memorial Church, New Plymouth, was held last night. The Rev. Clarence Eaton presided, associated with him being the Rev. E. D. P-atchett, president of- the Methodist Conference of New Zealand; Reporting on the- yea-r’is activities, the chairman eaid the trust finance had begun the year with a debit of £472, which was a decrease compared with the figures at the corresponding period the previous year, and ended with a debit of £439, including an expenditure of £6l used to reduce a parsonage debt; so that the financial position had improved by £94. The parsonage debt was £6OO three years ago, but to-day had been reduced to £lBO, so that in a short time it should be wiped out. To the women of the church a debt of gratitude was due, for they had been responsible for raising £273 7s. through the butterfly bazaar ( £142 165.) and the flower show ( £l3O Ils. Bd.). The work of the women occupied a very important place in the activities of the church. The guild had had a, capital year and the missionary auxiliary had continued its activities. Women membens of the church were actively interested in the W.C.TJU. and the Seamen’s Rest. Whiteley Church was fortunate in having such a fine band of women always ready to assist in its work. The ordinary income of the church had hot been quite so much as last year. There had been a shrinkage in the offertories that was only to be expected m view of the times; neverthless the circuit account was ill debit by only £42, which would no doubt be removed when the returns from the harvest festival came in. Sunday school scholars had increased from 161 to 185. Bible class attendances had been most encouraging, as, indeed, had been all the young people’s work. Mr. Kirk, who had joined during the year, made a fin® leader of tho young men’s Bible class. On the young women’s side, it was to be noted that the union headquarters were now in New Plymouth, and the class activities were commendable. Generally it could be said that young peoples’ work was on the up-grade. . Services from Whiteley Church were now being broadcast every third Sunday evening, and Mr.’Eaton mentioned that he had received several letters testifying to the helpfulness of this facility to those unable to attend personally. The choir, which during the year had held a drive for members, had given the church very fine, service indeed, and thanks were specially due to Mr. R. Laurie Cooper (the conductor), Mr. White, (organist) and to the members.

Death had claimed Mr. Thomas Veale, Mesdames Hunt and Healy and Miss Rosin a Sole, all esteemed members of the church. Mr. Eaton said he considered the church in New Plymouth had a splendid opportunity, of continued service. Methodism had always stood high in the town. The Westown and Fitzroy Sunday schools had shown increased attendances and the church’s work in the country districts had been maintained. The following officers were appointed: Society stewards, Messrs. M. Barnitt, A, J. Perrott, M. Sutherland, W. H. Greenwood, P. Wells, G. W. Kirk, A. G. Carey and L. Hughes; representatives to the quarterly meeting, Mesdames Griffin, Gibson, Wells and Hughes, Mias Doris Hogg and H. Kendrick; poor fund stewards, Mrs. G. H. White and Miss Sole. A musical programme arranged by Miss Connell was contributed to by the following: Mrs. Steven, pianoforte eolo; Mies Irene Gilbert, eong; Mr. Eric Nielson, violin solo; Mr. R. Gilbert, song; Mrs. W. Brown, musical monologue; Mrs. J. McLeod, song; Mr. Frank Cleland, song, Miss and Mr. Gilbert, vocal duet. Mrs. Steven played the accompaniments. Floral decorations were arranged by Mrs. Gibson.