WAITARA ANGLICANS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1935, Page 13

WAITARA ANGLICANS

PARISH ACCOUNTS IN DEBIT. ' ' VICAR’S REDUCED STIPEND. > The annual meeting of parishioners of the St. John’s Anglican Church was held in St. John’s hall, Waitara, on Wednesday night. The Riv. C. W. Clark, act-ing-vicar, who presided over an attendance of about 25, acknowledged the friendly reception he and Mrs. Clark had had in all parts of the district. Judging from the list of church members, it must be admitted there was room for increased attendance at the services. The large Sunday, school roll spoke well fdr the future of the church, provided some means were found of holding and interesting girls and boys who were getting beyond Spnday school age. Miss Wells had undertaken the leadership of a girls’ Bible class and the problem was to find a leader for a similar class for boys. Six adults and 17 young. people were confirmed on March 34. At present the vicar took the upper class for boys, but was thus unable, .to get into touch with Sunday schools in the out-districts. The Mothers’ Union had held regular meetings and had been paid a visit by the diocesan president. The ladies’ guild was in recess during the summer, but would be resuming activities this month. The acting-vicar thanked members of the vestry, especially the wardens, for their co-operation and the choir t and Sunday school teachers. ' rt Services in the out-districts were held regularly. During his visit for confirmation the bishop spent the whole day in the district and officiated at Lepperton and Motunui. The work of the only lay reader, Mr. W. N. Ackland, deserved special mention; He made it possible to hold services at Lepperton every Sunday. Another licensed lay reader would be a welcomed addition to the staff of honorary workers and would enable every district to have a full service instead of shortened evensong as was now the case at one place. It was hoped. that the coming visit of representatives of the Church Army would result in a closer fellowship in the parish. ; - t The wardens reported that early in December the vicar, the Rev. Mr. Fus--6611, obtained leave of absence to visit England, and arrangements were made for the Rev. C. W. Clark to take over, his duties for about six months. Mr. and Mrs. Clark had shown untiring zeal and energy in -their endeavours to stimulate the spirit of Christian service and to foster the social activities of the parish. It was hoped parishioners would support them in their unselfish work in the parish. The vestrj- offered its thanks to those who gave their, services for' the welfare of the church, special mention being made of the organist, Miss Johnstqne, and of the choir, Mrs. Stoad (the secretary of the duplex envelope system), the ladies’ guild, Sunday school teachers and rose show workers. Mr. A; J. L. Wells had volunteered to help the vicar with church,, services and it< was hoped his action would inspire other young men or women to assist. The vestry also thanked Mr. Clark for undertaking the duties of vicar at a much reduced stipend in order to help the pariSh finances. Financially the parish -was about £47 down on the year’s working and this, added to the debit balance carried forward from the previous year, made the accounts £7O in debt, notwithstanding the fact that the stipend paynient was £23 less. The offertories and duplex Ofivelopes had almost, maintained the standard of the previous year. The rose show had not been as successful as usual and it was recommended that this item be given special consideration this year. A special appeal was made for financial assistance to extinguish the debit balance and thus Relieve the guarantors of their contingent liability. . It was regretted that One of the outside districts was more than a year in arrears with its quota to the vicar’s stipend and it was suggested a sub-committee should b 6 appointed .to assist the pieople at Motufiui. The parish’s quota for missions was behind to the extent of about £6. The hall account Showed a debit of £l4 16s compared with £2. 8s lOd the previous year, but a capital expenditure for additions, etc., approximately £4O, fully explained the position. Otherwise a fair credit balance would have been shown. It was suggested that more entertainments should be given for the hall funds. Though the parish was just managing to maintain its position, it was not making much progress in extending the work of the church, which should be the aim of every Christian. New ideas for the advancement of the parish would be cordially received by the vestry and given careful consideration. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the year to ‘be £482 19s ?d and the expenditure £553 Ils 9d.

Officers were elected as follows:— Vicar’s warden, Mr. A. Chadwick; people’s warden, Mr. J. W. Hamlin; vestry. (10 members), Messrs. H. J. Wells, W. B. Glasgow, C. R. Stead, C. F. Dowsett, G. W. Clayton, A. J. Wells and Mrs. W. ZB. Glasgow; auditor, Mr. James Hine; delegate to diocesan synod, Mr. C. R. Stead; representatives on the rural archdeaconry board, Messrs. W. N. Ackland, J. W. Hamlin and C. F. Dowsett.