ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143772, 22 April 1912, Page 2

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of St. Mary’s Vestry to be presented to the annual meeting of parishioners on Tuesday night is as follows: In presenting the accounts for. the year ending March 31st, 1912, the , Vestry regret to show a debit balance instead of a credit one as last year. This is almost entirely accounted for by the expenses incurred in re-painting and papering the vicarage. The Vestry feel that the charging of extraordinary expenses such as this against any one year is not fair, and purpose establishing a sinking fund to meet such contingencies in future, whether for church, vicarage, or school.

1 Debentures to the amount of £9O have been paid off, reducing the parish debt to £3lO in all.

During the year many minor additions and. renovations have been made to the church, property, which is now in good condition all round. The found columns Surrounding the : octagonal pillars, in the church, many of. which were badly affected with . worm, have been replaced with new ones, and all have been reduced in size, improving the general appearance, and opening up the view of the chancel from the south aisle. The choir stalls occupied by the ladies have been altered, making them more comfortable.. The pathway round the church has been tarred and sanded, a new path cut out from the aoutli porch to the gate in Brougham Street, the four large trees near the gate in Fulford Street, which were in a dangerous condition, have been removed, and a small outhouse has, also been erected for the storage of tools, etc. The vicarage has been entirely re-painted outside and in, re-papered, fitted with electric light, and many minor alterations tending to the greater comfort of its occupants have also been effected. During the first ten months of the financial year the Rev. J. Wilkinson was in charge of the parish, and the vestry have much pleasure in placing on record their appreciation of tho faithful services rendered by him during that time. Assisted by Mr. Kempthonie and the lay readers, the services in all parts of the parish have been kept going, and his painstaking efforts, unfailing courtesy, and kindly sympathy will be long remembered. The Rev. A: H. Colvile, whose acceptance of the living was made known in June last, Was duly instituted by the Bishop of Auckland on January 26, and presided fof the first time at a Vestry meeting on February 12th. The Vestry trust that be may long be spared for God’s work in tne parish, and that under him the Church may make still greater spiritual progress. The Vestry note with regret the-re-signation through ill health of the Venerable Archdeacon Cole, and desire to plaice on record their thankfulness for the many services rendered by him, and especially his efforts on behalf of the settlers in the back blocks.

The Vestry. note with much satisfaction the appointment of the Rev. F. 6. Evans as Archdeacon Cole’s successor, and trust .that the good feeling that always existed betoween them as Vicar and Vestry may be continued in their new relations. , In 1906, when the finances of the Vestry were in a straitened condition, it was resolved to hand over the Sunday school buildings to the management s! a sub-committee. This committee, with the late Mr.-. T. Woodard as chairman, and Mr. H. C. Baker as hon. secretary, has done excellent work since that.time, having kept the building in thorough repair, paid all rates, taxes, and in addition handed over £l6 13s to the Vestry towards the general expenses? Altogether .they have expended over £2OO, which otherwise would have had to be met hy the congregation. Mr. H. C. Baker resigned his position as hon. secretary at the end of December, and as a consequence the management of the school building has reverted to the Vestry. Judging from past experience this will entail an annual expenditure of about £25. The Vestry are much ‘indebted to this committee (the late Mr. T. Woodard, Mra. Doekrill, Mr. Lush, and Mr. H. C. Baker) for the substantial financial aid they have afforded them.

The need of a Sunday school in the growing district of Vqgeltown has been long felt. Mr. T. K. Skinner some time ago generously gave a piece of ground for this purpose, but as it was too far out for present requirements, Mr. W. H. Skinner came to the rescue with the offer of the free use of a piece of land for a site, and it is proposed on this to erect a small building. The offertory at the late ordination service was devoted to this purpose, and also those at the Wednesday evening Lenten services, and it is hoped the building will ,be opened nearly free of debt at an eariy date. The Girls’ Friendly Society having applied to the Vestry for help in starting a Girls’ Club, it was decided to recommend the Trustees to grant them the use of the old vicarage in Robe Street for this purpose at a reduced ..rental. This has been done, and the G.F.S. will shortly be entering into occupation. It is confidently hoped that under their management the proposed club will prove a valuable adjunct to the Church’s work. The demand for sittings ill the church has been gradually increasing all through the year, and there are now more seats appropriated than is allowed by the Canon Law of the Church. Under these circumstances the Vestry have no option but to stop letting any more. Persons desirous of taking seats are requested to make written application to the churchwardens; these applications will be filled and seats allotted as vacancies occur, strictly in order of application. During the year the Vestry have lost the services of two members, Messrs. W. H. Skinner and W. Crawford, both of whom have left the town. Their valuable services to the Church are well known, and will long he remembered by all those who had the pleasure of being associated with them.