ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144070, 15 April 1913, Page 4

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETTho annual meeting of parishioners of St. Mary's Church was held in St. Mary’s Hail on Monday evening. Iho vicar, Rev. A. H. Coivile, presided over a large attendance of parishioners. The annual report and balance-sheet of tho Vestry, as already published in thef Herald, were adopted after a brief discussion. T , —, . . Tho hon. treasurer (Mr. John Paton) explained that since the balance-sheet had been prepared, receipts from the recent bazaar and other sources would enable tho Vestry further to reduce, tho debentures building account by £SO, leaving it at £2OO. Tho balancesheets of tho Govett-Brown Memorial Fund and tho Govctt-Billard Memorial Fund, both showing satisfactory states of affairs, wore also road and adopted. SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK. Tho Sunday School Superintendent (Mr. Stanley W. Shaw) road his annual, report in 'which ho said the year’s work had been well maintained, the attendance showing a gratifying increase' over last year. Tho number on tho roll of the morning school was about 110 scholars, with 8 teachers, and tho afternoon school 24(1 scholars, with 18 teachers. Ho made reference to the loss by resignation of Mrs. Dockrill, after nearly 40 years’ faithful service. This year there iiad been no prize giving, tho children having voluntarily offered to forego their prizes so that tho money might bo donated to the Vogel town School building fund. - Tho latter accordingly benefited to tho extent of £lO. Tho report regretted tho lack of interest shown by parishioners in tho annual bulb show held in September, which, from a spectacular point of view was a groat.success. The. annual picnic was held in Mr. FTcthey’s beautiful grounds at Frankloigh Park on January SO. Tho To Henui, Moturoa and Vogcltowu branches all joined in, and favoured with fine weather the children had a most enjoyable time. The school was under a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Frcthey for tho kindness in ’ allowing tho -nso of tho grounds, and also for assisting in other ways to make the outing so enjoyable. Vogoltown School Building Fund.— “In mv last report;” continued tho superintendent. “I referred to tho, need of a school building at Vogdtnwn, and in order to add to tho amount already in hand for this purpose an appeal for contributions was mado to the congregation a few weeks ago. (The response, although not (pato up to expectations, has so far resulted in tho sum of £37 10s 4(1 being added to our funds, which now stand at' £9l 10s. I take this opportunity of thanking tlioso who .so kindly, responded to tho appeal. A few more pounds‘would bring tho amount in hand to. £IOO, sufficient to justify ns' in commencing our building. Mull those who' have not yet for various reasons Contributed pleaso note that tho opportunity for assisting in this work for tho good of tho littlo ones in God’s service is still open. Branch Schools. —Tho schools at To Hcuui, Omata, Motilron, and Vogel-, town aro being carried on ,as , usual, also Mrs, .Courtney’s class at York Terraco. At Omata wo aro unfortunately losing tho services of Mrs. Colson, who for .some time past lias been carrying on tho work. It is honed that a successor may soon bo found to fill her place. At Moturoa, Mr. Kingdon puts to film mo many of our younger men. Assisted 'by 'Air., Seville he is doing faithful and loyal .work, and in addition often’ takes evening service at Omata. At Vogeltown, owing to indisposition,’ wo have boon deprived of Airs. Babb’s valuable’ services for some months, bub wo hope that she may soon lio strong enough to take up her duties again. In tho n'ennymo Miss Pelham, at considerable self sacrifice is helping Mrs. Neal to carry on the work. This report would bn quite incomplete without some reference to tho retirement of Miss Devenish from our afternoon school, where for so many years she has taken entire charge of the infant classes with conspicuous success. Tho infant.division is acknowledged to bo. tho nidst important in tho life of a Sunday School, and under Miss Dovonislrs loving care the little ones have been most thoroughly and wisely instructed. Tho retirement of Miss Devenish from .this most important branch of tho school work is a distinct loss to .both the school .and-tho parish. At the same time parishioners will ho pleased to know that sho is still carrying on the good work of tho morning school, in which the Bible (lass of boys is so strong a feature. Tho old trouble, “Shortness of Teachers” still continues. Wo badly need both young men and women who will volunteer for this work.

In conclusion I wish to thank tho teachers for their loyal help.and cooperation during tho past year, also all those who have assisted in various way's to carry on the work, of tho school.” The Rev. J. A. Kcmpthorno referred to tho absence in the report to any reference to tho Bell Block Sunday School'which, ho said, was conducted regularly ,on Sunday mornings under tho able superintendency of Mrs. Colson. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Mr. C. E. Baker road a communication ho had received, from Canon Garland on tho question of the Bible in Stato Schools, requesting that tho following resolution be proposed at this meeting“ That this meeting pledges itself to support tho platform of the Bible in State Schools League, and rerecommonds that a referendum of tho wholo people of tho Dominion bo taken to decide, the question.” Mr. F. W. Sandford seconded the motion, which was carried almost unanimously. , ELECTION OE OFFICERS. > Officer's for tho ensuing year wore elected 'as follows Vicar’s warden, Mr. John Baton (rc-elcctcd); people’s church warden, Mr. W. H. Butler; vestrymen, Messrs. H. Stocker. S. IV. Shaw, G. F. Robinson, J. W. Harvey, A. Crooke, C. E. Baker. E. B. Kingdon, T. Hirst, Jas. Taylor, S. Lush; hen. auditor, Mr. P. C. Morton (reelected). Tho vestry were empowered to fill any vacancy occurring during the year. On the motion of Mr.'S; W. Shaw, seconded by Mr. H. Bedford, It was mado a recommendation to tho incoming vostry to have tho annual reports and statements of accounts printed in pamphlet form as previously, and not on ono sheet as is now done. Tho Vicar directed some pointed remarks to tho present state of tho choir. The majority of tho members wero loyal, he.said, and did their best for the]

church, but they wore fast approaching a crisis iu the affairs of the choir. It was a matter for tlio whole congregation. who should supply the material for tho choir,, to consider. Ho hoped the congregation would consider the question very seriously, and those possessed of tho groat gift of music would give their time and trouble to this, tho most important part of the service cf God and His Church. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all those pTio worked so enthusiastically in organising and carrying out tho" late big bazaar to such a successful conclusion. Special votes of thanks were. passed to Mrs. Devenish and Mrs. W. D. Webster for their work in collecting funds for tho vestry. A resolution of thanks to iho retiring officers concluded tho meeting.