ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144664, 26 April 1915, Page 4

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL REPOET. At the annual meeting of St. Mary’s parishioners to-night the following report will be submitted: — In presenting the accounts for tbo year ending March 31, 1915, the Vestry have much pleasure in showing a credit balance of £34 2s lOd, and have the satisfaction of knowing that the church is entirely free of debt. The church property is in fairly good order; hut some faulty slates on the roof will soon have to ho replaced by better ones and the whole of the copper nails holding the slates require inspection, as many are becoming corroded and perished.

In June Mr. IV. HI Butler was compelled to resign his position as People’s Warden, owing to his leaving the district. Mr. D. E. Hutton was elected to fill his place. Mr. Butler’s resignation was accepted by the \ cstry with great regret. During the absence of the Vicar in September hist, owing to ill-health, the parish was placed in the’ temporary charge of the Rev. J. L. Kayll, to whom the sincere thanks of the congregation are due for Ilia efficient mid valuable services.

Wo regret-to hare to record that Mr. G. F. Robinson lias resigned his seat on the Vestry, owing to his temporary absence.

The Vestry, on behalf of the congregation, desire to express their sympathy with Mr.-,. Govott and family, the Veil. Archdeacon and Mrs. Evans, on the death of .Mr. C. VV. Govott m June last. Mr. Govott was a loyal supporter of the church, and for many years acted as Lay Reader, while his services and advice were always freely given, and his gifts, both monetary and otherwise, were many and various.

Tho Vcstrv regret, also, to record tho death of the Yen. Archdeacon Walsh, to whom the church is indebted for the hatchments of the various English regiments now ou the walls, which in themselves will always he a monument to his memory. On October 20 a meeting of subscribers to the late Archdeacon Govctt’s Memorial Fund was hold in St. Mary’s Schoolroom, when it was decided that the memorial should be proceeded with at once, and Mr. Messenger was instructed to prepare plans and specifications for e, lady chapel and transept on the north side of "the church, 'ilie plans were approved hy the subscribers and tho Vestry were authorised to have the work proceeded with. The tender of Messrs. Walpole, Darlington, and Patterson, of Wanganui, for iifilO, was accepted. A Building Committee consisting of the Vicar. Churchwardens, and Messrs. Baker and Lush was appointed. Tho Vestry have pleasure in noting the valued addition to tho district of the new Sunday School at Vogel town. The people of that portion of the parish are to he heartily congratulated on the determination and zeal which they have shown in providing a building for this important port of church work. Tho special thanks of the congregation aro also due to Mr. aud Mrs. Cl. Neal for the long-continued use of their house as a Sunday school prior to the erection of the ureseht buildjng. The committee of that portion of l tho parish situated at To llenui and Beil Block have, through the Rev. H. A. Favoll, the pries t-iu-charge. approached the Vestry with respect to separating themselves from St. Mary’s Parish and forming a separate parochial district. Certain financial proposals have been made and are now under consideration, and the Vestry confidently hope that arrangements beneficial to both parties will be made, and that under their own management those districts will make further progress, both spiritually and financially. During the year thorp _ have been twelve general and two special meetings of tho Vestry, and the .attendances of members have, been’ as ‘follows: —J. Pa-ton 14 C. 15.’Baker 14,'E. B. Kingdon 14, S. Lush 14, F,.‘Lash 14, A. Cronko 12, H. Fookcs 11, 1). K. Hutton 10. B. Clark 10, T. G. Hirst 9, R. HillJohnsou 9, W. H. Butler 3.