WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144668, 30 April 1915, Page 8

WAITARA.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. April 2!).—The annual meeting of the parishioners of .St. John’s Church was held on Tuesday night. The Vicar, the Rev. C, F. K. Harrison, presided. After the accounts and balance sheet \gd boon rood and passed, thn Vicar presented bis report, which stated that the peculiar characteristic of life in New Zealand was constant change, and particularly in this part of the islands. No sooner had parishioners become interested in the district than duty often called them to other parts. He was pleased to welcome a lew new -parishioners to the' church. The attendance at the services were about the same as last year. The finances ot the church wore not quite so good iis last Tear, nevertheless there was a credit balance on all accounts excepting that of tho vicarage account, in which there was a small debit balance of £2 His lid. Eighteen candidates had been presented to tho Bishop tor the anicont rite of laying on of hands, which brought the number to 81 during the last five years. The lay readers throughout tho parish continued to take the services regularly, and their warmest thanks were due to them. Regarding the choir, under tho able conductorship' of Mr. Wore, marked improvement had been made, ami the thanks of the parishioners were duo to thn choirs and organists throughout the district tor their assistance. Tho vestry had mot regularly and work had gone on smoothly, which had not always been the case. The Indies’ .sieving guilds .started work, hut had discontinued meeting owing to tho war. Ho had no doubt, however, that they would resume work when possible; hence the debit balance on tho' vicarage, account. The Sunday School was, the Vicar stated, one of. if not the most, important works of tho church, mid it was therefore necessary that tho Sunday Schools should ho made ns efficient as possible. Ho was thankful to bo able to state that-they wore all progressing, tho Waiter a school having an attendance of 100, and thanks wore due to tho teachers in Waitara, Leppcrton, Tikorangi, Urenui and Wailii. During the year systematic visiting had boon made throughout his wide district. A great deal of time had been taken up in visiting tho sick, both in the parish and in the New Plymouth Hospital. An important matter that .must he mentioned was that during Llm year the Empire had been involved in the greatest war the world has over known. A number of their young men had show n their patriotism to tho Empire by volunteering for active service at the front and he trusted that under (Sod’s protection they would return safely. The least that they as church people could ilo in this givat .crisis of the world was to make intercession regularly for our nation, and especially for our Navy and Army, and for those who had gone to help from New Zealand and from our ,own parish.

A vote of thanks was passed to-all the church workers of the town and country districts. At the close of the meeting a social was held, and a very pleasant time was spent. „

.Mr. H. AA'ero has boon officially notified of his appointment as hon. representative of .the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of .Music for the new Waitara centre. AVaitara is to bo congratulated upon being probably the smallest town in the Dominion to be a centre for examinations. There is sonic doubt, as to whether it will be possible to navigate the submarine C‘2T>, as the river is likely to be in fresh after the heavy rain. Even should it he found impossible to use, t,ho submarine for target practice during the umiival, it should prove an attraction at some other time.