GERALDINE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13596, 16 May 1908, Page 2

GERALDINE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting of parishoners was held on Thursday afternoon in the Parish Hall, the Rev. S. Hamilton, vicar, presiding. Apologies-for absence were received from Messrs L\ McFarlune and. W» G. Lewis.

Mr F. Burns read tho churchwardens report and balance-sheet which showed that apart from tho loan from the Church property trustees there was a credit balance of £54, of which £4O belonged to tho Parish Working Guild. On the motion of Mr P. G. Peacocke, seconded by Mr G. A. M. McDonald, the report and balance-shet-t were adopted. # The vicar read tho balance-sheet of the

quarterly report* showing a deficit of £2 7s and on the motion of Mr F. R. Flatman M.P. it was decided that the deficit be paid by tin-, vestry. Tho chairman appointed Colonel Moore vicar's rhun-hwarden and Mr Burns was re-elected parishioners' churchwarden. retiring vestry were re-elected and Mr !•'. W. Stubbs was r-ek-cted auditor. The following were appointed stipend collectors— Woodbuiy and Pleasant Point Valley— Mesdames J. M. Barker and D. Sharpe; Kakahu Bush", Miss Thomson; Orari Gorge, Mrs C. G. Tripp; Peel Forest, Mr G. J. Denniston: Mount Peel, Miss Acland; Rangitata, Miv> Blissett; Hilton and Gapes Vallev. Miss Kel laud; Orari and Belfield, Mr G. A. M. McDonald and Miss Ortou; Arundel.. Mr W. G. Lewis. Tho appointment of collector for Geraldine was left to tho churchwardens.

The vicars report- expressed regret at the retirement on account of ill-health of the Rev. J. K. Barklie, who had won the

gratitude of tho parish. Thanks were due in those members who had promised additional help to make up the stipend of an assistant to £2OO, bu* though enquiries ivero being made in many quarters they had not succeeded in getting anyone for the. position. During tho year there had been 26 baptisms, nine marriages and eight, burials, the corresponding figures for tho previous year being 47, 15, and 11 respeetievly. On September Ist the Bishop confirmed 14 candidates at Geraldine and eight at Orari. The lay readers had done excellent work during the year and the congregation excepting in Geraldine had been well up to the average. The Sunday schools though suffering somewhat owing to a scarcity of teachers had done good work. Thanks were duo to tho organists and choirs for their efficient work. The choir in Geraldine had suffered by removals and was still in need of more men. The balance-sheet of the Parish Working Guild showed that its income had been nearly £lB2 and the Guild were to be congratulated on the erection of a fine Parish Hall opened last May and which had pioved a great service to the parish. A Sunday school room at_ Woodbury had been opened on October 4th free of debt. It was a matter of satisfaction that in spite of a small falling off in the offertories £44 19 s Id had been given to missions. The branches of the Girls' Friendly Society in Geraldine and Woodbury had continued to flourish and they hoped to send help shortly towards the erection of a lodge in Christehurch for .the benefit of members when travelling. Gifts included a beautiful stained glass window in the Church of the Holy Innocents, Mt. Peel in memorv of the late Mr and Mrs Acland and a brass tablet in St. Thomas' Church, Woodbury, in memory of the late Mrs J. Thatcher. Mr G. Robertson of Kakahu had offered half an 'acre as a site for a church, which offer had been gratefully accepted by the C.P. Trustees. In conclusion the vicar wished to thank all members for their assistance and forbearance throughout a difficult year. Tho chairman reported that the New fealand Acetylene Gas Company were prepared to make a concession to churches for the installation of gas, but it was decided to take no steps in the matter at presen. It was resolved that the meeting approve of the church site at Kakahu and of the erection of a temporarybuilding thereon as soon as the necessary funds had been collected.

Before closing hearty votes of thanks were passed to the wardens and vestry, stipend collectors, lay readers, Sunday school teachers, organists, choirmasters and choirs, working guild members and all who had helped with the work of the church for the year.