FAIRLIE NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170269, 14 July 1920, Page 9

FAIRLIE NOTES.

(From our own Correspondent). SCHOOL BENEFIT. On Thursday evening in the Pnblio Hall & benefit entertainment was giv-t-n by Messrs Ganderton and Potter, picture show proprietors, in aid of the school funds. The hall was packed almost to the doors, and young and old thoroughly enjoyed, the programme provided for them. The pictures werenot specially picked for the occasion, being the ordinary films received by the firm in its weekly programme. Yet they were exceptionally good, and those who do not visually patronise the pictures at Fairlie were surprised by their excellence. Indeed it was stated that even in the 'Dig cities no better programmes are provided than those put on by Messrs Ga.ndcrtnn and Potter. The light, provided by a plant installed by the proprietors, iv;i 3 very good. The programme came to an end all too soon, and at its" conclusion a. very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Ganderton and Potter for their kindness in so substantially aiding the school funds. The project was willingly and readily taken up by them, and they worked, enthusiastically to make then- offer a complete suit-ess.

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING. On Friday evening the annual meeting of the parishiouors of Fah-lie was held in the Parish Hall. Tlie "Rev. CL. "Wilson presided over a fair attendance, and there wore several ladies rjresent

The chairman in his opeuing address stated that as he had.only been in the parish for :t short time he had n<< formal report to make. Three. Vicars had baeu ju charge of the district since last annual meeting, and they had all done good work. 'Me dealt with some, featiues of church, worship, and work in the district, and urged members to mako their communion regularly. Ho' also expressed the. wish that children should be encouraged to attend the Fucharistio service, in order that it j may be familiar to them after their confirmation. He also impressed upon parents the importance of sending their children regularly to Sunday School. He thanked the -wardens-,, and I vestry and the parishioners generally | for the cordial welcome given him when ho came to tlie parish, and for the .heli} that had been extended to him. As yet ho had not had much time to get round the parish, but now that he was getting more settled ho hoped to. become 'better acquainted with his people, during the next few months. He acknowledged with thanks the efforts of the vestry to make the vicarage and its surroundings comfortable, and would do his best to maintain the improvements made. The peoples' warden, Mr C. J. Talbot, presented the annual statement of accounts and report. The former showed the following items, among others: — Peeeipts, offertories £llß, donations to various funds £l9, subscriptions £175. Expenditure, general expenses £62, special offertories £35, vicarage and grounds £96 local payments to stipend £175, sundry expenses £3O. The credit balance included stipend in hand to 31sfc March next £2OO, motor allowance £25, and £7l in various funds. Tlie warden's report recounted the changes that had taken place in the clergy during the 3 ear, and expressed the hope that the Rev. Mr Wilson would settle amongst them for some time. During the year several ardent church workers had removed from the parish, including the LeCren and Piper families, Mrsi Wright, and Miss Braddick. The loss of their' 1 aid in church matters was much regretted. The finances were not in as good condition as during tho past few years, owing to the fact that a considerable sum had been expended on the church, the vicarage and the grounds. Moreover the expenditure in other directions was gradually creeping up. The stipend had been increased, and provision had been made for regular attention to the grounds. Tho Harvey Wild bequest had not yet been expended. The Vestry had been considering the matter for some time, but it was difficult to come to a conclusion. However, it was expected that very shortly a decision would be made. The Memorial Window placed in the church by the Piper family to the glory of God and in memory of their son who lost his life fighting in France, was now complete, and would be dedicated in the course of the next few days. Thanks were extended to all church workers, and those who did 1 not feel called upon to take an active part hi church affairs, or who were so circumstanced that they could not/ do so were urged to give their best aid financially, and toy every encouragement possible'. The secretary to the hall committee presented the annual balance sheet and report. A substantial credit was shown in the accounts, and the report stated that the hall had held itis own during the year. The Education Board was still renting the hall for school purposes, and the building was taken good care of by the teachers and pupils. Mr G. Talbot had taken the place of Mr Piper on the committee and he had also been appointed secretary. Plans had been decided upon for the enlargement of tlie hall, and it was hoped that the extension would be put in hand during the summer months. The grounds round the hall needed attention ; some of the material for fencing was already in hand. After some discussion the stateme-ntls were adopted. The following vestry was then nominated for appointment by the Bishop:— Vicar's warden, Mr F. R. Gulmgham; peoples' warden, Mi" C. J. Talbot; vestrymen, Messrs H. Welsh, J. Braddick, A. Dorman.'W. Dorman, I. Battison, S. Braddick, H. Foden, W. Liddy, W. Buckley, ,G. Talbot and O. Several matters in connection with the work of the parish were gOrie into, and these. brought the business part of the. meeting to a conclusion. Supper was then provided by the members of the ladies' guild, and was' thoroughly enjoyed. The vicar "proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks to church workers in Fairlie, and in the outlying districts. He specially thanked_ the Sunday school teachers and guild workers, the verger, Mrs Braddick, the choirmaster Mr J. Braddick, and the assistant organist, Mrs C. J. Talbot. Miss Sadie Sherwin. had •Seen appointed permanent, organist, and she was entering into her work in a very whole hearred manner. It was difficult however, to pick out any for special mention, seeing that there were so many who rendered invaluable aid in different departments of church work.

DEDICATION SERVICE. On Sunday morning a memorial window placed m St. Stephen's Church by the members of the Piper family in memory of their son, Francis Rowland' Piper, whlo was killed in France in the late war, was dedicated by the Rev. C. li. Wilson;. In spite of the very wet morning there was a good attendance. _ Mr Piper and family made the trip from Geraldine by motor in order to be present. The service opened with -Ene National Anthem, and suitable hymns w,are sung during the communion office. The Vicar, Rev. 0.. L. Wilson, gave a fine address foundrd/ upon-the fact -that the beautiful window |ust dedicated had been placed in the church to the glory of God, and in of who had willingly), given his life in. the cause of righteous-' ness, and justice. The window is a fine example of workmanship in stained glass. It is placed in,the sotrfih side of the church, and consists of two ; panels representing "The True Vine," and '"Christ Blessing little Children." The window was made in Dunedin, and. waa placed in position by Messrs T. Foden„an£l Sop, Fairlie. '"'--..'

THE -WEATHER. During tlie past fortnight tlia Weather has been tmseasonably mild. It has been quite springlika iu ehlaracter, and there hag been an almost total absence of frost and fog. The crops and grass .were crowing under the influence of tihe extremely mild weather, an' 4 it was felt that it was too good to last. On Saturday afternoon, a change came, and _ mill commenced to fall. It continued throughout the night and all day Sun 1 day. There was not a sign of snots', however, and as tlie rain, was steady and gentle, almost every drop got into the soil. If it ends winout more Bnotv it will do an immense amount of good, as the Eoil_ requires to have a good deal of moisture stored in it at this time of the year, in order that vegetation may not suffer when tho warm weather sets in later on. During the past fortnight a good deal-of ploughing has heen done, particularly on Icm> 'land. Team work is well forward and stock is doing well. There bias 'Oeeri a steady flow of fats to the freezirig works right up to thie present, hut the supply is now practically exhaust' «d. The days are noticeably lengthening, and it is felt that even if bad weather come, 1 ? it cannot now" lost very long, . -T "