ST. JOHN’S CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17945, 2 May 1928, Page 2

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH.

- ANNUAL MEETING. 3 1 The annual meeting of of Sc. John’s Church. Higbfield, was held last evening, the Rev. H. W. 1 Monaghan presiding over a small at- ! tendance. I i ANNUAL REPORT, t The annual report stated that the Sunday School had been ably conducted by Miss Hurst and her loyal band of teachers, who continued to do excellent work The year commenced with a roil of 113, and stood at 120 at the close of 1927. The average attendance had been well maintained. During the year two children's socials were held, also ai special prize giving. Reference was made to the services of the choir. The organist, Mr H. S. Moore, continued to do excellent work, ,<iso Sirs Shii;tclifF and Mrs Buchaniii, iho assisted temporarily. Due to thf generosity of some members of the con gradation, during the year cassocks and • surplices weve provided for the in.vs at a cost of £l6 8s 6d, the amount actually donated was £lo, which appenre.l in last year’s accounts. It was only possible to hold two entertainments during the year, which yielded £6 10s 6d. The Tennis Club is defunct, and the courts have consequently become somewhat neglected. Members of the Council had given up their time n» tidjdng up grounds occasionally, and again lack of funds prevent, them from ( making ai satisfactory job. . However, the flower bed and grass on the west side had been kept in order. Mr W. N. Ward has ioined the council during the year. The present members had given much time and effort, but are hampered through lack of funds. The council is glad to have the co-operation of Rev. J. A. Wilson, a worthy successor to Mr Geraixl. On the motion of Mr T. C. Palliset. the report was adopted. •The secretary read the report of the Ladies’ Guild.' This report,was a comprehensive one. i Ihe report was adopted. ■ FINANCE. . '.

The statement of receipts and expenditure • fot the year ended March 31, 1928, showed' a satisfactory position, and was adopted without discussion.. iW chairman, in his statement, said he was not able, unfortunately, to re r port fully on the work of the church | diiring 'tlie'year, most of Tiis time being taken up at St. Mary’s. He spoke, in I glowing terms of the work done by the | Rev. J. A, Wilson. To Miss Hurst and Sunday School teachers credit was also due, for 'their efforts to . place Sunday School work on a new level; ', A matter of much importance, said Mr Monaghan, was the furthering of the envelope 1 system. Ho hoped the Council would [ make an effort to ..enlist tlie assistance [of every parishioner in this system. Speaking with regard to the church grounds, Mr Monaghan thought they j required attention. The te'nms courts | were in a bad state and in the interests of the younger people, they should be kept in a good state of.repair. He licked the Ladies’ Guilds would, again wort with the Council, in the interests of the church. In conclusion, Mr Monaghan thanked the Council' for the work they had done during the year. '

GENERAL. The question of the future of the tennis courts was then discussed. The chairman thought they should not be allowed to become defunct altogether. They had a good covering of grass.. . ,' ,' Mr Pal User said it took two- halt davs, sometimes three, to keep the courts in order. Wet weather and dew militated against good playing on grass courts, .with the results that a good number of members had joined other clubs. . The chairman said he came from- a district, Taranaki, where they had more rain than at Timaru, and the majority of courts there were grass-. _ Mi’ Palliser pointed out that tnei heavy sub-soil on, the courts was tho trouble- The water lay on the ground. The matter was further discussed, and it was finally decided that it be a recr-mwe’Mation to the next Council meeting that tliev form a working bee, as soon as possible, to put the courts in suitable repair before the winter, and then leave them till next soring. The general appearance of the churchgrounds conld also be attended to. Mr H. W. Lom-as was annointed as the Council’s nominee on St Mary’s vestrv. At this stage, in view of the small attendance, tlie meeting was adjourned till May 8.