ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH.

Wairarapa Age, 29 April 1927, Page 5

ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH.

ANNUAL MEETING. A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR The annual meeting of parishioners of fSt. Matthew’s Parish was held last evening. The Rev. AV. Bullock presided over a good attendance. The Churchwarden's report, read by Mr. L. B. Maunsell, stated that the total collections at St. Matthew’s Church for the year amounted to £696 Ils 6d, of which £494 16s 7d was for the general expenses of the parish. This fell short of last year’s collections by £l4 in the total, and £36 in the parish monies. Another secretary for the freewill offering scheme or the duplex system of church finance was required, which the new vestry would have to consider. The annual subscriptions for the year amounted to over £4OO with the inclusion of the curate fund, a result for which they were largely indebted to the painstaking work of the finance suib-committee, Mrs. H. H. Beetham and the Misses Vallance and Katie Morrison. It was necessary to again remind parishioners that the only income for general purposes was from collections and subscriptions. The adverse balance on the general fund was £l5l 16s Bd. A policy of strict economy for the coming year was recommended though there were urgent repairs needed at the vicarage. Certain improvements as recommended last year were carried out. Through the work of the Ladies’ Guild and thz Giris' Club the Parish Hall Fund debt was reduced by £lOO. The fund had done very well. Congratulations were extended to the committee of the Church of the Epiphany o-n the year of successful work. £lO5 had been paid into the curate fund. Regarding the Melanesian Mission, the parish assessment was £l5O, of which £llO had been collected by March 31. About £2O had come in since leaving a further £2O to collect by June 30. Appreciation of the generous, beguest of £lOOO by Miss Mayo was recorded. A wish was expressed by Miss Mayo that this money should be spent on the internal structure of the church, and chiefly for the beautifying of the chancel. The vicar and churchwardens, who are responsible for this expenditure, have in mind a scheme fof carrying out her wish in that direction. The church building fund together with the war memorial fund now exceeded £2500. It was thought that the time had come for the parishioners to consider the advisability or otherwise of proceeding with th'e completion of the chapel and the vestry at the east end of the church. They could again congratulate themselves on the completion of a year of progress. The hard-worked vicar had carried on the duties of the parish for the last three months without the help of his assistant curate. Mr. Harper, as organist and lay reader, had done good service, ably carrving ont the duties that fell to his share. All would be pleased to join in thanking Mrs. Bulloek for her splendid work in all church undertakings. The vicar, the Rev. W. Bulloek, in his annual report, outlined the church activities during the past year, and expressed thanks to all helpers “for a year of very happy and successful work together.”

Tftie report and balance sheet, which showed a debit balance of £l5l 16s Bd, were adopted.

Referring to the finances, upon which some discussion ensued, Mr. T. T. Denbee said the Vestry were doing their utmost to keep down the expenses. An 'assured income of £lOOO a year was required. They-knew that there were a lot. of things wanted, but they could not get the finances necessary. They had done their best, but they could not make 15s do what £1 was required to do. The chairman said they should keep in mind the large amount of improvements effected to the grounds and buildings during the past five years. In the future they would have in the way of back debt to meet. A sum of £lOO, said the chairman, had been paid off the Parish Hall mortgage during the past year. Ofiieers were elected as follows:— Veiear’s Warden, Mr. L. B. Maunsell; Parishioners’ Warden, Dr. Archer Hosking; Vestry, Messrs. S. W. Smith, W. Penistone, H. F. Green, E. H. Morton, E. Hale, G. Hyde, T. T. Denbee, J. A. Russell, J. Ninnes, D. Herbert; hon. secretary, Mr. T. T. Denbee (re-elect-ed). A motion of thanks was passed to the retiring honorary auditors, Messrs. G. W. 'Sellar and H. M. Boddington, who were re-appointed for the ensuing year. ST. MARK’S CHURCH. ANNUAL MEETING OF The Rev. W. Raine presided over the annual meeting of parishioners of St. M ark’a Church, Carterton, which was held last evening. There was a good attendance. -• The report and balance-sheet showed that the parish had had a successful year, and special thanks were tbccorded all who had helped with church work during the year. The election of officers resulted as follows: Vicar’s Warden, Mr F. Court; People’s Warden, Mr L. J. Harding; Vestry, Messrs P. Edwards, P. A. Cole, W. Howard Booth, Robinson, C. Savill, J. Court, G. Reading, W. Thomas, W. Sorenson and H. Deller; auditor, Mr N. Armstrong. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr A. S. Stubbs, the retiring auditor. It was decided that a special meeting of parishioners be called to consider the duplex system of church finance.