ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

West Coast Times, Issue 2986, 3 May 1875, Page 2

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

The annual reports of the Vestry, School Committees, Church Extension Association, and the various parochial accounts have been placed before the congregation of All Saints' Church. The following are some extracts from the reports, the first of which is by the Yen Archdeacon Harper :— "It will be seen by reference to the Churchwarden's report that the financial position of the Church is satisfactory although the past year has been a period of general depression in the district. Many of the old resident Church people have also left, and this to some extent has affected the attendance in Church. However, I am glad to be able to say that the average attendance is still good, and I think our population is still large enough to afford a larger average attendance than hitherto reached,

" During the past year there have been 90 baptisms ; 14 marriages ; average attendance at Holy Communion (every fortnight), 26£ ; daily morning services in Advent, Lent, and Holy Week, were well attended, There have been the usual

fortnightly services aj; St Andrew's, Kanieri, and services at the Gaol and Lunatic Asylum.

" Wehave to regret the departure of several active members of the Church, who-have long been resident here and have done much to promote its welfare.

'> We have had no visit - from the Bishop o( the Diocese this year, but may expect one during the ensuing year, when in a)l probability a Confirmation will be held.

"J have to tender my thanks to. the Churchwardens, Vestry, and the Church officers, for the energy and zeal shewn by them in their work, which has mainf/sied the Church in so satisfactory a financial position in spite of dull times, and in many other ways has contributed to its well being. The evident interest shewn by the laity in work of the Church ia tb me, personally, a most encouraging sign, and may be taken, I think, as reason for hoping, that .with God's blessing, we may be able to cjain further ground in th* coming year."

The Acting - Superintendent of the Sunday School, Mr F. Worsley, reports: —

"During the past year the average attendance has been 170. There are 230 children on the roll— a considerable number of scholars have left the district of late. There are twenty-three teachers eugaged in the work, who are active and earnest in giving their time and attention to it. _ Several of our teachers, who have been in the school for a long time, have left the district, and it has been somewhat difficult to replace them, and to make up for the loss of their experience and zeal in, tbe cause. Mrs Palmer, Miss Baddockr Messrs Bathatn, Morshead, and Fostee have left and ibr six mouths thschool has been deprived of the valus able aid of Mr Browning who ha been absent on business. A considerable supply of new books has beeu added to the library, it is in contemplation to obtain more at on early date."

Archdeacon Harper, as Chairman o( the School Committee of All Saints' Day School, states :-—

" The buildiugs are in good order and repair, and there Is no debt dii tihcseaosbl. The average daily attendance from Easter to Waster has been 80 boys-; • 59----grrls7 total 139. There are 163 pupils on the roll. The attendance is not so large as could be desired, but there has been much sickness prevalent amongst children since Christmas, and inability to pay fees is often urged as a reason fdr irregfjljfr attendance. Moreover, since. December no Government grant has ' been received, and nothing has been done by the Education Board either to subsidise the existing schools, or to supply a cheaper system of Education. Tbe lapse of the Government erant T jhas been a considerable Toss' to the"' mjjstp and the mistress. During the year lectures were delivered on behalf of the school by the Rev. H. Gilbert aud the Rev. W. Stack, which realised a fair profit,- -and which, with the aid of other. conj;ribution§, enabled' the Committee to han£ some prizes fo^.the'C.hjjftmagjs^amin^imi. 1 It will be seen^by,the accounts that thu Annual Parishfa^^to(^?gilival ; WW& tended by a^verj largo" number,- of pereon££ anil was quite successful." Mr Alfred Atkinson, as honorary secre; k tary.-^i treasurer to. the ChurchjExten^joh Association, says : — ' JJ * "In presenting. the third Jeport.qf. the j j Diocesian Church Work Extension As- i sociation for the district of Hokitika, I have to inform you that there has been a falling off in the number of subscribers, most of whom, however, have left the district. The total amount .collected in the past year was £65 Is 9d., as against £84 16s. for the previous year. The amount j forwarded to Christchurch has been -£64 | against £75 for the year before. The Association is in need of fresh collectors to "supply the places of those who have left the district; with the aid of fresh collectors there ia little doubt of its being able- to extend its operations considerably. The funds collected are administered by the Central Committee in Chriatchurch, together with other contributions from all parts of the Diocese, for the benefit 'of districts and parishes which are not able to support themselves. Westland at present receives from the Central Committee, at the rate of £50 per annum, and, I believe, it is in . contemplation to increase this grant." " The Churchwardens and Vestry of All Saints' Church have submitted the accounts, from which it appears that the revenue of the Church from offertories has reached almost the same as last year. This sum together with the sum paid for sitting is nearly enough to meet the current expenses of the Church. The number of sittings taken is the same as in the previous year. A further sum of £98 3s. 6d. raised by subscription, &c, for other purposes, viz., a liability due to the Building Committee of the previous year; introduction of gas into the Church ; repairs to the foundation of the Church, and lining for the Vestry. There is. still a liability on the Church of £60 10s 7d, in addition to this it is necessary to re-shingle part of the roof, and paint the whole building. Improvements are also urgently needed in fencing a portion of the Church reserve, levelling, and filling up some of the approaches to the Church, The Churchwardens and Vestry venture to think that sufficient funds can be raised for these purposes, and desire to impress on the parishioners the need of liberal contribui tions."

There arc two items in the statement of receipts and expenditure of All Saints' School which are worthy of notice. They are these: — ''August 17, 1£74, donation, Mr Harper, £5." "February 5, 1875, Mr Harper, donation, £20."