ARAMOHO-WAITOTARA PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12452, 1 May 1908, Page 7

ARAMOHO-WAITOTARA PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

The annual meeting: of parishioners was held at St. Lawrence Church, Aramoho, last night. There was a representative attendance. Thp Vicar, the Rev. H. Watson, presided. The annual report for the year ending March 31st, 1908, was read as follows: — >

Throughout the year regular services have been held at the eleven centres named in the accompanying balance-sheet, virile religious instruction has been given in the Aramoho, Waitotara, Maxwehtown and Kai Iwi State Schools, the attendance at these lessons being particularly good in the country. Mr Raine, who has worked faithfully for two years as Lay Evangelist, left the district in February lor a years study at St. John's College, Auckland. We welcome, in his place, Mr A. G. Heron. The Bishop of Wellington administered the rite of confirmation at Waitotara on December 6th, when twelve candidates were presented. The district is in the happy position of being free from debt. Through the generous gift of i>so from Mr D. Harding, of Aramohoj the debt on St. -uawrence Church has been paid off. Great efforts have been made for the vicarage fund which has now reached the sum of .£ll2 16s lOd. We desire to thank the lay readers throughout the district, and of Christ Church Parish, for their valuable help, also the various Church officers at the different centres, the organists, choirs, collectors, and Sunday School teachers, also the ladies' sewing guilds, that have worked so energetically throughout the year. The balance-sheet showed receipts from all sources of JJ595 17s 3d. The expenditure showed a balance of .£5 8s 7d on the district account, £2 5s 6d on the painting fund. for the Waitotara churchroom, and .£ll2 16s lOd. to the Aramoho vicarage fund. During the year the debt on the St. Lawrence Church had >"en extinguished, and owing to the liberality of Mr D. Harding the district is thus in the position of being entirely iree from debt.

The Vicar nominated Mr. W. D. Anderson as his warden. Mr. J. Scott was unanimously elected peoples' warden. The following gentlemen were elected to serve on the vestry: — Messrs A. Whibley, C. Ellis, L. S. Weller, F. Randal, L. S. Davis, A. Schaw, G. Godfrey. Ikfr L. S. Weller was elected synodsman. Mr. W. H. Cunningham was re-elected auditor. A committee was appointed to conduct the flower show in connection with the ■nnual sale of work, consisting of Mrs Cave, Mrs Anderson, Miss Darley, and Messrs L. Weller, A. Whibley, and F. Randal. Tlie meeting recommended the incoming vestry to take immediate steps to secure a site for the Aramoho Vicarage. Mr. W. D. Anderson on behalf of the parishioners made suitable expressions of regret on the coming departure of the Vicar, who will leave for his new sphere of work at Masterton early in June.