CHURCH PROGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21100, 30 April 1940, Page 9

CHURCH PROGRESS

CATHEDRAL PARISH DEAN’S ANNUAL REPORT MOBILE HOSPITAL GIVEN The progress of Church matters during the year despite the anxiety and tension brought about by war was indicated by the Dean, the Very Rev. T. P. Weatherhog, in his report to the annual meeting of parishioners of St. Feter’s Cathedral Parish in St. Peter’s Hall last night. Indications were not lacking, said the Dean, that the Church in the pdrish had moved forward and had revealed on more than one occasion a truly splendid spirit. The dean said he would like to place on record the extraordinary friendly spirit which had been manifested by every official and Church worker in the Cathedral district. He had been immensely impressed by the instant and generous response by Church people to his appeal for blankets to send to the victims of the war in China. Mobile Hospital “At the outbreak of the present war,” continued the dean, “I submitted that Christian people would desire to be in the vanguard of every movement to alleviate the suffering which war inevitably brings; and, as a gesture, suggested that the Cathedral district should provide a mobile hospital. This met with an immediate result, and within a week we had the necessary material and money. “Lectures in first aid and home nursing were arranged each week. These were well attended and the results of the examination in first aid were exceptionally good. I wish to thank Dr. Cook and Sister Johnson for their lectures, and all who studied to qualify themselves for a noble service.”

The chapter elected last year was a most disinterested and businesslike body. Every matter which had been brought before it had been subjected to the most searching and candid criticism. Opinions had differed widely on occasions, but criticisms and differences had never, to his knowledge, been carried beyond the committee, and the result had been effective team work and a more united Church. Increase in Stipend The chapter had carried into effect the opinions expressed at the annual meeting by increasing the stipend attached to the position of dean and increasing the allowance towards the cost of travelling.. After investigating the loss on the two parish halls the previous year, the rental of the Hamilton East Hall was increased and St. Peter’s Hall leased to a local organisation. This action had resulted in a profit on St. Peter’s Hall of £4B against a loss of £l7 last year and a profit for the Hamilton East Hall of £l7 against a loss of £l. With the regular services conducted by Mr T. E. Goble at Hamilton East a small congregation had been established and this had been built up and consolidated more recently by the ministrations of the Rev. E. Chard. The congregations at Gordonton and Matangi had been maintained and religious instruction provided regularly for the children. Financial Position “You will note from the balancesheet that apart from the cost of restoring the Deanery, which might have been financed by a special overdraft as similar expenditures have been in the past, you have met the increase in stipend, extra travelling allowance and the honorarium to the assistant priest. On the actual working, there is a balance of £9 6s 4d for the year. “The position is even better for, in addition, the St. Peter’s Ladies’ Guild has donated from last year’s ‘sale of work’ the sum of £IOO towards the honorarium of the assistant priest. As this, unfortunately,

was donated after March 31, it does not appear in the revenue and expenditure account. When this has been handed over, with the £l2 10s already paid in, the incoming Chap-

ter will commence the year with a small credit balance and a deanery placed in proper condition.” “Special collections amounted to £74 18s this year as against £ll 12s last year—an increase of £63, and the cathedral offertories have increased from £217 last year to £307 14s lid this year.” In all three out-centres—Gordon-ton, Matangi and Hamilton East, the ■wardens and committees have worked in closest co-operation with the Chapter and have contributed £3O more than last year to the central funds.