PORANGAHAU PARISH

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 25, Issue 11, 1 November 1935, Page 5

PORANGAHAU PARISH

(Rev. W. S. G. Cameron, Vicar.)

A very wet day greatly affected the attendance at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners. We appreciated, however, the attendance of those who did brave the weather, and are also grateful to the members of the Ladies' Guild who dispensed afternoon tea. The Vicar's report showed that the Communicant life of the Parish had been maintained, m some districts increased, and that services had been extended to Ti Tree and Wilder Settlement. Sunday Schools. — The Sunday School had continued to do good work # with the exception of Porangahau, which* owing to Mrs. Cameron's accident and the departure of the remaining teachers, Mrs. Breed and Miss H. Cameron, from the district, had had to be closed down temporarily. Membership of the Mail Bag Sunday School was increasing, and grateful acknowledgement was made of the services of Mr. A. B. Harper, Hastings, and *nis staff of teachers. Advantage was also being taken of the Lone

Members' branch of the N.Z. Anglican Girls' Bible Class Union. Confirmation classes were being held m three centres and were later to be extended to Ti Tree and Weber districts. Missions. — The Missionary Quota of £45 had been forwarded, although the full amount had not been m hand at the time, nearly £8 being advanced "m faith." (This advance has since been repaid, thanks very largely to a donation of £5 from an anonymous giver, which we hereby gratefully acknowledge.) A special vote of appreciation was extended to the Missions Secretary, Miss P. White. St. Michael's Ladies' Guild.—Excellent help and support had been given by the Guild throughout the year, and they were complimented on the success of their main effort last November, which had exceeded all their previous functions. November 2nd had been fixed for their "Flower Show and Sale of Work" this year. State Schools. — Appreciation was extended to Headmasters, Commissioners and School Committees for their co-operation m the matter of Religious Instruction during school hours. Church Army. — Capt. V. Kernick held Missions at Weber, Wimbledon and Porangahau m February last. These had been appreciated and of much help. Young Communicants' Guild, and study and discussion circle continues to meet at Wallingford Station, and the interest was maintained. The books, "How we got our Bible" and "How to Read the Bible" were studied during the year, and papers read by the members. For this year the series of Missionary studies is also being undertaken. Bandages and children's magazines are being forwarded to the Melanesian Mission. Social Evenings had been continued fortnightly at Porangahau, and, though finance was not their object, they had been able to assist Parish funds and the Missionary Quota. Deep Sympathy was extended to the wife and family of the late Robert James Sidwell, Porangahau, who had been so closely associated with the early life and development of the district. Welcome. — New parishioners were welcomed and regret expressed at the departure of parishioners from

the Parish. (These have already been noted m the Gazette.) Finance. — Fewer efforts had been made to supplement the usual channels of finance, but the overdraft had been further reduced by nearly £60. (The meeting decided upon a stock drive, early next year, for the liquidating of the balance, about £95.) Appreciative mention was made of the dances at Wallingford and Herbertville, which had assisted Church funds considerably, as already reported on. The report concluded with grateful acknowledgement of the valued services of all Church workers, especially Wardens, Vestry, Lay Readers, S.B. teachers, Organists and Guilds, and of the monetary assistance given by all contributors to Church funds at home and abroad. Officers for the Ensuing Year. — Vicar's Warden, Mr. J. D. Ormond; People's Warden and treasurer: Mr. G. M. Sargisson; Vestry: Mesdames P. Herrick, T. Hobson, T. P. Hunter, H. Pope; Messrs F. Herrick, A. W. S. Longley, A. Morgans, H. E. Wall, R. St. Hill Warren, and R. P. Wilder (secretary and Synodsman); lifemember: Mrs. Taul Hunter; Weber representatives: Miss Palmer and Mr. L. G. Grosse; Mangaorapa representative: Mr. T. Hope. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Vicar and Mrs. Cameron, and all Church workers, and the meeting dosed with the singing of the Doxology. A Vestry meeting was held afterwards. On Sunday, August 4th, the Right Reverend the Bishop of the Diocese administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to R. J. Gamble, N. F. Beamsley, R. Brightwell, W. E. G. Morgans, K. W. F. Cameron, B. P. Fallahee, and C. D. H. D. B. Beamsley. The confirmers were much helped by the Bishop's instructions and advice, and the presence of a well attended and reverent congregation. Another confirmation is to be held m the near future at All Saints, Weber; classes being now under way. Mrs. Ormond again kindly organised a children's fancy dress dance m the Wallingford woolshed, on September 6th, which proved to be well up to the standard of other years, and netted about £20. Such assistance is very much appreciated.

(We regret that this report did not appear last month, owing to its lateness m arrival. — Ed.)