THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 4

THE CHURCHES.

ST. MARK'S CHURCH. • The annual mooting of parishioners of St. Mark's Anglican Church was held in the schoolroom, Sussex Square, last night, the vicar (Rev. A. M. Johnston) presiding. There was a fair attendance.

The annual report and balance-sheet (previously published) were read and adopted.

The following officers were elected: — Clergyman's churchwarden, Mr. 11. E. Rawiisloy; parishioners' churchwarden, Mr. T. W. i'ilehcr; vestrvnien, Messrs. :(J. \V. Barltrop, J. Besant, C. B. Burdekin, F. J. Caterer, C. H. Chatwin, W. H. Hueston, H. W. Pilcher, E. J. Hylton, It: E. Ban-nsley, and E. W. ■Morgan; Parish Trust Board, Rev. A. If. Johnson, M.A., Messrs. W. J. Hueston, and G. W. Barltrop; synodsmen, Messrs. W. J. Hueston, Geo. Sliirtcliffe, and W. G. Gaudin; nominators, Messrs. W. J. Gaudin, W. J. Huestou, and R. E. Rawnsley; auditors, Messrs. H. D. Vickery and A. L. Goldfinch.

It was resolved to devote £100 of the Parish Trust Board fund towards improving the church.

ST. AUCUSTINE'S, PETONE. In their annual report to be presented at tho meeting to-night the vestry ,of St. Augustine's Church, Petone, indicate that tho total receipts have.been £127 less than in the previous year. This year commenced with an excess of assets over liabilities of £38, but ended with an excess of liabilities over assets of £54. Many causes have contributed to .this, chief being that tho district had 'to support two clergymen for tho greater part of the year, entailing the expenditure of £130 above tho amount tho parish was accustomed to raise for. stipends in tho past. In referring to tlio coming departure for Oamaru of the Rev. J. D. Russell, highly appreciative reference is made to his services as vicar, also to the work done by Mrs. Russell. Tlio parish also suffered loss by the removal of Mr. J. H. Sherwin and Ms family, and ' was about to lose the services of Messrs. Lee and Snell, two other prominent Church workers.

Tho vestry, express the opinion that at tho present time tho parish can support onljr one clergyman. A hearty welcomo is extended to the Rev. Stephenson, who is to succeed Mr. Russell.

PAROCHIAL DISTRICT OF PALMERSTON NORTH. The 'annual report of the churchwardens of the parochial district of Palnierston North for the year ended March 31 states:—. .. • The past year: has: .been'.'one of'tho most eventful in tho ' history' of tho parish. Followed by the heartiest good wishes for their welfare and keenest regret at their departure, the Vicar and Mrs. Harper left us tor work in Wellington 'in November. Consequently on his . removal '.it was thought expedient to recommend to tho Standing Committco that' tho Pohangina district should bo separated from I'allnerston. This was agreed to, and the Rev. A. W. Payne was appointed first vicar. Tin's necessitated his removal from Palmerston. During his short residence amongst us. he > had won ;■ our sincero respect and regard, arid wo were sorry to lose him. ■ .Tho .Rev. H; Watson accepted tho cure: of the parish, but after two months' consideration withdrew, and it was hot until December that the Bishop intimated that ho had appointed the Rev.'H. G. Rosher, vicar of Lillieshall, who could not arrive till April. In the meantimo tho Rev. S. Stephens. ;>Vap appointed as locum tenens for the two' months, and to him we are indebted for his ready assistance. We desiro particularly to thank the Rev. G. V. lvendrick, "who has filled a very difficult position with conspicuous ability and tact. With the arrival of the new vicar, the staff will still bo incomplete, Mr. G. Neligan, lay assistant, having left to enter St. John's College, Auckland. •Wo sincerely hope that the services of another clergyman will soon be available.

A diocesan spheme for the insurance of the clergy, entitling them to payment in case of accident or death,.having been instituted,' : advantage was taken of it to ensure its benefits to our own clergy, who are now relieved'from all anxieties on that score.

Our organist at All Saints', Mr. A. Drew, felt himself obliged to resign his appointment, but kindly consented to continue in charge until the end of April, in order that the wardens might have the advantage of tile advice and concurrence of the vicar in appointing his successor. Mr. Drew and all his family hayo given ungrudgingly of their best to the work of the church for twenty years, and tho congregation is much indebted to them for their long and devoted service.

We much rcgrot also the loss of Mr. John Webb, verger, who has left Palmorston after fourteen years of faithful service. Mr. G. Boys has been appointed in his place. ' The new church fund is steadily creeping up, and now stands at £2265' cash in hand, with promised subscriptions to come' in of £570, making a total of £2835. This is exclusive of the cost of clearing the . site, which amounted - to £400. ■ The greater strictness of tho rules now wisely enforced against overcrowding in public buildings, calls ou.urgent attention to the need of increased accommodation. Will not the parishioners unite in a steady, systematic effort to increase the "fund, so that by the end of the present year we may feel justified in proceeding with the building?

St. Peter's: The schoolroom was completed in May Inst at a cost of £307 7s lOd. Already £110 18s. 10d. has been raised b.y the Ladies' Guild towards its coat. We desire to thank tho members of tiie guild and their friends for their self-denying labours.

Finance: AVe have to report that owing to the fact that there has been no Easter Sunday within the financial year and one less of the. special offertories' and owing also to tho holding of the General Mission, our general offertories show a considerable increase. This is the more to be noted as for five months we have been without a vicar.

Vicar's Report: The past year has brought a great change to the parish in the departure of its old vicar, Archdeacon Harper, after 10* years' faithful and strenuous labour. I thank God for the good work done by my predecessor, and ask for your prayers that I may be enabled to carry on wisely tho work of Christ's Church in this'largo, and important parish. Wo are still one short on the stall, but I hope, now that I know the nature of the parish, to obtain additional help later. There are at present six Sunday schools with 550 scholars and 42 teachers. Tho division of tho parish has left us with only 10 lay readers. Messrs. Neligan, Humphreys and Mason have left Palmerston, and there have-been no additions clurinf the past year. Wo badly need more lay readers. Who will volunteer for this most important work for Christ and His Church? I hope in the near future to revive our Lay Readers' Parochial Association, with regular times of meeting. Baptisms: Infants, 101; adults, !); total, 170. Marriages, 34. Burials 66. Number confirmed, 80. Largely as an outcome of the mission tho number of attendances at Holy Communion shows a substantial increase.

ST. MATTHEW'S, MASTERTON,

In their annual report to the parishioners of St. Matthew's Anglican Parish, Masterton, the churchwardens and vestry state: — The total revenue for the year, excluding the new church fund, is £951 os. 4d., the expenditure being £907 10s. 9d.j that is, the receipts exceed

the expenditure by £43 14s. 9d., bringing the bank overdraft, including outstanding cheques, down to £6!) bs. 7d. Ordinary offertories have increased by. £117 45., and special oil'ertories show a decrease of £]U Is. lid. With reference to the proposal.to build a churchroom at Kuripuni, as mentioned in the last annual report, though not jot accomplished, matters 'have so far progressed that your vestry have agreed to purchase a site at tho corner of Short Street and High Street, and, thanks to the energy and efforts of the ladies of Kuripuni, there is now in tiio Post Office Savings Bank' a sum of £28 14s. towards the erection of a building. It is very desirable that this work be carried to completion during the coming year. Matters regarding the new church fund are'progressing very satisfactorily as-'will be seen from the balance-sheet and report issued by Mr. J. L. Murray, the lion, secretary and treasurer for this fund. Practically all tho money required to start building is, either promised or in hand, and your vestry in December last decided to call for competitive designs for tho new building, designs to be lodged with the secretary on February 28. It was most unfortunate that at the last moment tho New Zealand Institute of Architects issued a circular to their members forbidding them to compete, the result being that only 13 designs were submitted, none of which were, in the opinion of your vestry and their assessor, Mr.. Chaflcsworth; suitable. It was, however, necessary to select a first and second design, and pay the premiums offered in accordance with the conditions of the competitions. It will now bo necessary for an architect to be appointed. This will be one of tho first duties of the incoming vestry. The action of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in interfering with competition at such a late stage t.as lost the vestry not less than £100. • The rents from Queen Street property that are carmarked for the new church fund, which amount at present to £210 per annum, have paid off the debt on tho site for tho new-'church, leaving a credit balance of £19 16s. lid. Tho revenuo from this source will be paid in year by year to the new church fund. Towards tho close of the year the vestry decided to enlarge and alter the vicarage. • Plans were drawn by Messrs. Yarnham and Rose, and a special meeting of. parishioners was called to sanction tlie expenditure. It was decided to spend the sum of £600 on the work, and we are very thankful to state that in a very short time half that amount was promised The work is now almost completed. The vicar was during the year appointed to the parochial district of Palmerston North. The vestry feel that tho parish is to be congratulated on the fact that Mr. Watson derided that his duty called him to remain at St. Matthew's, even at tho sacrifice of personal advancement. It is trusted that the parishioners will shou- their appreciation of the vicar's decision by loyally supporting him and helping on tho work of tho parish to which ho is so earnestly devoted. The thanks of the vestry and parishioners are also due to Rev.. W. Raine, who has so ably assisted tho vicar in tho services in the church and tho general work of the parish. . Tho vestry regret the resignation of Mr. Berry, who.did good work in -the Sunday school and out-districts. In conclusion, the churchwardens and vestry feel that tho year has been one of solid progress, tho result of earnest and unselfish devotion on tho part of all connected with various organisations of the 'church, to whom the grateful thanks of the vestry and parish aro due. They feel that; the coming year, under similar conditions, will, with God's blessing, be one. of continued progress and widening of tho influence for good in tho parish of St. Matthew.

The,scat register report for the states.that the seating; accommodation during tho year has been taxed to its utmost. The want of more accommodation is becoming more and more evident. Pew rents for the year woro £248 135., an increase of £25 4s. od.

New Church Building Fund.—The small balanco yet to be obtained before Mr. Maunsell's donation of £1000 can be claimed will, it is hoped, ?jo obtained within the next few weeks.