CHURCH REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1424, 26 April 1912, Page 6

CHURCH REPORTS.

ST. MARK'S PARISH. AXXUAL KKI'ORT. The animal report to be presented lo the parishioners of .St. .Mark's, Sussex Square, at the annual meeting on Monday cvcnunf next, reviews the events of the year, the resignation of the Kov. A. M. Johnson, 11.A., to take up the duties of vicar uf St. J'niil's, Wellington, and the tippoiulmpiit ol the Kev. Charles Frederick A-kcw. K.A., vicar of the parish of .'lngrow lu-ighloy, in the diocese of Kipon, J orkshire, us his successor. "During the Miort time -]><• has been with us," states the report, "Air. Askew has proved his capabilities, both n< nn organiser ami preacher, and the parish is to be congratulated on having secured such nn excellent vieir. One important feature of his ministry has been the inauguration of monthly services fur men. The parish was also most fortunate in being able to obtain the services of the l( C v. \\". I). S. Orclou as assistant curate, thus filling the vacancy caused bv the transfer of the Kev. (.'. E. OMI. Tobin to. the L'ongaroa district. Mr. Ogden was. formerly assistant curate lo Mr. Askew, and their hearty co-operation will thus continue to the benefit of the parish." The election •of the Uov. T. 11. Sprott, M.A., its Dislup of \Vellington in succession to Bishop Wallis, is the first occasion on which a Bishop was selected from the clergy cf the diocese, and they should all feel proud of the honour bestowed upon,a, member of tho local clergy. The attendance at St. Barnabas's Churchroom, Koseneath. has shown a great improvement since this portion.of tho parish, was placed under the care of Mr. Ogdcii, who has been most assiduous in carrying out his work. The organisations in this part of the parish are I in a very healthy state, and thanks are due to Mr. H. K. Morrison for his invaluable help in this connection. The finances of the parish may be considered satisfactory, and although the general offertories show a decreaso as compared with last year, the vestry has no misgiving as to the future. The decrease in seat, rents is slight, but this is accounted for by several parishioners having left the district. The school rents show an increase of XB. The amount now standing to the credit of the rebuilding fund has reached the sum of ,£'lM6, anil will automatically increase by about ,£SO a year. The vestry is of opinion that instead of adding to this fund by yearly grant from the churchwardens, the time has arrived when another assistant curate should be obtained to help in the vast amount of work necessary in this largo and important parish. The collections of the Missionary and Benevolent Society are about the same as last year, but the vestry considers that the amount contributed to this fund should bo at least doubled. Thanks are due to all the subscribers, to Mr. Chatwin, as secretary, and to the lady collectors. The place of Miss Martin, who has left the district, has been taken bv Mrs. Chotwin. A successful sale :.f vork for the support of the Parish Mission in November last realised .£"> ss. hi. The valuable work done in the parish by Sis-, tor' Constance, "who 'has fully justified her appointment as deaconess," is also noted. ■

Owing to the fact that the "Parish Magazine" has not heeri self-supporting, it has been decided tn change tlio inset, and'the "Dawn of Day", has been uvertod to. The vestry "has appointed a sub-committee to take over the management, and it is confidently anticipated that at least 500 subscribei'3 v.-ill bo secured.

Ju memory of the late Mrs. Coffcv, a brass mural tablet has been plajed in tlia Chancel, and a very haiKh-r.nw oak top procured for the font. The thanks of (lie vestry me due to the Sunday School teachers, members of the choir, tho various Parish societies and guilds, and all otljers who have dono so much during the year to assist, in carrying on the work of tho parish. ST. AUGUSTINE , ,?, PETONE. Tho annual meeting of tho parishioners of St. Augustine's was held in the Victoria Street Hall on Tuesday evening, when there was an attendance of upwards of one hundred and fifty. The Kev. B. Slephenson occupied the chair. The vestry's report and financial statement showed that, owing to the liberal support and assistance of parishioners, all liabilities have been met, with' the exception of a few pounds. Tho vestry desired to place on record their thanks for tho services rendered by ltev. S. Hobday, Mr. Walton, and the lay readers during the interval that elapsed between the departure of the Kev. .Mr. Kussell and the arrival of the present vicar. According to the statement of accounts presented, (ho year started with a debit balance of ,£G9 7s. Id., and closed with liabilities amounting to £"<j 19s. Gd., nn increaso of ,£7 12s. 4d., the increase being largely duo to improvements done to the vicarage. ]{eceipts amounted to MM is. lid., and tho expenditure to .£5lO ss. Bd., leaving a deficiency of £W os. 9d. Tho hall receipts totalled .£92 95., lenving a credit balance of JESI 45., a position that was considered most satisfactory. Tho report concluded by stating that the corner of the financial troubles had been turned, and it now only remained for parishioners to be loyal. The vicar, in his report reviewed the work dono during the year, which lind been most successful. He

thanked the parishioners for their lirarly support and co-operation. Largely through the success of the bazaar .£SO had been pniil off the church fund, ami .£SO off the hall fund. During the year boys' and girls' hockey clubs hnd been formed, and a ladies' croquet club. Both reports were adopted. Officers were elected as follows:—Ticnr's churchwarden, Mr. J. G. Castle; parishioners* churchwarden, Hγ. H. IT. Johnson; vestry. Messrs. "Forster, Falder, Hill. C. and W. Andrews, Matthews, and Alirnhall; auditors, Messrs. Curtis mid Godilard. ■ After the meeting refreshments were handed round by the ladies.