ST. PAUL'S PARISH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2446, 27 April 1915, Page 7

ST. PAUL'S PARISH

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral was held in tlie Sydney Street Schoolroom last night. The vicar, the Rev. A. M. Johnson, presided, and there was a good attendance, including many ladies. The clergyman's warden; Mr. E. H. Anderson, read the churchwardens' report which paid a hearty tribute to. the good work of the Rev. C. H. Harvey during the vicar's absence in England; also to the loss the parish sustained by the removal of the Rev. N. _S. Barrett to Patea. The offertories, notwithstanding the war, had shown a substantial increase. Special expenditure was incurred in improving the drainage of the grounds, repainting and repairs amounting in all to about_ £180. A new water engine had been installed. The wardens emphasised the need of constant and regular contributions to church expenses. The vestry had dccided not to renew the curate fund, but to pay the second clergyman out of ordinary revenue. They paid a graceful tribute to the memory of the late James Stephens, for 'many years a member of St. Paul's choir. The •.balance-sheet 'shawed 'a'debit balance of £88 7s. 6d.

The Vicar, in thanking the porkers of the parish, said he had arranged his visit to England last year in order' to try this year to organise some worthy method of celebrating the jubilee of the present Pro-Cathedral in 1916. War prevented that at present, but it must be born© in mind thero were signs of progress on all sides, but there was inucii yet to be done—the first duty— the getting rid of the incubus of debts on the .parish. following were elected officers for 1315-16 Churchwardens, Messrs. &. H. Anderson and R. B. Rjgjr ; vestrymen. Professor Easterfield, Messrs G G.i Bridges, K. S. Farmer, S. Firminger. T. W. A. Marchant. H. T. L Machu, T. W. Stacs, L. Stowe, G. Shirtchffe, J. D. G. Tripe; auditors. Messrs. 0. P.- Powles and G. R. N. Wright. TCie meeting c l o ' se d with the 'Benediction and National Anthem.