ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 95, 24 April 1911, Page 8

ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH.

In its annual report, the vestry of St. Augustine's Church, Petone, indicate that the total receipts have been J-JI2V less than in the previous year. The 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 the district had to support two clergymen i'or the greater part of the year, entailing the expenditure of £130 above the amount the parish, was accustimed to raise for stipends in the past. In referring to the coming departure for Oamaru of the Rev. J. D. Russell, highly appreciative reference is made to his valuable services as vicar, also to the work done by MrsJ Russell. The parish also suffered loss by the removal of Mr/ J . H. Sherwin and his family, luid was about to lose the services of Messrs. Lee and Snell. two other prominent Church workers. The vestry expi esses -the opinion that at the present time the parish can support only one clergyman.' A hearty welcome is extended to the Rev. Stephenson.. who is to succeed Mr. Russell.

The following official statement was issued fiom the Federal Treasury on the 12th inst., in relation to the granting of imalid pension*, to blind persons : — "The Prime Minister has directed that the new system of granting pensions to blind persons shall be adopted. Hitherto, if a blind person claimed a pension, and there wa-s reason to believe that a course of instruction in an asylum would enable him to eav_n a living, the pension was refused. In future blind persons will receive pensions, even . though capable of learning a trade, and blind persons, even who aie earning a few shillings a week, will have pensions granted to them within the limits of 10s in each case, to bring their total earnings up to £1 per week. Some details have to be settled before instructions are issued. In many cases pensions can be legally granted by the commissioner. The Act requires that 1 a successful claimant shall be perman ently incapacitated for work. In future allowances will be paid to persons who do not come within the interpretation adopted by the commissioner as permanently incapacitated. Tn such caseSj until a-n amendment of the Jaw is obtained, the Treasurer will pay the allowances, not out of the pension fund, ! but out of the Treasurer's advance. ," It is Mr. Fisher's opinion that the blind should learn trades, and the Pensions Department will assist them so far as it can. A daring case of highway Jobbery occurred in Khyber Pass. Auckland, last week. A man namel Foley, well known as a seller of race-cards, was I proceeding home along the thoroughfare I mentioned when he was set on by two young fellows, who demanded his money. Foley was piv'v roughly handled, receiving a bl.i -. fl ' and other injuries, I but on eniptir hi* trousers pockets, i which only ( ' ii rl 4s Id. his assail anU took ~7r ,\\ icney and decamped. Foitua • i . Foley. says the Star, they fj'.' *— risk it necessary to search him. toi 111 tin inside vest pocket 1 he had a sim 5* S15 a