Presbyterian Tea and Annual Meeting

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 112, 15 March 1890, Page 3

Presbyterian Tea and Annual Meeting

This gathering, which took place in the ; Presbyfceri&a Church on Wednesday even- { ing last, is so invariably a successful one < -that it is difficult to adequately describe < *he picture of the tables, as set forth by ■ the lady members, of the church. Among the ladies were Mesdames Watts, Bartholomew, Lethbridge, Cooihbe, Munro, ( • Stevens, McLeod, Whisker, Curtis, Eade ' and Shearer and a host of pretty Misses. TThe walls and chandeliers were decked in ' ferns and -wild flowers,- mostly of the ■" lace bark," formings a lovely white setting to the feast, which, as on a previous . occasion we said, could only be described as a sumptuous banquet.. About two hundred were present. With an hour's respite ' for digestion's sake the people again ; as- < sombled to hear a short account, of the year's doings, with addresses from the -j various ministers, and- some excellent sacred solos, quartets, and choruses from the choir, led by Mr Shearer and accompanied by Miss Eleanor Watts, organist. . Among the speakers were the Revs; Mr < Treadwell,- Shirer, Harris and Wright, the ; Bey. Mr Murray presiding. The following is the report and balance sheet for the year ended '81st December, 1889, which was read and adopted :— ; Generaij Fund. J Receipts. 1 '■ .

It may be pointed out that though the attendance at service is fairly up to the average, Sabbath collections are lower than for the previous year. To maintain cur church services, contributions must continue to-be not less than hitherto, as economy in administration, haß isached its utmost limit. W^ have a nett liability in the building ftineFof .£IOO, which entails a moderate r< ntal of £8 per annum for premises valued at seven hundred pounds; The liability it will be remembered is in the form of debentures of £5 each, bearing 8% interest, payable by the minister in lieu of rent. These debentures are repayable at any time and we hope to redeem at least two more of them in May^nost. The alteration in the church seats has, as may be seen, given increased comfort and accommodation. The choir continues to be of much service to the church and, under the leadership of Mr Shearer with Miss Eleanor Watts as organist, the weekly practice is a source of pleasure and profitable advancement to its mombers. . Mr Milson resigned his seat' on the committee and Mr Collins retires by rotation. Two members are to be elected to fill these vacancies. .

. £ 8. > Balance on hand ... .:. 4 7 0 Sabbath collections ... ... 48 4 2 Subscriptions ... ....... 43 IS 6 Church extension fund... ... 25 0 0 : ' .6116 9 «; Expenditure. Stipend exclusive of Halcombe 95 O 0 Insurance, rates, printing and sundries ... 10 6 11 . Cleaning and lighting ... ... 9 13 0 Assembly expenses ... ... 10 0 On hand ... .... 19 9 £116 9 8 Building Fund. Receipts. '-'■ On hand... ... 21 110 Special collection ... ... 15 4 Tea ... ... >...- «. ft 4 8 Donations ...15 2 6 £46 8 11 Expenditure. Debentures repaid ..^- ... 85 0 0 Painting and fencing ... ... 4 14 0 Alterations ..." ..v ... 4 15 6 On hand... ... ... ... 114 5 : £46 8 11