FEILDING PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 18, 20 July 1895, Page 2

FEILDING PAROCHIAL DISTRICT.

The annual meeting of parishioners of the Feilding parochial district was held in Miss Goodbehere's schoolroom last evening. Present —Rev. A. Innes Jones (in the chair), S. Goodbehere, W. G. Haybittle, H. Worsfold, W. F. Jacobs, J. R. Black, A. Diamond, J. H. Fry, G. W. Wheeler, E. J. Allen, G. J. Johnston, E. Fitzherbsrt, E. Jennin*, F. Owen, H. L. Sherwill, F. Clapham, J. C. Hill, T. Jnmes, VV. Wilson, and about fifteen ladies. The minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. The report and balance-sheet for the year ending June 30th, 1895, were read as follows : — Report. —" It is gratifying to notice the position which the Church accounts attained last year for the first time in showing a small surplus of assets over liabilities has been maintained, although there lias been a slight falling off in the Feilding subscriptions and offertories, which amounted to £93 17s 3d i i subscriptions and £108 2s Id in offertories in 1894, and £91 9s in subscriptions and £108 0s 7d in offertories in 1895. Every effort, however, should be made to increase these receipts, as we still have temporarily to overdraw the bank account from £50 to £60 every quarter, and it is desirable that there should always be funds in hand to meet sudden emergencies. In addition to the receipts shown by the annexed accounts, special offertories have been collected in the church and appropriated as follows, viz. : —The general Church fund, £13 15s; Milanesian mission, £3 5s 7d ; Maori mission, £1 17s 4d ; pension fund, £3 3s 3d ; Sunday School fund, £4 3s 4d ; choir fund, £3 16s 6d—Total, £29 11s. And in addition to these receipts the ladies of the Sewing Bee have contributed a sum of £73, of which £60 has been laid out in the purchase of a new harmonium (which was much required) and £13 in cassocks for the choir. With respect to the progress which has been made in our Parochial Dis trict, the vestry is pleased to draw attention to t!ie fact that a church has been erected at Stan way, which has been consecrated by our new Bishop and dedicated to St. Michael and All Angels. In Colyton considerable enthusiasm is being shown in church matters, and funds are being raised for the erection of a church there. The congregations of both Stanway and Colyton have held meetings, at which local Church Committees have been appointed, and each committee has promised to contribute to the Feilding funds a sum of at least £20 per annum, which will be a welcome addition to our finances. A handsome lectern has been presented to the Church by Mr Colby, of Colyton, in memory of his deceased mother. Ser^ vices at Awahuri have been discontinued, owing to the falling off of Church members, and the annual contribution from that source will be missed, but it is hoped that this payment may be resumed after a time, especially if an assistant curate could be appointed. An attempt to attain this end was made during the past year, but promises of increased subscriptions to meet the requisite stipend of £150, amounting to £80 only were obtained ; it is hoped, however, that a more successful effort will be made shortly. Be» fore concluding this report the Vesiry desires to draw attention to the satisfaction which has been expressed throrgh* out the whole Diocese at the appointment of the new Bishop. A social ga hering was held in Feilding on the 4th of April to welcome his Lordship and Mrs Wallis, which was enthusiastically attended, tmd the proceeds arising there* from, which realised a sum of £4195, have, in accordance with a resolution of the Vestry, been paid into the Bank of Australasia to a separate account as the nucleus of a fund which it is proposed to be raised for increasing the accommodation at the vicarage. Balance-sheet, —The balance-sheet of receipts and payments for the period from July Ist, 1894, to June 30th, 1895, was read as follows : — Receipts. —July Ist, 1894, cash in bank, £25 10s Id ; June 30th, 1895, Feilding subscriptions, £919s ; Feilding offertories, £108 0s 7d; Colyton offertories, £10 8s Sd ; Stanway offertories, £2 6s 6d; Kiwitea contributions, £"31 ss; Halcombe contributions, £40; Awahuri contributions, £5; From Miss Goodbehere for rent of schoolroom, 30s ; Donation from C. Pharazyn, Esq., £5; Proceeds from social gathering, September 14th, 1894, £13 8s 2d; Seat rents, £18 9s 5d ; Total, £352 7s 6d. Payments.—June 30th, 1895, general Church fund, £250; insurances, £11 4s 6d; rates, £5 8s 2d; repairs, £5 8s 8d ; printing and advertising, £9 ; kerosene, £4 12s 3d; rent of paddock, £6 15s; lamp, 25s ; Communion wine, 355; envelopes and postage stamps, 22s 6d ; Mr Homer's expenses from Palmerston, ss; bank interest, exchange, and 6d for sundries, 4s ; balance, £39 7s sd; Total, £352 7s 6d. The liabilities and assets were shown as follows, as at June 30th, 1895 : — Liabilities. —General Church Fund, £62 10s; verger, £4 ; half-year's rent of paddock, due May Ist; £2145; accounts owing—Star office, £2 13s; Mr Eade, £2 15s; Mr Pope, 25s ; kerosene, 32s ;— £8 ss; insurance of vicarage £3, rates £4 15s 8d; surplus, £9 2s 9d; Total, £94 7s sd. Assets.—Cash in bank, July Ist, 1895, £39 7s sd; estimate of subscriptions and rents due June 30th, £35 10s ; contributions from Halcombe, due June 30th, £17 10s; Total, £94 7s sd. The Chairman, when reading the balance-sheet, stated that where the item appears as Feilding subscriptions, it really represented Colyton, Stanway, and other parts qf the district, excepting Halcombe and Kiwitea, which places undertook to contribute L4O and L 25 a year respectively. It would be better to localise the subscriptions and show where they came from. He believed this would be done in the future as committees were being formed at oat: lying localities. Resolved, That the report and balance sheet as read be adopted. In disgusting thp ba.lanceisb,eet, Mr Jacob thought it did not reflect credit on the parish as the reoeipts were not any better than they were ten years ogo. They had made an effort to better their position, but had not succeeded very well. The election of officers resulted as follows :—Curate's church warden, Mr H. L. Sherwill; people's church warden, Mr W. G. Haybittle; vestrymen, Messrs G. Wheeler, W. F. Jacob, H. B. Dyer, J. Andrew, S. Goodbehere, A. Diamond; F. Clapham j auditor, Mr ■•'Ai' C. Mathe;sou.. ; ■■;;•:<■•'■ ;'-;:.v-..- "H: •/■' : '■/ -'"■ . Mr Jones said the Bishop emphatically stated a churchwardens book, con-taining-all the names of church members sb^uld; be :;kept, and in future such a .TOll:^riiabekept;> : ; >j Prqgtos^a by Mf'Wheeler, seconded by Mrßlack,'That a^committee beappointe<| to readjust, the country subscriptions' from tb@ different Oisttists o£ the PWisii,

such committee to consist of Messrs Goodbehere, Fry, Levett, Andrew, and the mover.— Carried. Proposed by Mr Black, seconded by Mr Wheeler, That in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable that a oonference of church members be arranged for the consideration of subjects affecting church welfare, and that the vestry be requested to make all arrangements for the holding of such a conference. In speaking to the motion Mr Black said the idea came from the Bishop, and there would be an undoubted advantage in holding a conference where subjects affecting the welfare of the church could be discussed. The Bishop suggested as suitable subjects the following : — Bible reading in State schools ; difficulty of administering to the scottered bush settlers ; and social purity. It was suggested that such subjects an these should be taken up and discossed with leaders on each side, and the Bishop to occupy the chair. He suggested a two days conference — one for a special sermon by the Bishop and the other for discussion of subjects as suggested, or if the Bishop could not stay here two days, hold special service in the afternoon. He contended a groat benefit would arise from discussing these or kindred subjects. He would like these conferences to bo held annually. Mr Wheeler was in favor of the motion and anything to promote services in the back country districts would have his assistance. v Mr Jones also approved of holding conferences as indicated, as great benefit would be derived therefrom. The motion was then put and carried. On the mottion of Mr Allen seconded by Mr Goodbehere, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr J. H. O. Colby for the gift of a handsome lectern. Resolved, That the next annual meeting be held at 3.30 p.m. Resolved, That a vote of tbanka be accorded to all church workers. Mr Jones, in reviewing the work of the past year, said they had been making fair progress, but they should show a better balonce-sheet as the district was growing. If church members wished the church to be prosperous they must pull together, and be all of one mind, working together for the essential point*. They required an assistant curate to work the outlying districts, and he would like to see one appointed, because there was sufficient work for him (the chairman) in the town. A vote of thanks to Miss Goodbehere for the use of the room terminated the meeting.