Feilding Parochial District.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 15, 17 July 1897, Page 2

Feilding Parochial District.

The annual meeting of parishioners in tbe Feilding Parochial District was hold in St. John's schcoliooin last evening. Owing, no doubt, to tho inclement nature of the* weather the attendance was not large, although there was a very f-iir attendance of ladies Tbe Key. A. S. Innes Jones presided aud opened the proceedings with prayer. The minutes of the last annual meeting ■wore read and confirmed. Mr Jones announced that be had reappointed Mr H. v. Sherwill the vicar's churchwarden. Mr W. G. Haybittle was re-elected unopposed as tbe people's eh arch warden. The following were elected a yestiy: —Messrs W. F. Jacob, J. Hewland, P. Burrell, E. G. "Wilson, A. Diamond, G. Wheeler, J. Andrew. Mr E. F. Blundell was elected auditor and Mr H. B. Dyer treasurer. Tbe churchwardens' report and balance sheet for the year ending June 30, 1897, was read as follows:— "In submitting our aunual report and balance* sheet to the parishioners, we are thankful to be able to chronicle a slight increase in the offertories, seat rents and subscriptions - viz., £14 2s 5d in excess of the receipts from the same sources for the year ending June 30,1896. We would, however, take this opportunity of pointing out that the improvement in oar financial position in far in ai-rear of what it should be with the increasing population. Tbe offertories in St. John's are by no means in proportion to tbe congregation ; and, as regards the subscription, we would draw attention to the fact that there are a number of church people who do not subscribe anything to the general church fund. If all church people would only recognise their responsibility in maintaining this fund by contributing an annnal subscription (however small) tbe finance* of the church would tben be placed on a satisfrctory footing. Church matters are far more encouraging in tbe country districts than in Feilding, more unity and enthusiasm being displayed, with a proportionately larger and more regular attendance at tbe services. A church to accommodate 100 people has been erected at Coiyton at a cost of about L 270. There is still a debt on the bnilding of LIOO, which, however, is being graunally reduced. We would conclude by making an earnest appeal to all church people to co-operate heartily with the vicar and the incoming vestry in their efforts for tbe furtherance of church work throughout the parochial district." The following is the statement of assets and liabilities : — Liabilities — Quarter assessment to 30th June, 1897, L 100; verger, L 4 ; outstanding accounts about L 10; estimated surplus, L 7 6s 6d; total, Ll2l 6s 6d. Assets-Balance at bank, L6B 5s 2d ; contributions outstanding (Peoobertou, L 8 la ; Apiti, L 7 9s 4d ; Waituna, L 10), L 25 10s 4d; outstanding Feilding pew rents and subscriptions, L 27 11s ; total, Ll2l 6s 6d. The balance-sheet was as follows: — Receipts - Balance at 30th June, 1896, Lll 4s lOd ; Feilding-Makino subscriptions, L 63 18s 3d; Feilding offertories, L 93 13s 4d; Feilding pew rents, Lls 7s 6d ; Apiti contribution, L 9 4s ; Birmingham contribution, L4113s 6d; Coiyton contribution, L 25; Halcome contribution, L 37 10s; Eiwitea contribution, L 46 5s ; Eiwitea special donation, L 5; Pemberton contribution, Ll6 14s; Stanway contribution, L 65 ; Stanway contributions outstanding on 30th June, 1896, Ll7 Is; Stanway special donation, L 5; proceeds of social held in October, 1896, L 7 Os-ld; total, L 459 16s 6d. Expanditure—Gen. eral Church fund (L 250, Vicar, 4 quarters; LB7 10s, Curate. 2^ quarters), L 337 10s; verger. Ll6 ; insurance, L 9 6s; rent of paddock, L 2 14s; glazing Sunday school windows, LI; communion wine, L 3 8s 6d ; Borough rates for year ending 81st March, 1897, L 4 15s 8d ; tuning organ, LI Is; printing and advertising, L1015s; kerosene and candles, L'2l9s 6d; stationery and stamps, 17a; trimming poplars in Church ground, 10s; bank interest and exchange, 14s 8d ; balance on 30th Jane, 1897, L6B 5s 2d ; total, L45916s 6d. Mr Wheeler pointed out that the LlO charged to Waituna should have been omitted as it was found that amount could not be collected there; the statement would, therefore, show a small deficit in place of a surplus. The report and balance Bheet were adopted. Mr Jones reviewed the position of tbe church during the year. In doiag so he stated they bad many things to be thankful for, while there were, also, causes for regret. Progress bad been made notably in the country districts, but not to a corresponding degree in the town. Since last annual meeting they bad secured the services of a curate who was working in the Ongo-Apiti district and the northern portion of the old district. Plans had been prepared for churches at Fowlers and Apiti. There was a want of enterprise in their system and he intended to hold at least one service a moath at Cheltenham. If the Feilding congregations did not appreciate their services more than at present the country would have to receive more attention. Stanway contributed more in proportion than Feilding and great progress was being made there, Mr' Wbeeler being a good worker and lay reader. At Coiyton a 'good work was going on and the nice church erected there was very well furnished. The congregations were keeping up well and he went there twice a month, Mr Con-, way, who acted as lay reader, conducting a service once a month. At Halcombe there was a falling off in attendance. At St John's there was great room for improvement The church would accommodate 350 persons and it was a matter for regret the attendance was not mnch larger than at present. If they had the work at heart they would make a point of attending. It was not to please him people went to church; it w*s not his church, but was tbeir's, and it was a. privilege to attend if they looked at it in tbe proper light. A clergyman could do very little unless he was supported by the congregation. The Sunday school work was going on but wanted ono or two more teachers. He thanked the teachers, the choir, organist and auditor for past assistance. He also niado feeling reference to the kindly sympathy and confidence which l<ad been extended <o him, and which bad been of great assistance. He asked adherents who had not signed tbe declaration of membership to do so to enable them to have a voice in tbe church affairs. Mr Haybittle moved a vote of thanks to Mr Jones for presiding. The meeting terminated with prayer, and light refreshments were handed round by the ladies.