MERIVALE CHURCH.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 262, 14 April 1875, Page 3

MERIVALE CHURCH.

The annual meeting of parishioners was held on Friday last in the schoolroom, Papanuiroad.

The incumbent (Rev F. Knowles) presided, and briefly reviewed the items of parochial progress during the year. The church had been enlarged to double its former extent, and had been rendered most commodious, while, thanks to the liberality of parishioners and friends, and to the exertions made by Mr Lane, Mr Duckworth, and others, the greater part of the large sum required for this purpose had been collected. There was now ample accommodation for some time to come, but the population was increasing, and he trusted the congregations would increase proportionately. He was glad to say that the Sunday school attendance kept up well, and that they had an adequate number of teachers, whose regularity and zeal were most exemplary. The services at Knightstown, twice in each month, had been continued ; but it was proposed to build a new church, to cost say £250, on the reserve at the corner of the Caledonian road, on the northern boundary of St Luke's, and as this would be convenient to a populous district of the parish of Merivale, he had offered to assist in serving that church, instead of continuing to officiate in the reading room. What the result would be he could not say; but there was another matter bearing upon the result. The standing committee were revising the parochial boundaries, and in answer to inquiries, the vestry had stated that in any future readjustment the town belt should, in their opinion, be made the boundary line between St Luke's, as a town parish, and Merivale as a suburban one. This he thought expedient if any change were made, but the whole matter was in the hands of the Bishop and standing committee. A ladies' working society had been established, meeting at Mrs Lane's house, and already with substantial results. He hoped still further good would follow. The church services had, in his opinion, been made heartier by the adoption of monotone in the responses, and for this and other improvements they were indebted to the enthusiastic efforts and sacrifices made by Mr Palairet and the members of the choir. He hoped soon to call a meeting, in which ladies would take their part, for the estiblishment of a parochial institute of lay helpers, with the view of drawing together all who now in any way helped him and of inducing others to do so; also for the collection of small monthly sums towards parochial and diocesan objects, and of supplying information to the clergyman concerning the sick, the needy, and new comers. Mr E. Williams had kindly done good service in the decoration of the church beams. The nomination for a synodsman had resulted in the election of Mr W. H. Lane.

Mr W. H. Lane, churchwarden and treasurer, then presented the cash account and balance-sheet for the year, as audited. The receipts had been—Seat rents, £lO2 17s ; subscriptions to stipend, £67 4s ; collections in church and premiums on small silver, £139 15s sd; donations and childien's service offerings, £8 18s lid ; sale of oil, 8s ; collections for Melanesian mission and diocesan funds, £2O 3s 3d. Expenditure— Stipend, £2OO (in addition to £SO from church property trust) ; insurance, £22 9s ; advertising, music, &c, £2l6s7d; special rate on parsonage, £4 13s 4d ; interest, £25 Is lOd ; lighting, cleaning, &c, £4O 16s 6d. The liabilities last Easter were £23 2s 8d ; they were now £2O 12s Id, but against this there were on account unpaid subscriptions and seat rents to the amount of £25 2s, some of which, however, had been paid since 31st March. On the building account there was a debt of £358 4s 7d, of which £263 19s 3d was for the school and parsonage, and £94 5s 4d for the church. The subscriptions for church enlargement (including ladies' work) amounted to £443 9s lid ; the expenditure had been £537 15s 3d. Mr Lane concluded by moving a vote of thanks to Mr Frederick Pavitt for kindly auditing the accounts, which was cordially alopted. The accounts as read were passed. Votes of thanks were unanimously adopted, to the retiring officers and building committee ; to the Sunday school teachers ; to Mr Palairet, honorary organist and choir master ; to the members of the choir, and to the incumbent, and Mr E. Williams for permanent decorations in the church. Mr Lane was again nominated minister's churchwarden, and Mr W. Stringer elected parishioners' churchwarden. The following were elected vestrymen—Messrs Dickinson, Mann, Merson, Willey, and B. Rastrick. The vestry to act also as school committee. On the motion of Mr Hawkins, it was unanimously resolved—" That the recommendation made by the vestry to the standing: committee re boundaries of the parish of Merivale, has the concurrence and support of this meeting." The proceedings were then brought to a close with the blessing.