SPORTING.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1285, 2 May 1878, Page 3

SPORTING.

&T. JOHN’S PARISH

The annual meeting of St. John’s parish was held last night in the school-room, at 7.30. There was a large attendance—many ladies being present. The meeting was opened with prayer, after which the chairman (the Incumbent) said that the year had been characterised by the usual peace and goodwill in the parish, and a better attendance at both morning and evening services. This was due to some extent to the influence of the very able mission which was conducted last year by his friend the Ecv. H. B. Macartney. The offertories were largely in excess of those of last year. The Sunday school was full to overflowing, and an able body of teachers assisted in teaching the children on Sundays. The choir was not less efficicntand valuable than in any previous year, the music of the church having improved during the past twelve months. The simplifying ot the musical portions of the services, as recommended by the last annual meeting, hail been highly successful, and had received the cheerful co-operation of the choir itself. Several subjects of importance would be brought before them in the report, which he would now ask the secretary to read “ The Vestry have the honor to submit their report and balance-sheet for the consideration of the seat holders and parishioners. “ The balance-sheet shows a large increase in the amount received from the offertories. They are upwards of .£BS in excess of those of the previous year. After the deduction of the special offertory for the Indian Famine Fund, they still show a large advance on those of other years. But while the offertories are larger than those of any previous year, the pew rents show a decline iu the receipts from that source This is due to the fact that nearly .£3O are still outstanding in arrears. The churchwardens would here remind the seat-holders that all seat rents should be paid in advance, and they would beg them to comply with the rule without loss of time in each year, and with as little trouble to the officers of the church as may be. The question of the enlargement of the church and the introduction of a new hymnal have been before the vestry. In regard to the former the report of last year said —‘The necessity for increased accommodation in the church has been felt for some time past, and we think the tinie has now arrived for making an effort to provide funds for the accomplishment of this most necessary work, as the present applications for sittings arc considerably in excess of the av-ilablo accommodation in the church, and wc feel it a duty to supply the demand as soon as possible.’ The present vestry agree with the sentiments of their predecessors in office, and are of opinion that the wants of the increasing population of the parish will be best met by the building of a new and larger church. The hymnal at present in use is out of print, so that the introduction of another book at an early date becomes absolutely necessary. The subjects are commended to the earnest consideration of the parishioners, and the incoming vestry. “H. Hesketh, 7 Churchwardens “ H. Thomson, j '-' aur cmvaruens. “ St. John’s Vestry, 1878.” The balance-sheet was then read by Mr Hargreaves, and showed a slight improvement upon the stite of things of last year. On the motion of Mr Cuff, seconded by MiHill, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The Incumbent then nominated Mr J. Curnow as his warden. Mr M. Murphy was nominated as parishioners’ warden. The following gentlemen were elected as vestrymen of the parish : —Messrs Hargreaves, Hobday, Gee, Mills, Twentyman, Dobson, Ponsford, Manning. Votes of thanks were carried to the retiring churchwarden and vestry ; to Mr Hobday, for furnishing the choir with new surplices ; to the superintendent and Sunday school teachers ; to the choir, ladies, gentlemen, and boys ; to the ladies and gentlemen who decorated the church at Christmas and Easter, and to the auditor, Mr M’Laren. Mr Hargreaves presented to Mr Hesketh a gold albert chain and short testimonial on his leaving the parish, Mr Hesketh made a suitable and feeling acknowledgement. In regard to the recommendation of the report as to the building of another church, after much discussion, in which Messrs Hargreaves, Twentyman, Collins, Hill, Morgan, Graham, and others took part, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Morgan, seconded by Mr W. H. Anthony—“ That the vestry be empowered to obtain a professional opinion as to the possib lity of enlarging St. John’s Church.” After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting was concluded by singing the doxology, and the pronouncing of the benediction. StTmIGH A EL’S PARIS 11. The meeting of parishioners of the _ above parish was held on Monday evening, the incumbent presiding, and congratulating the meeting upon the condition of the parish and the work done.’ Eeports, including the usual statement of accounts, which was brought up by Mr Palmer, and that of the Sunday school committee, presented by Mr Brittan, were laid before the meeting. The statement of accounts was adopted. Messrs R. J. S. Harman and Field were elected churchwardens, the former being nominated by Mr Penny, and the latter elected by the parishioners. The vestrymen chosen were: —Me srs Bennett, Brittan, CherriU, Evans, Hawkes, Hawley, Lane, Lockwood, and Parkerson. Votes of thanks having been passed to the officers, and all who had assisted in the church work, the meeting adjourned.

NEW ZEALAND Gil AND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES. The following weights were declared Inst night for the New Zealand Grani > Nationa , HandiCAT’, of 200 sovs, with a sweepstake of 5 sovs each for acceptors, to go to the second horse. Nomination of 2 sovs to go to the fund. Distance 4 miles. st. lb. st lb. Eversley ... 12 4 Shark ... ... 10 1) TcWhetumaramall 7 Ivanhoc ... 10 7 Eclipse 11 5 Moose ... ... 10 7 Sir Tatton ... 11 1 Agent ... ... 10 5 Monsetrap ... 11 1 Zetland ... 10 0 Kildare 11 0 Lunatic ... 10 0 Brunette ... 10 13 Batsman ... 10 0 Shillelagh ... 10 U Ihe Don ... 10 0 H- P. jAjiCE, Handicapper.