PARISH MEETINGS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2234, 26 April 1881, Page 2

PARISH MEETINGS.

ST. MICHAEL'S. Tho annual parish meeting in connection with St. Michael and All Angels took place list night in the schoolroom, the Rev E. G. Fenny, incumbent, presiding. Thero was not a largo attendance. The meeting having been opened with prayer, Mr A. W. Bennett, returning officer for tbo parish, notified that Messrs 21. J. Tancred and R. J. S. Harman had been elected as Synods* men of the parish of St. Michael's. The Chairman said that he regretted the small attendance that evening, but perhaps they might congratulate themselves that this was owing to the absonoe of any moving cause in their parochial life. The; had, he thought, much reason to be thankful for the progress they had made in the parish. He trusted that as time went on they would be able to rejoice over their spiritual as well as material progress. The attendance on the servioes themselves had improved greatly, and there had been an increase in the number of communicants, particularly in the early morning celebrations, which had reached forty, and up to fifty. He desired specially to regret that they had but, so small an opportunity of imparting religious instruction to the children, only about three-quarters of an hour per week. He did not thick that the Church of New Zealand would be content with this, nor did he think the parents would long be satisfied with tho present state of things. Mr Merton being about to leave the school in connection with the parish, he (the incumbent) should ask power to continue the experiment. He thought the parish of St. Luke's was entitled to great praise for their courage in rupporting their school as they had done. He felt with regard to the work of the parish chat it was beyond the power of one person to carry out so efficiently as was to be desired. A branch of the Ohnrch Work Society had been established, as a tentative experiment, in the parish. The Ladies' Guild had also done a great deal of good during the year. He did not know what the present winter would bring forth, but last winter there were a number of calls in the parish in the direction of visiting the poor and affording relief. He trusted that the parish would do something towards meeting the distress which might arise, and he might say that he hoped some better method would be devised than that carried out lost year. As the church would shortly cease to occupy the position of the pro-Cathedral, it would probably be necessary to consider whether their services should not be characterised by more simplicity than was now the case. After referring to the necessity of the change of Psalter, and paying a tribute of praise to the church officers, the Chairman said they would take the report and balance sheet as read.

The report is as follows : In presenting the accomp nying statement of accounts for the past year, the incumbent and churchwardens desire to express their satisfaction at tbo present financial condition of the parish. 4. reference to the balance-sheet will show that the receipts from offertories, subscriptions and teat rents are in advance of those of the previous year. The amount from these sources hap fully covered the year's expenditure. It must, however, be borne in mind that a part of the annual income is devoted to the payment of the premium on a sufficient number of shares in the Permanent Loan Society, to extinguish, in about eight years, the remaining portion of the building debt. By a similar provision the dibt on the ichool is in course of liquidation. The incumbent and churchwardens therefore, earnestly hope that the annual subscriptions will be liberally maintained, not only to meet or inary expenses, but for other work urgently needed in the parish. E. G. Penny, incumbent; R. J. S. Hakman, A. W. Bennett, churchwardens.

The balance sheet showed that the receipts, including £4OO loan from Mr Harman, £IOO of which was on Sunday .school account, had been £2002 2s lOd, and the disbursements, including £BOO loans repaid, and £l4O of last year's accounts, amounted to £IO9O 13s 4d, leaving a balance to credit of £ll 0a 6d. Ihe receipts from offertories, seat rents, and Bubocriptions was, for 1880, £O6 13s 4d; and 1881, £llOO Is Gd.

The report and balance sheet were then put and adopted, Mr Harman stating that ho believed the parish would go on steadily reducing the debt, though, of course, the establishment of the Cathedral services would, he was afraid, reduce their offertories. Mr W. G. Brittain presented the Sundayschool accounts, remarking that the excess of expenditure over income in the working aooount was due to the item £8 for gas, which had been mainly used by the choral tocicty. It had been expected that the society

would have contributed something towards this, but thoy hod not done ao. , , On the motion of Mr Brittain the school accounts wore received and adopted. The Incumbent nominated Mr B. J. ». Harman as minister's ohurohwarden. Mr Brittain proposed Mr Bridges as parishioners' ohurohwarden, remarking that ho was of opinion that the General Synod had •trained its powers by making, it necessary for a ohurohwarden to reside in the parish. In a parish lees loyai:th»n St. Michael t this might result in kicking oyer the traces. As St. Michael's was essentially in which business premises preponderated they would have but few eligible for office. Mr Evans seconded the motion, which was Mr Harman pointed out that the resolution of the General Synod only debarred nonresidents from taking office as churchwardens, not as vestrymen. There being no other nomination, Mr Bridges was declared duly elected as parishioners' ohurohwarden. The following gentlemen were elected as the vestry: —Messrs E Purkerson, 11. B. Lane, Fuiboll, W. G. Brittain, Palmer, Hanley, Oherrill, Evans, Hawkos and Captain Temple. The school committee wore appointed as follows :—The ohurchwardens, Messrs Huxley, Evans and Brittain. The usual votes of thanks concluded the proceedings.

MERI PALE. The annual parish meeting was held last evening. After the usual devotional rxeroises, Mr Isaac Gibbs, Returning Officer, declared Mr W. D. Meares duly elected as Synodsman for the parish. The incumbent (who presided) congratulated the meeting on the year's results. Ho called special attention to the Churoh Work Society, which had raised £133 durhtg the year for local and diocesan purposes ; also, to the aum of £2OO received from Mrs John Studholme, part proceeds of tho fancy fair. A new organ had Seen purchased, and would be eroctcd shortly. The various accounts, duly audited, were presented. The revenuo for the year had been £589 Us, and the expenditure £SOO 8a sd. The overdraft at the Bank was now £l7l 15s sd, as against £2OO 18j last year. The Chairman appointed Mr W. F. Boatson as his ohurohwarden, Mr Geo. Dickinson being chosen by the parishioners. Messrs W. Stringer, J. Mann. R. Rastrick, Meadows, F. O. Elliston, O. W. Exall, H. W. Shaw, and J. Willey were chosen as a vestry. Cordial Totes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers, Sunday school teachers, Church Work Sooiety, and also to the incumbent. The Inoumbent mentioned the loss the parish had sustained owing to Mrs Barry leaving Christchnrch for Akaroa. That lady had led the choir for the past four years with marked success, and he felt sure the meeting would endorse tho regret he felt on this poiut. He would also mention that Mr Watkins was entitled to their thanks for the services rendered as temporary organist, to whioh post Mr Gilmore had been permanently appointed. The meeting waa concluded in the usual manner.