PUKETAPU PARISH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 184, 21 August 1937, Page 3

PUKETAPU PARISH

Annual Meeting of Parishioners THE VICAR'S REVIEW The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Michael and All Angels was held at the viearage, Puketapu, the vicar, the Kev. J. J. Auderson, presiding over a representative gathering of all portions of the parish. Dufinf# the past yoar enthusiasm was shown by parishioners in the welfare of the parish, one of the most important nctivities bcing the institution of services at Kereru. This year the parish will celebrale the twenty-fiftk anniversary of 'its constituion as a parochial district. The vicar, who was instituted in August last, in his report stated that the taking-over of a new parish made one very conscious of tlio work of thosewho had gone before. Puketapu in the past had been well served by faithful raen as vicars. It had also been well austained by the labours and gcnefosity of its laity. "If we co-operate in the work and service of God in this parish; if we can draw all nien iuto the tellowship of woxship, I know that it will still prosper spirituully," lie said. In connection with the serviees, Mr. Anderson stated that they were held at ten different points and their frequency was governed by this. Cousidering the weather and distancc that parishioners wero ohliged to travel, the attendances had been quite good but they could still be improved. While recognising the many counter-attrac-tions which did not exist in the past generation, Mr. Anderson held strongly that a rule of life which provided for attendance at public worship was vitally necessary \for the individual life, whieh in turn had a wide effeet. direetly and indirectly upon the life of the commumty. "St. George's Church, Crownthorpe, has been enriched by the gift of an oak lectern from Mrs. T. II. Lowry to the niemory of her fatkcr, " said Mr. Anderson. "It adds very much to Ihe beauty of the church. It has that fnrther value of linking us with the life of the past and reminding us of the debt one generation owes to another. Only yesterday I received a letter from the vicar of Great Orton, Carlisle, England, expressing - his great pleasure that a copy of a lectern in his church should exist in this parish. "One Sunday school exists at Puketapu with 16 children taken by Mrs. Ander,son. The usual weekly Bible instrutcion is given in the Puketapu school. This work, wkere possible, I hope to extend. Iu this connection 1 would like to express oiy warm app'rcciation and thanks to Mrs. Sldnner, of Puketitiri. She ,/undertakes a weekly class in the State school. &Ir. Andersop. expressed his appreciation of the help given by the church wardens and members of the vestry. He also extehded his thanks to the various organists and to those who had so kindly made their homes available for serviccs. ^ "I would like to express my thanks for the kindnesses and hospitality extended to me since my arrival," concluded Mr. Anderson. ' ' There is, I f eel, a warm attachment to tho church, whieh we know as the Church of England in New Zealand. In this seattered district it is the living agent, the vicar - being the link. I hope as I become oiore familiar with the parish that both Mrs. Anderson and I will be able to render greater service." . - The following offieers were elected for the ensuing year: — Vicar 's warden, Sir Andrew Russell (Tunanui); peoples' warden, Mr., H. "F. Beamisli (Wh'ana Whana) ; synodsman, Mr. C. E. Nelson Smith (Olrig); vestry, Messrs. J. H. Absolom (Rissington), H. Gascoyno (Maraekakaho), J. R. Hunter (Sherenden), J. N. Lowry (Oreka), J. Paton (Otamauri)', W. Turner (Puketitiri), J. Wliite (Omarunui), and C. E. Nelson-Smith. The ilnancial requirements of the parish were discussed at lengtli,^ it being pointed out that additional income would be required in order to discharge all the fhnctions for the ensuing year. It was decided to again organise the flower show at Puketapu for the purpose of raising funds for. the Melanesian Mission. Those present were* afterwards hospitably entertained to afternoon tea by the vicar and Mrs. Anderson.