ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4962, 14 April 1926, Page 2

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

MEETING OF PARISIUONEBS. ELECTION OF SYNODSMEN. The annual, meeting of tlia parishioners of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Paeroa, was held on Monday night, the vicar, the Rev. F. B. Dobson, 'presiding over a large attendance, including a number o£ church people from Hikutaja. •

SYNODSMEN. ! In accordance with .the instructions from His Grace the Archbisjiop, the. election of two tsynodsraen to represent the parish at the synod meetings in connection with the newly formed Diocese of Waikato was made.. Messrs W. J. Towers and R. W. 'Evans were appointed ajnidst. applause. VICAR’S REPORT. The vicar's, report, jvhich dealt with various matters-■ in connection with the church', was then read, the concluding paragraph being as follows:: “This is the last report that I shall write as vicar of Paeroa, taken up almost entirely with tie business side of 1 Church work, so that it may be c'lea,n to the incoming’ vicar and vestry. But I do want, in conclusion, to specially place on record my'deep sense of gratitude and appreciation in having been for the. past ten years associated with the large and splendid band of church workers, who have made, the advance in church work possible : Tor while conscious of much that has been left undone, I do feel that the outlook is very hopeful indeed, and trust that with a new vicar, renewed life and vigour put into the work of the church, so tha,t it may not only be a witness righteousness, but-a real spiritual force in , ■"the place. .We shall always’ remem-, be.r the years we have spent in Paerca and be anxious to- hear of the progress, of the district, .and trust that* as we go forth .tot our new home and work you will, remember us and pray for a- blessing on our life and work.” • The report was adopted on the motion of Mr Evans, seconded by Mr Edwards. DIOCESAN FUND. The vicar reported that with theassfetance of the organiser the local contributions towards the Waikato. diocesan fund slightly exceeded £l5O to date. Altogether, about £4OO wasrequired for the fund from the district. The organiser had now left the district,- and Mr Hlakeway had been appointed treasurer. . . THANKS. In thanking all who had. helped- in various ways during the year the vicar paid a special tribute to' Mrs, A. Thorp, who for nearly] 40 years "had walked a considerable distance to superintend the Sunday-school yvork. Mr R. W._ Evans (choirmaster) was. also accorded a special vote of thanks and appreciation for .the valuable ser- . vices he had rendered loyally and ungrudgingly over a long number of years. Eulogistic reference • was made to the work of the Ladies’ Guild, which had been successful in raising considerable sums of money for various undertakings. . ' On the motion of Mr A. Grant a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the vicar. ' . , - - • Im seconding the resolution Mr E. Edwards referred briefly to'the splendid work performed by the .vicar, his-. wife, and. family, no.t only during the. past year,, but throughout’ his ministry at Paeroa. The. speaker said that their vicar had taken up his ■ •duties when the parish was in an insolvent state. By his earnest en-. deayours and clear vision the parish had acquired .additional land, jvhich was now held without mortgage, and. the church’s liabilities were now practically niL This happy state of affairs had been largely attributable to the efforts of their vicar, to whom the parishioners were.;gratefeul and Sincerely appreciative of’ the good work faithfully carried out in the interests of the people. (Applause.) In acknowledging the eulogistic remarks the Rev. Dobson, said that he was very grateful for the words of . good cheer and thanks. He stated that he could have accomplished little without the help of Mrs.,Dobson, who had been a. true help-mate, and had always acted as an incentive for ■ him to do his best. He had enjoyed his work at Paeroa, and was grateful to the many loyal church' workers who had assisted his. ministry. In reminiscent -mood Mr Dobson said that it was just over 40 . years since he first arrived at Paeroa. -As a., youth he had tramped from Te Aroha, and. carried his swag .in search of work. Spending the night at Paeroa, he ■set out next morning for Kirikiri (Kopu). On arrival there he found that there was no work to ba had. Borrowing a .boat he rowed across the Waihou River to a mill at Turua, where he got a job a,nd remained for 12 months.- Returning to his home at Blenheim some time la-ter he carried out the wishes of his parents by going to Nelson ajnd studying for Holy Orders. He well remembered the Bishop of Nelson telling him that he would never be wealthy as a clergyman, but he would command respect if he was faithful to his work. He believed that he had gained respect, and it was indeed pleasing that his efforts, however humble, should have been appreciated. OFFICERS. The following officers were appointed : Vicar’s Warden, Mr W. H. Blakeway ; People’s Warden, Mr R. J. Thoiqi; Vestrymen, Messrs F. C. Bly th, C. Moorhouse, L. C. Cane, G. H. Blackburne, W. J. Towers. C. N. O’Neill, A. F. Thorp, W. Barclay, E. Edwards, W. J. Ellis. It-was resolved that the outlying districts be asked to appoint representatives to attend vestry meetings as the need arose.