ST. PAUL S CHURCH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5123, 9 May 1927, Page 3

ST. PAUL S CHURCH.

ANNUAL PARISHIONERS’ MEETING. SATISFACTORY YEAR’S WORK. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, in the parochial district of Paeroa, was held in the Parish Hall on Thursday evening, the vicar (the Rev. W’. G. H. Weadon) presiding over an attendance. of some sixty persons. The vicar expressed his pleasure- at seeing so

many present, and extended a hearty

welcome to the, parishioners from Netherton and Hikutaia. ► T,he annual report, which was read by the secretary, stated : — “This parish has had its share of trouble during the year just closed, but nevertheless continued to jog ,hlong serenely. The Rev. F. B. Dobson retired on pensipn at t,.ie- end of April, and we were without a vicai until the arrival of the Rev. R- A. Forde, 8.D., on September 14-', 1926. Unfortunately Mr Forde suffered a breakdown in health and relinquished his charge on September 27. However we were fortunate in hearing from the. Bishop of }Vaikato during March that lie had appointed the Rev. W. G. H. Weadon, of the Diocese of Waiapu, to the charge of Paeroa, and the vestrymen are- confident that under his guidance the progress of the parish will proceed smoothly and efficiently. “During the year the spiritual work has not been neglected, thanks to the devoted work of the lay-re.aders Di. G. T. Smith and Messrs Blakeway and Gwilliam. They were encouraged and -helped in their work by the occasional services taken by vicars of adjacent parishes. At the. end of October Mr Blakeway was transferred to Hamilton, and the senior and junior lay-readers had to carry on the work at Paeroa, Netherton, and Karangahake, Mr E. J. Smith, of the Thames parish, carrying on at Hikutaia and Wharepoa. “The. Sunday School at Paeroa continues to flourish under the able superintendence of Mrs A. J. Thorp and her willing band of helpers. It is pleasing to note that Miss L. Robinson has inaugurated a Sunday School at St. Mary’s Hikutaia, and that her efforts are meeting with success. It is to be hoped that a similar movement will be started at Karangahake, Netherton, and Wharepoa. “The choir of St. Paul’s fully merit the- e.ulogistlc reference of the Bishop of WaJ.kato to the effect that they were second to none in the Diocese. Considering the long distance that most members reside from St. Paul’s, it must have entailed considerable sacrifice of time on their part to achieve ' this result. Recently the choir and a few vestrymen journeyed to Netherton to help the service there. Similar trips are contemplated to other, portion of the parish shortly. “Parishioners and visitors to St. Paul’s often remark on th© beautifully dressed Altar, but.very few realise that it is due solely to the sacrifice of time and money by Mr Evans. “The memorial church fund had another £lOO added to it by the St. Paul’s Ladies Giui.ld last December, M|ud should amount to approximately £7OO as at March 31. It is all invested with the Diocesan Trust Board of Waikato. “The parish fund shows a creditbalance- mainly due to offertories, and a donation of £4O from the Ladies’ Guild. The vestry have, not had to contribute to the Stipend duri,ng the year, but many other items of expense have occurred, such as expenses of visiting clergymen, insurance, rates lighting, cleaning, Missions, Central Fund Levy, Endowment Fund, Synod, Pension Fund, etc. “The vestry has received with regret the resignation of Miss Hart, as organist of St. Paul’s, and wish to place on record their appreciation of - her long and faithful service in that capacity.” The balance-sheet showed the receipts to be £431 12s 2d. and expenditure £358 8s 10d, leaving a credit balance of £73 35’43. After several Questions regarding the finances, had been answered, the report and bal-ance-sheet was adopted. The vicar said that he desired to congratulate the parishioners on the splendid work done, and satisfactory results attained during the difficult time that had been experienced in the parish. He also wished to gratefully acknowledge the. many kindnesses that Mrs Weadon and he had received since coming to Paeroa. The vestry and church-workers particularly had given them a royal welcome., and had left little undone to provide for their comfort and convenience. He was especially grateful for the gift of a motor-car which would assist him materially in ministering to the churches of the parish outward of Paeroa. Already certain gifts for the church had been received. Seasonal vestments were required, and he was prepared to donate a linen set for use in the- church,. A brass ewer had also been offered for use at the. font. Grateful thanks were due to the Ladies’ Guild, lay-readers, choir, and other workers who had rallied round and helped along the work of the church. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: Vicar’s warden, Dr. G. T. Smith ; people’s warden Mr C. E. B. Gwilliam; synodsmen, Messrs. W. J. Towers, and R. W. Evans; vestrymen, Messrs. R. E. Thorp, C. N. O’Neill. L. C. Cane, W. Barclay, W. J Ellis, F C. Blyth, A. J. Young, A. F. Grant, A. F. Thorp, and C. H. Moorehousc.