PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 August 1921, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of St. Andrew's congregation was held in the church, Helensville, on July 25th, whem a very good attendance was recorded. After devotional exercises by the Rev. W. Butterworth, who presided,

The annual reports of the various organisations for the year just ended were presented.

Mr C. P. Thomson (session clerk) read the session report. The various activities ot the year were referred to. Four elders had been ordained—viz., Messrs McLean, Jones, Hoe, and Hanson, thus -bringing up the session to six. It stated that during the last six months a very marked increase in the attendances at the services in Helensville had been noted, and that a good tone prevailed in the church at present. There had been an increase of seven com municantß during the year. Miss Simcock had very kindly undertaken to officiate at the organ. The number.of scholars on the books is 63, and in addition Bible classes are held at Helensville and Parakai. A branch of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union had been formed during the year, and now has a membership of 14.

Thanks were tendered to all workers, and after eulogistic references had been made to the work of the Rev. Butterworth by delegates from Parakai, WoodhiU and Kaukapakapa, the session report was adopted.

The balacce-sheet was read by Mr J. Mackie'(treasurer), a summary of which was given in the manager's report presented by Mr Leonard (secretary). This report showed a credit balance of £159 12s 3d and assets valued at £860, with no liabilities; from which it will be seen that the finances of the church are in a very healthy condition. The gross receipts for the year amounted to £553, and the expenditure to £442.

The congregation at Kaukapakapa have during the year raised, in addition to the ordinary collections, the sum of £34, which amount has been expended in the purchase of a new organ, hymnbooks and communion set.

The report concluded with— "The managers trust that all members and adherents will during the coming year sustain the interest and financial support given so freely during the year under review."

The balance-sheet and report were then adopted.

The following were elected the board of managers for the ensuing year: —Messrs Aitkenhead, Bailey, Callow, Dwerrvhouse, Grey, Fastier, Hunter, Leonard, Macrae, Livesey, and the elders ex officio.

The building committee reported that plans and specifications for the interior renovation of the church were to hand, and that tenders for this work would be called immediately. The work includes a new pulpit, the walls of the church to be lined with rimu 6ft high and the rest covered with fibrous plaster squares. It is hoped to finish this work in about three months.

Mr Butterworth announced that in accordance witk the wish of the presbytery, a League of Nations union would be formed in the parish, and he would preach on the subject on August 7.

The meeting was closed with the benediction, after which the ladies handed round refreshments