PARISHIONER'S MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, 6 May 1899, Page 3

PARISHIONER'S MEETING.

The meeting, which was but fairly attended, was held in the Sunday School last night. The Vicar opened the proceedings with prayer. The Vicar apologised for Mr W. 8. Stewart's absence through sickness. He 6aid it was usual fov thfe Vicar to give a resume of the work done in the parish, but as he had been here so short a time he thought he had better not. The services in the evening at the Church were well attended, but the morning services were not bo. Owing to Mr Stewart's absoence. the annual report had not been prepared. He called on Mr Alf Fraser to read the financial statement: — Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for nine months ending 31st March, 1899. General Account. Receipts.

A. S. Easton, Church-warden. Audited and found correct.—C. F. England, On the motion of Mr Morton,' seconded by Mr W. Barber, the statement was adopted. SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT. The Vicar read the following re port received from Mrs Stewart :— Number of children on roll — Girls, 63; Boys, 53. Total, 116. Number of Teachers — Male, 1; Females, 8. Total, 9. Average attendance between seventy and eighty. The School is entirely self-support-ing, the pennies of the children being the only money we have to pay for tickets, books, etc. We have had no service or concert to help us, but we hope to raise money for the Library by something of the kind very soon. I have to thank the teachers for their hearty co-operation in the work throughout the year, in the achievement of such success as has been attained. This year we start with great advantage. We have a new schoolroom, and the fortnightly visits of our Vicar, the latter is much appreciated by children and teachers. M. F. H. Stewart. CHURCH OFFICERS. The Vicar appointed Mr Stewart as his Church-warden. Mr Alf Fraser proposed, seconded by Mr Thynne, That Mr A. S. Easton be People's Church-warden. Carried. Mr Fraser proposed that the Vestry be composed of seven members. Mr Easton seconded. Carried. The following gentlemen were then elected as Vestrymen :—Messrs W. Robinson, Morton, England, W. Barber, Betty, Fraser and Gower. Mr Thynne was elected auditor. Mr Alf Fraser brought up the question of enlarging the Church. He proposed, That the Vestry be re quested to enlarge the Church as soon as possible, and that the whole of the money required to be in hand before the work is proceeded with. Seconded by Mr Easton. The Vicar said he had seen the plans of the proposed enlargement of the Church two months ago in Wellington. The cost, he thought, was about £100. Some gentlemen had promised £5 each. He believed £40 had been subscribed before he came here, and he had had £15 promised since, so he thought there should be little difficulty in raising the sum. He would be against any proposal to do anything unless the money was in hand. Mr England said it was proposed to lengthen the church 14 feet, to move the present chancel to one side, and to make a new chancel. He believed it could be done for £100. The motion was put and carried. Proposed by Mr Thynne, seconded by Mr Betty, That it be a direction to the Vestry to take early steps to redeem the debentures signed by Messrs Easton and Stewart. Carried. The Vicar expressed the thanks of the parish to all Church-workers, 912., the lay-readers, Sunday School superintendent and teacher?, the organists and members of the choir, bell-ringer,lamp lighters, decorators, Ladies' Guild, and all other workers. The meeting was then closed in the usual manner,

Offertories ... ... £35 12 i° Special offertories ... 314 i° Subscript's to stipend fund 20 o ° Rent, Church Reserve ... 210 ° Debit balance ... 20 16 3 Expenditure. Bank overdraft ... £2 2 2 Interest on Vicarage ... 18 1 o Stipend assessment ... 53 2 6 Shadbolt, cutting trees ... 219 o Insurance on Vicarage ... 119 0 Borough rates on same* ... 440 Stamp for guarantee ... 10 Chequebook ...■ ... 2 o Bank interest for half-year 3 3 £82 13 11 Building Account. Receipts. Cash in hand... ... £15 o 9 Balance, Bazaar ... 1 10 o From Post O. Savings B. 10 o 9 Sale ot Work ... 19 10 10 Social ... ... 115 3 Debit balance ... 14 9 8 „ ' . &* 7 3 Expenditure. Theo. Easton, balance contract, three payments £62 o o Bank interest ... ... 73 £62 7 3