Annual Meeting of Parishioners.

Manawatu Herald, 21 May 1903, Page 3

Annual Meeting of Parishioners.

The annual meeting of Parishioners of All Saints’, Foxton, took place last evening in the Parish Schoolroom. The vicar (the Rev. Herbert F. Wilson), was in the chair.

The vicar’s report showed, on the whole, a progressive state of things in this part of the parish. The balance sheet and financial report presented by the outgoing Vestry was adopted. It showed that the Parish is well able to meet its present modest expenditure. All accounts had been met and, in addition, sums amountin to £32 had been paid away for needs not likely to recur for a long time., The total debts upon the Church properties are now about £IOO - and it is expected that these will shortly be entirely liquidated. The financial help of the Ladies’ Sewing Bee has been of the greatest assistance. Mr W. S. Stewart was nominated as Vicar’s Churchwarden for the ensuing term, and Mr A. S. Easton was re-elected Parishioner’s warden. The following gentlemen were elected for the new vestry :—Messrs E. E. Jenks, George Barber, Alf Fraser, 0. P. England, Wm. Nye, A. D. Clemett and R. T. Betty. The question of the purchase of a pipe-organ for the Church was again discussed. It was felt that this matter should be undertaken with undivided attention by the whole of this part of the Pariah immediately the property debts are cleared off The sum required for an organ would be about £l5O. This would provide an excellent instrument of the “ Positive ” type, quite powerful enough for All Saints’. The work of the Lay readers came in for special thankful recognition, the opinion being generally expressed that people should make a special effort to attend services conducted by the Readers. Such arduous work, carried but entirely as a labour of love, deserved the most loyal support. During the year Mr W. H. K. Hickson’s help had been lost. Mr Fraser continues his work on alternate Sunday evenings; and Mr C. A. Exall comes over from Shannon on alternate Sunday mornings. Mr ExaU’a help is especially noteworthy as he travels a long distance in order to render it; and the Parish has no claim upon him as a resident. The excessive amount of work that now falls upon the Vicar was commented on. Mr Wilson explained that it is not a question of much work falling upon him; but the serious thing is the amount of work left undone perforce. The meeting felt that the time must not be far off when, if the present rate of growth continues, an assistant clergyman should be sought. On -the motion of the Chairman, the thanks of the Parish was accorded to all the voluntary workers, with especial mention of the Lay readers, Organists, and Choir, Sunday School workers, Ladies’ Sewing Guild, Church Cleaners, Mrs England for care of the altar flowers, and Mr Easton for constant work in lighting and opening the church.