PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 908, 22 October 1910, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual congregational meeting ol the Prosbylci ian Church was held on Thursday night. Thete was a lepresenUilive gathering present, and the Rev Mr Ailken presided. The chairman reviewed the year’s work throughout the district, and slated that, while good progress had been made financially and in other directions, there was room for improvement in the attendances at the church services and week night meeting. He then read the kirk session report, which stated, inter alia, that during the year the charge had been raised to a fully sanctioned status. Twelve persons had been admitted into membership, while four had received certificates of disjunction. Nine baptisms had been celebrated, and four marriages performed. There had been 44 communicants at the ordinance ot the Cord’s Supper, Sunday school scholars numbered 143, with an average attendance of 100. There were five male and nine female teachers. Pleasure was expressed that a movement was afoot to erect a brass tablet in the Foxton church to the memory’ of the late Rev Jas. Duncan, the first minister of the charge. The Sunday school report reviewed the work for the year, and the finances disclosed a credit-balance of £2 19s 2^d. Parents were urged to encourage their children to regularity in attendance.

Mr Claris, secretary, presented the annual report and balancesheet. It was reported that the finances showed a decided improvement on the previous year, which was in a large measure due to the envelope system, which the report suggested should be adopted by other members and adherents. A section has been obtained at the beach, whereon it is proposed to erect a cottage manse. The erection of a class-room and vestry has been decided upon, and the greater part of the money for this purpose has been promised. The financial position disclosed a credit balance in hand.

The reports were received and adopted. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee of management: Messrs Claris (secretary), Parkes (treasurer), Gibbs, J. Ross, T. Henderson, A. McCall, and Messrs Alex. Speirs and Hornblow ex-officio.

Votes of thanks and eulogistic references were passed t o the choir master (Mr Wrigley), choir, organist (Miss Furrie), Sunday school staff, and office bearers. A special vote, appreciative of the work of the Rev G. K. Aitken was carried unanimously, and suitably acknowledged. Other minor matters were discussed, and the meeting closed with the benediction.