ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1544, 29 April 1916, Page 2

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONRRS. The annual meeting of the parishioners of All Saints’ parochial district was heid in the schoolroom on Thursday evening-. The vicar, Rev W. Raine,presidedover only a moderate attendance of parishioners. The vicar, in his annual report, after referring to personal matters and the decrease in the attendances at services, went on : Sundayschool ; Here again there is a decrease in the number of children coining to the school. Have we realised the importance of this work? No nation can expect to be great if its children are not being trained in the fear of God. And in New Zealand this is practically our only means of training them, so I appeal to all parents to send their children to school regularly and punctually. I cannot express sufficiently my thanks to Mr Crowe and bis family—for they are our only teachers—for the noble work they are doing. Owing to Mrs Mohekey's inability to continue tiie school at Maroliri, the school there has lapsed ; for this I am particularly SOITV.

The Ladies' Guild : We are under a great debt to Hie ladies . (Unsuccessful limuieial position is due to their self-sacrificing labours. They have done magnificent work, and I trust the present year will be equally successful. The Guild meets every Tuesday afternoon, and the members will welcome right heartily

any new-comers. The I;i v rcadcr- : 1 acknowledge my deep indebtedness to one layreaders. Owing to my absence in camp lort wo months, they were called upon to do a great deal of work, and they did it well. 1 regret to have to report the loss of two of them. Mr Kent-. Johnston and his family have moved to Otahuhu, where Mr Kent-Johnston has been appointed town clerk. They gave great assistance to the church during their stay with ns, and I wish them (‘very success in their new life and home. Mr llollington, who has been with us for many years, is by this time at the front, lie took a great interest in the church, for besides being a layreader, he was secretary of our branch of the C.E.AI.S —who gave him a farewell —and also an excellent member of the choir. AVe wish him a safe return after duty well done. The C.E.M.S. : Our branch has been in a state of abeyance for the past six mouths. 1 hope it will become an active body again now that the winter mouths are here. Choir ; I am grateful to every member of the choir for the way they maintain our singing for a small church . I think our services arc well rendered. To Mr Betty we owe a great debt for his interest and help. AVe make a great demand on Ids lime, which he gives so willingly. Miss -leaks lias left us, and she was married a few weeks ago, and we wish her a happy home life. Miss Betty lias taken her place. The A’e.-try : Here again I have to report the leaving of some of our members. Mr Boyes, who has been vicar's warden for four years, lias taken up Ids abode in AA’anganui. Both he and Airs Boyes have rendered yoemaii service during the time they sojourned with ns. AA’e extend our best wishes (o them. Air Kirkley also heard the Empire’s call, and is probably now somewhere at the front. AA’e hope he will return safely. 1 feel I must hear record at our pleasure that Air Easton has come hack with almost his wonted vigour after his serious illness and operation. I hope he may he long spared Vo continue his assistance to the church in which he 'has always taken such an interest. I cannon leave this section without expressing my thanks to Air Kellmv for the very valuable work he has done, and particularly for taking up the duties of vicar's warden after Air Boyes’ departure.

Reference was also made in the. reporl to (he great straggle in which the Empire is engaged.

Mr A. .1. Kellow, avlio tins acted temporarily as vicar's warden for the last few month*, read the bal-ance-sheet, which disclosed a. very satisfactory condition of things. He pointed out that the ordinary offertories showed a slight increase compared with last year, while the special offertories showed a slight decrease. This, however, was altnosi compensated for by the half proceeds of the Children’s Ball, which were given to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Altogether over £l4 has been 1 given by the church to this fund. It is satisfactory to note that (he subscriptions maintain a high level. The vicar announced that Mr C. A. C. Preston had consented to be his warden for the ensuing year. The announcement was received with applause. Only one nomination was received for the office of parishioners’ warden, that, of Mr A. S. Easton, who Avas elected Avith acclamation. The Chairman pointed out that Air Easton had occupied the position, for oyer thirty years, and that his Interest in the Church was uru abated. .The following gentlemen were elected vestrymen : Messrs Alf, Fraser, C. H. Symons, R. T. Betty, P. Robinson, A. J. Kclloav, C. Guilder, A. Crowe, S. B. Collins, and 1C Turkington. It av;\s decided, subject to his consent, to ask Mr F. Symes to accept the position of auditor. A discussion took place with regard to the Children’s Ball, and it Avas decided to do as was done last year : that is,to hold the Bull and donate half the proceeds to the' Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. Some time ago, at a meeting of

parishioners, it was decided to inaugurate a free-will offering scheme. The meeting endorsed (■he idea, and Mr A. J. Kcllow volunteered to act as secretary to the meeting, which oiler was enthusiastically received. This concluded the business, after which a short but pleasant social evening was spent. Songs were given by Mrs Freeman and Mr J. Aitken. The ladies had thoughtfully provided refreshments, after partaking of which the meeting closed.