ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 126, 1 May 1925, Page 7

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS. YEAR OF PROGRESS. The annual meeting of parishioners of All Saintfl' Church was held last night, the vicar, Rev. W. Fancourt, presiding over an attendance of nearly 200. The annual report 'of the churchwardens, as already published, was adopted, as was also the balance-sheet. In speaking on the latter, Mr A. Skerman, people’s churchwarden, stated that general offertories were about £l4 less than those of the previous year, while special offertories had also shown a decrease. It had to b 9 remembered that St. Peter’s was now a separate parish. The suatentation fund showed an increase of £l2O, owing to the fact that an energetic collection had been made last spring by several members of the congregations whoso efforts were worthy of groat praise. The envelope receipts wore £2B leas than those of the previous year. In conclusion, the speaker desired to congratulate all on the amounts raised for Church work. Air J. Holmes Runnicles took the opportunity to congratulate the churchwardens on the healthy state of the balance-sheet, stating that Messrs Skerman and Monrad had done excellent work. (Applause).

VICAR’S ANNUAL REPORT. The vicar then presented his annual report, which contained tho following: “My first word must be ono of deep appreciation of tlie great work which my predecessor, Rev. H. G. Blackburne, accomplished in his long term of nine year's in this parish. Under his guidance the parish developed in its concentrative work, and lie war abie to build upou the great work of former vicars. He spent himself absolutely in the service of God, working indefatigably, and has left a wonderfully qrganised parish, with devoted workers, inspired with tho highest motive—the honour and glory of God. Many are the souls who treasure the help ho has given to them. We are glad to hear that he has recovered his health and is able to resume work. To Rev. G. W. Dent I am deeply grateful for guiding and initiating me into the many intricate parts of the work of the parish on my arrival. In his loyal and devoted service, I wish to congratulate him on the splendid results which are manifesting themselves in tho country work, to which I have, more or less, delegated the spiritual charge and responsibility. Also to Sister Hem —suoh a Sister is a valuable asset to any vicar and parish. I cannot tell you how valuable her intimate knowledge of the parish has been to me, and her devoted service and loyalty, together with that, of Miss Bakewell. I am deeply grateful to that pillar of All Saints’, Mr A. Skerman, whose wise counsel, loving friendship and ready help at all times, has been given to a new vicar as it has been available to all the past vicars, and to Mr Mourad, who has so cheerfully given himself to fulfil tha office of vicar’s warden in his busy life? Tho financial side of our work has received valuable help from the finance committee, who considerably augmented our susteutation fund by gaining new subscribers and asking others to increase thsir subscriptions. This aspect of our work, which forced the vestry at the beginning of the year to increase their overdraft at the bank lias been changed. Not only have we met all our ordinary expenditure during the year with an increased assessment, but the vicarage has been renovated, electric lighting placed in tho school buildings, and repairs made thereto, and we have reduced the overdraft and paid off other debt*'. In this we have to thank the Ladies’ Guild and all those who helped in Paddy’s market and placed the parish in a better financial condition. There is still much to be done, as we have some £B6O debt to be extinguished.” After commending the system of the girls’, club and mothers’ union in tithegiving, the report stated that the great and notable event of church work in this town and district during the year was the holding of the missionary exhibition in October. “Wo trust that in this coming year still greater work in supporting the preaching of the Gospel in heathen lands will be forthcoming, and that our people will always respond liberally to the calls that are made. Our Sunday schools maintain their high state of efficiency and attendance. We have a splendid band of teachers, and our Bible classes ore growing in numbers. In tne care and oversight of the country Sunday schools, Mr Dent is being freed from the charge of the senior Sunday school, and Sister Heni is taking that post. _ The choir, under Mr Runnicles 5 careful training, maintains its high state of efficiency. The choir is ono which is de-

votional as well as musical, and it has been always ready to come and give its services when required. Wo deeply appreciate its assistance at the Thursday ter vices in Lent. Mir ,Leonard Drakie distinguished himself in January by his proficiency at the organ, and we know that wo have one who can ably fulfil the post of sub-organ-ist. The parish is fortunate in having such a centre and home for girls as the girls’ club. It is doing a tremendous work wliioh ia most valuable. But what of our men and boys? Here is a glaring deficiency in our work, which must bo filled in. The work amongst men and boys is one of tho most important aspects of Church work. We must have a men’s institute, a building provided with a billiard table and other games, open' every night in the week, to which our men. can come and find rendezvous. I shall never be satisfied until this is accomplished. Some £ISOO would meet the case. . I am glad to say that the C.E.M.S. is taking it up and has asked one of the old members of my late club to come up and address the men of the parish in June. The C.E.M.S. is fulfilling as well aa is possible the work amongst men, and we have one of the best branches in New Zealand. I am indeed proud to be the vicar of a parish whioh possess« and supports a home like All Saints’ Children’s Home. Everything is most satisfactory—we have 56 children in it, and are continually having to refuse applications. During the year Mrs Leigh resigned, and we are grateful to her for all she has done. In her successor, Mrs Wagstaff, we have o very able and experienced matron. The Foxton Home has 22 children. It has been enlarged, the drainage attended to, and the water supply increased. The cost i 3 somewhere about £I2OO, of which Mr Holben obtained in gifts some £6OO. It is now a very fine building, and ono which we may well be proud of. “The country districts are full of enthusiasm and have made great progress. Every one has re-elected strong oommittees, and every one has consented to in-

crease ita assessment so as to have another clergyman on the staff. Your vestry recommended this last year and does so this year. The work cannot possibly be done by two clergy—a third is imperative. The country wilt provide for one assistant at £250 a year. The time is opportune, and we can obtain a young man at least by the end of this year, if the finance is forthcoming. Then we should be able to do something for that important work of visitation of houses. I have delegated the country visitation to Mr Dent, whioh leaves the vioar alone in the town, and the sick and heavy administrative duties in a parish like this more than absorb my time. The pariah records show: Marriages 44, burials 47, baptisms 117, confirmed 100. We have lost some of our chief workers during the year through removals—Mr Clark,Miss M. Wilson, Mrs Wood, Mr and Mrs Buck. We owe a debt of gratitude to our lay readers and those who drive them to the services in their motor cars. I should appreciate gratefully assistance with volunteers for motor service. Mr Len Ax has given faithful sendee in driving the parish car, but I regret to record his discontinuance of that service. OTHER BUSINESS. Following the presentation of his report, Mr Fancourt stated that Mr Monrad had consented to again aot as vicar’s warden. Mr Skernaau was re-elected people's warden. The election of vestrymen resulted in the following being chosen: Messrs J. Ax, X* F. de Berry, H. G. Bagoail, L. M. Abraham, W. O. Caccin Birds, J. Carter, (1. H. Kspiner, W. Corlett, J. L. Harwood and R. X* Robinson. Votes of thanks were accorded the Sunday school teachers, the choir and all other church workers. Mr Arlidge enquired as to the possibility of a Sunday school being erected in the near future on the section owned by the I Church at the comer of Feafcherston and

Kingswood street, and was assured that (he matter would 1 be kept in view. Speaking of the work of the Sunday school teachers, Mr de Berry stated that the parents owed them hearty and sincere thanks for their -wonderful efforts. A tribute to the work of the view was paid by Mr Monrad, who stated that it was a joy to work with. him. Air Fancourt had done excellent service during the short time that he had been _*n Palmerston North, and the speaker wished him and his wife every pleasure and blessing in tho future. In replying, Air Fancourt made eulogistio reference to the great assistance given him by Rev. Dent. In a short speech, tho latter gentleman made a plea for a club for the boys and men, as outlined in the vicar’s report. It was a sad loss to the church, he said, when young inen left. There ought to be a really good men’s club, as it was a/great asset to ’Church life. In connection with visitations, as also touched upon in the vicar’s report, it was impossible to do anything near what should be done, and this state would remain until the services of a third clergyman were obtained. The work among the young people of the church was wonderful indeed, and ho had never seen a more magnificent body of teachers. The speaker paid tribute to the work of . the choir, stating that the devotion of the members was wonderful. He would like to see more intercommunion of the country and town parishes, as there was, in his opinion, not the unity at present that there should be. Supper was handed round during the evening. The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem.