ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 871, 30 January 1879, Page 2

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.

The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Luke's Church was held last evening in Waitaki Hall, and was well attended. Mr. Gifford occupied the chair. The meeting having been opened with prayer, the Chairman explained its object, and referred to the fact that the Secretary (Mr. R. Thompson) was about to be removed from the district, and said that he was certain that although Mr. Thompson was absent, he would not be forgotten. The minutes of previous meeting.having been read and confirmed, the balance-sheet was read, showing ;'< deficiency of L 125 9s 3d, the total receipts for the year having been LlOl2 3s 7d, and the expenditure L 1137 12s lOd. The Chairman explained that the expenditure during the past year had been much heavier than that of the previous year, owing to the Vestry having purchased a parsonage site. He mentioned that the debt on the organ had been cleared oil', anc said that the holders of debentures, amounting to L 175, would require payment shortly. This could partly be me; by calling up some of the promised contributions, and he hoped that those who had not already contributed would do so. The receipts from pew rents had considerably increased from last year. He hoped to see some of the more wealthy member.contribute liberally towards the fund foi completing the church, and mentioned .-■hat the Hon. R. Campbell had promised to contribute liberally towards the erection of a church at Duntroon, and that Mr. W. Fenwick had also promised substantia! aid towards establishing a Church ai Maheno. The balance-sheet was then adopted. The election of oliiee-boarers was ncx; • L'nce- d jil wrh. The Chairman, in nominali-.ig Mr. Joseph Booth as minister's cl?urch. warden, rook occasion to refer to the very greai services rendered by Mr. Sumpter, saying that lie would have had great pleasure in again nominating that gentleman, but he had refused to be re-elected. Dr. Garland was chosen parishioners' churchwarden. It having been decided that the vestrymen should be eight in number, the following gentlemen were elected : Messrs. Medlicott, Allen, Otterson, Kidd, Steward, Williamson, Tempest, and lies. The Chairman stated that he was about to ask for leave of absence, in order to enable him to see his friends in the Old Country, and obtain that increased strength and renewed vigor which travelling begets. Seventeen years had elapsed since he first came to Oamaru, and he felt that he needed a change. To this end he had written to the Bishop, asking him to select some person of standing orders to fill his place during his absence. Votes of thanks were accorded to the church officers in town and country, to the Secretary, and the Chairman, after which the meeting closed with the benediction.