S. PAULS CHURCH.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2788, 10 May 1911, Page 3

S. PAULS CHURCH.

PARISHIONERS' ANNUAL

MEETING.

The annual meeting of parishioners of iS. Paul's Church was held in the Parish Hall on Monday evening. The Vicar (Rev. J. P. Cowie) occupied the chair, and there were also present Dr Smith and Mr H. 0. Searle (church wardens); of the vestry, Messrs Bromwich and Harp (secretary); and a good number of parishioners. The meeting was opened with prayer. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was read by ihe chairman as follows :— "The Vestry.—The personnel of ;he vestry with due exception has remained the same throughout the past ♦ welve months. Towards the close of last year 'Mr Croft was appointed to the vacant place caused through the departure ol Mr Pike for the Thames.

" Finances.—Our financial position at March 31st, igir,' as compared with that of the year before gives no cause for misgiving. A quite unusual strain was put upon our resources during 19 10. Nearly was subscribed straight out on account of the purchase of the church site, whilst the General Mission was also an extraordinary liability. Wiih two exceptions the liabilities standing upon our last year's balance-sheet have been materially reduced, and this without any special assistance from sale ot work, etc., but this position is la-gely due to the watchful care oi the secretary. The interest due on the vica-age loan

is somewhat in excess of what it was twelve months ago, but as the Karangahake vestry has a movement in hand to clear off their arrears oi interest, there

is good reason to believe that at an early date the interest will be extinguished and that the proceeds of our own sale of work will enable us to further reduce the loan of " The Communion Vessels' Fund now amounts to £S> 8s 3d. " The New Church Building Fund shows the modest sum of As ibe kahikatea borer is very active, it is well for us to remember the existence of this fund, and to steadily build it up.

"Lay Readers.—ln the absence of the Vicar from the Parish Church valuable assistance has been rendered by Dr Smith, Mr Harp, and Mr A. M. Jones, to whom the cordial thanks of the parishioners is clue.

" "The Choir.-—During the past iwelve months valuable assistance has also been given at the organ by Misses Meclhurst, Coote, Vuglar and Wood?. The choir under the direction of iheir

respected choirmaster, Mr R. W. Evans, carried out their important work with much credit. On March 3rd, Mr Evans, at his own inquest, was relieved of the duties of choirmaster, upon the arrival of Mr T. E. Midgley, whom we welcome, from S. Paul's, Auckland, as our organist and choirmaster. "The Sunday School.—With a full complement of teachers, the Sunday School has continued its useful work during the past year. . " C.E.M.S. — The formation of a branch of this world-wide society in Paeroa has already resulted in much assistance being given in church work by the men in this parish. " Removal of Vicarage. — The time has come when it is necessary for the parishioners to take into serious consideration the removal of the vicarage house to a more central position. " Thanks. —Votes of thanks are out of place when we recognise to Whose glory our work is done ; but we gratefully acknowledge the self-denying efforts of our most active helpers, and the important assistance rendered by the proprietor of the Ohinemuri Gazette for his careful and full accounts of parochial events." The balance-sheet was read by the secretary, and, with the report, was adopted. CHURCH OFFICERS. The Vicar re-appointed Dr Gilbert Smith as his warden, and Mr H. O. Searle was re-elected people's warden. * The following were elected vestrymen :

—Messrs K. Atkinson, H. R. Bush, Croft, Ellis, Foster, A. J. Thorp, and G. W. Woods. Mr R. .W. Evans was reappointed auditor. After the Benediction had been pronounced, "God save the King■" was sung, and light .lefreshments were handed round.