PARISH MEETING.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 31, 16 April 1907, Page 5

PARISH MEETING.

The annual parish meeting in connection with St. Peter'* Church, held in the Schoolroom on Friday evening, was attended by about forty-five members of the congregation. Rev. Mr Stace presided, and after the opening hymn and prayer he asked the Wardens to submit thoir reports on the year's work. Mr Yenimoro read the minutes of the last annual meeting, and Mr Gorrie read the following report and balance sheet, which were unanimously approved and adopted.—

We, the Churchwardens and Vestry of St. Peter's Church, in resigning our several offices have the pleasure of submitting the following report, together with balance sheet of receipts and expenditure for the past year, for your consideration and approval. In doing so, it is gratifying to note the steady progress that has been made in Church work generally, For instance, taking the financial aspect of the whole of this district under the charge of our esteemed Clergyman, a considerable advance has been made during the last year, as shewn bv the large amount of money that has been raised for the advancement of Christianity in the several parts under his ministration. Canvastown and the Rai Valley are working in earnest, the former to obtain funds for the erection of a new edifice to replace the old Church of St. Paul's, and the latter to erect a building for Divine Service on a block of land kindly given by Mr Seymour, in a most suitable situation; the funds collected for this purpose during the year amount to about £z6 at the Rai and £sl 7s Gd, at Canvastown, by sale of work, due largely to the ladies' efforts. The Sounds also are working in the same liberal spirit by contributing from their purse towards the launch sustenation fund, and [extending their welcome to our Minister; the settlers are affording great encouragement to him in his good work—a work which we trust, with God's help, will go on and prosper to such an extent that in clue time it will enable him to procure the much-needed help of a Curate, so that the visitations may be more frequent and no portion neglected.

In referring to the balance sheet before you it will be seen that through the steady and constant attention of the Rev. Mr Stace to the whole of his wide sphere of work, the Stipend Fund has increased to a much larger sum than any previous year since the establishment of a Church in Havelock. Of course this must be attributed to the Divine blessing attending his arduous work, but at the same time we believe a work of love,

We must refer without ostentation to the large amount of money that has been raised for various purposes in connection with Church work in Havelock—notably to the result of the last Bazaar, which realised oyer £7O, and £4O collected throughout the district for enabling our Minister to ride or drive where duty calls him. With the first item we have been enabled to pay off 5s towards the debt on the Church building and £9 off the Vicarage debt; and after paying all current expenses we have a balance for the new year of over £l2 ; and with the second item a horse has been purchased, new-harness procured, and the sulky repaired and painted, We might mention, in connection with the year's work, that his Lordship Bishop Mules paid us a visit, holding Confirmation Services at which the rite was conferred on twenty candidates. Also, that the old Church, which had stood for nearly forty years, was destroyed by fire last New Year's Eve, cause not traced; thanks to our Fire Brigade the new building was saved with little damage, and that covered by insurance.

Special thanks are due to the ladies of the Guild for their untiring efforts in making the last Bazaar such a decided success. Nor must we forget the ready help given by our friends of the sterner sex who assisted to put such life into the affair. Severally and collectively our gratitude is clue to those many who have " put their shoulders to the wheel " for the improvement of the Church ground, and rendered willing help where needed,

The Church Choir have lost most useful help during the past year, and, like a ship without a rudder, are left without a Choirmaster to guide them. Mr Ward, our late Schoolmaster, took special interest in the music of the Church, and his loss is felt severely. Also may be mentioned Mrs Adams and Mr Stansfield, both useful Choir members. Others who have joined will help to repair our losses, but still there is room for more, especially male voices. Amongst others who by circumstances have been called away may be noted our worthy late People's Churchwarden, Mr A. Adams, who for many, years held that responsible office most efficiently; and Dr and Mrs Bartlett, who were always ready to give substantial help in Church work. In conclusion, we thank all those who have taken an interest in Sunday School work, and we look forward to the time when funds will be accumulated sufficient to erect a building suitable for efficiently carrying on the work of training the children to our Great Master's services, and that willing helpers will come forward to assist in the cause. V, C. Venimore Minister's Warden J, D, Gorrie, People's. Warden.

In briefly commenting upon the year's work the Rev. Mr Stace stated that he had been three years in the district, and he was very glad to say that during that time Church matters had forged steadily ahead. An old lady friend of his—a worthy member of the Methodist Church in the southern part of the Island—onco said to him that the Methodist Church system of appointing their Ministers for three years only was the best, " because," said she, "during the first year a Minister is idolised, the second year he is criticised, and the third year be is scandalised!" (Laughter). However, he did not want to leave just yet, and he hoped to be spared amongst them for some time. .Dealing with the work in the Sounds, Mr Stace said that thanks to the efforts of Messrs H. H. Harris and D. Foofce funds were coming in for Church work there, and they would soon be in a position to get a clergyman to take over the work in the Sounds. The speaker then referred to the losses the Church had sustained during the year through the departure of active workers, and he thanked the Vestry and Waidens for their help and sympathy in his After about twelve years' experience of Church work he had no desire for a change; there was, perhaps, a certain amount of self-sacrifice in the work, but there was that iu most spheres of labour. He referred to the fact that Mrs Irwin had taken over the superintendence of the Sunday School, and hoped parents would assist by sending the children to school. In conclusion, he heartily thanked Mr G. Cawte and Mr Hollis Hill for their very great assistance in taking the services at various times; he also thanked Mr W. Matthews for his gratuitous services as Auditor.

The election of Church officials then proceeded. Mr Stace re-appointed Mr Venimore as Minister's Churchwarden, Mr Gorrie was elected People's Warden, and the following were elected as Vestrymen;—Messrs Reader, R. Price, Irwin, C. Smith, King, Buckman, Hayden, Pickering, and Browulee. This concluded the business, and the ladies then handed round supper provided by themselves, for which they were heartily thanked.

Songs were contributed by Mrs Irwin, Mrs Stace, and Mr Irwin.

RECEIPTS. £ s - d. 1 s. d. Balance in hand from last year S 10 '3 Offertories for quarters ending— 30th June 32 5 0 30th September .. 34 4 " 31st December .. 33 5 6 31st March 38 2 2 —137 17 6 Offertories--General Church Fund, August .. 0 4 6 Ditto, February .. 0 8 0 Melan'sian Mission 0 7 6 Maori Mission .. 0 6 8 — 1 0 8 Donations to Stipend Fund for quarters ending— 30th June 3 0 0 30th'September .. 4 10 0 31st December .. 1 10 0 31st March 12 10 0 St. Paul's, Canvastown, guarantee .. 30 0 0 — 51 10 0 Drawn from Building Fund 15 11 6 Proceeds from sale of work 70 14 0 Donation to general expenses 1 0 0 — 87 5 6 Surplice fees .. 8 15 0 ,£295 4 11 EXPENDITURE. / s.' d. £ s. d. Minister's stipend 189 7 6 Verger 4 16 0 Lighting 2 iG 4 Insurance 1 7 8 Printing aud advertising 0 3 0 — 930 Repairs to ChurchHanging bell, &c 5 0 0 Organ, completion of payment .. 7 10 0 .— — 12 17 0 Offertories— General Church Fund 0 12 6 Melan'sian Mission 0 7 6 Maori Mission .. 0 C 8 - 1 6 S Surplice fees paid to Pension Fund S is 0 Stamps and stationery 0 4 10 1 Donation to Building Fund 47 5 0 Town rates 3 3 9 Fencing 1 10 0 Paid off Vicarage Loan 9 0 0 Rent for Library room, annual meeting .. 0 7 6 Balance in Bank 11 15 9 In hand 0 8 11 1 - 73 15 9 £295 4 " V. C. Venimore 1 ChurchJ, D. Gorkie, ) wardens. W. K. Matthews, Auditor.