PARISHIONERS’ MEETING.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 31, 15 May 1924, Page 3

PARISHIONERS’ MEETING.

PUTARURU CHURCH. The annual meeting of the parishioners of the Putaruru Anglican Church was held in the Town Hall last week. The vicar. Rev. W. E. Connolly, presided. There was a failattendance of members. The election of officers for the ensuing year re suited as follows:—Vicar’s warden, Mr- M. McDermott; people’s warden, Mr. W. Brown; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Martin; general committee, Mesdames Howland, Martin, Miss K. Strugnell, Messrs. H. Pearse end J. Barnes.

The balance-.sheet of the Matamata parish was read and showed a credit balance of £4 0s sd. Mr. Lochhead brought before the vicar and the members of the Matamata vestry the urgent necessity of holding services in the different outcentres of .the Putaruru end of the parish, such as Waotu, Acapuni, Puketurua, Te Whetu, Seiwyn, Ongaroto, Mokai and Tokoroa. He stated that owing to the large area covered by the Matamata parish it was impossible for one man to work it, and he asked what method had to be adopted to have a clergyman appointed to Putaruru. Referring to the balance-sheet, Mr. Lochhead pointed out that the Ladies’ Guild had gathered and paid out sums of money for the interest, organ and motor car funds, and although the balance-sheet 9Z5 Ml’iAV n.m.n?}nj paqipa.io Xjuo lOd considerably more than £IOO had been found by the Putaruru people. Messrs. McDermott and J. Martin spoke in support of Mr. Lochhead’s statement.

The vicar in reply stated that the vestry must approach the bishop with some tangible scheme before the proposal to establish a man at this end of the parish would or would not be entertained, and stated the figure required to keep a clergyman at Putaruru.

On the motion of the vicar a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Ladies’ Guild, to whom he paid a compliment for their zeal in furthering church work in the district. A similar vote to the Sunday School teachers and the retiring committee was carried by acclamation.

I-t was resolved that the outlying districts of the Putaruru end of the parish be written to asking them if they would guarantee a fund annually to support a clergyman if stationed in Putaruru to work this end. PRESENTATION TO VICAR.

At the conclusion Mr. J. Martin, on behalf of the members of the Church of England in Putaruru, then presented the vicar with a present from the congregation in honour of his marriage, and extended to the vicar on their behalf all good wishes for a happy married life. The vicar, in thanking the people of Putaruru foii their kindness, stated that both Mrs? Connolly and himself would appreciate their gift and would welcome any member who might be visiting Matamata at any time.

Real ly cheers were given for the vicar and his wife. The Ladies’ Guild then handed round refreshments, and the meeting closed with the customary vote to the chair.