ST ANDREW'S CHURCH PUKEKOHE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 472, 9 May 1919, Page 1

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH PUKEKOHE

Meeting of Parishioners The annual meeting of the parishioners of 8t Andrew's Church (Pukekohe) was held in the Masonic Hall on Monday evening sth inst. The Vicar (the Rev. J. P Cowie), was in the chair, and there was a fair attendance of parishioners of Pukekohe, Buckland and Harrisville. Ihe proceedings opened with prayer. The minutes of last year's annual meeting were read and confirmed The following address was read by the Chairman :

THE YICAH'S ADDRESS

' My Dear Parishioners,-For the first time for five years you are as■embled for your annual meeting without that sense of anxiety which the war occasioned. It is with no slight sense of relief, and with heartfelt thanks to Almighty God that we, as church people, are met this year to consider the affairs of our parish. The districts worked from this centre are Buckland, Harrisville, Pukekohe East, and Puni. Services have been regularly maintained in all these districts during the past year, so far as existing circumstances would permit.

The Bishop's visit.— Owing to the epidemic at the close of last year the confirmation was twice unavoidably postponed; but the Bishop's visit on December 19 brought to us its uMial inspiration.

Finances.—The churchwarden's report will put you in possession of the fac's legarding our financial position. The curtailment of services in November and December, consequent upon the restrictions made by the Health Department, had its effect upon our revenue, but not nearly to so g-eat a degree as would have been the caso had the envelope system not been in vogue. Again the services rendered by the envelope secretary Mr G. Haslam, is deserving of special mention. The epidemic also necessi:ated the abandonment of the Rose Show, which would have been held at the end of November; so that the satisfactory balance sheet, which you will shortly hear read, is all the more creditable, seeing that your vestry had not this usual means to depend upon for the making up of any shortage in revenue. In accordance with the regulations of the Central Fund, adopted by the Synod at is session held in October last, this new scheme of Diocesan finance will come into operation at the end of the present month. Lay Readers —Since September we have been deprived of the services of our senior Lay Reader, Mr J. B. Brown. Severe illness laid him low in November; but we join with his family in our thankfulness for his restoration to some measure of his former health. Mr Brown's illness for a time necessitated our looking to Mr Mu6on for a double share of work ; but since just before Christmas we have been fortunate in obtaining the assistance of Mr J. S Fawcett. Mr 8. Oldfield, also, has kindly come to our aid. Through the faithful ministrations of our Lay Readers, the full complement of Services has been maintained, aud to them our cordial thanks are due.

The Choir. Miss Millicent Taylor and Miss Ivy Duncan have continued to render valuable service as organists during the past year; the latter of whom, in addition to her work at the Parish Church, has given further cheerful assistance by playing at our Services at Pukekohe East and Puni. To the number of voluntary organists should be added the names of Mr J. F. Deane (who has given much help faom time to time) and Miss J. K. Urown (who as Sunday-school organist, has discharged her duties with regularity and punctuality) We are glad to welcome back to the choir two of our former members— Messrs Fred Duncan and Luke Wilson—whit, by plating themselves at the disposal of their King and country, have won their places on our roll of honour. We look forward with interest to the return jf another choir-member (Mr Jack Brown), who is still in the King's uniform. Whilst we greatly appreciate the help given by those choir-members who are so regular in their attendance at Bervicns and practices, we should be glhd of some additional voices. Huuilay School Under the care of a faithful band of teachers, the duriday school has done useful work during the past year. The experiment of holding an afternoon school has, after a year's trial, bpen discontinued since the Christmas holidays, the opinion of the teachers being that the morning school fulfilled present needs.

The Ladies' Guild.—Allowing for comings and goings, our Guild remains at about the same numerical strength as a yoar ago. Tho mernbei h worked nobly for the Sale, wiih was abandoned in consequpi.ioof tho epidemic,-and their service were ably given in connection wit 11 the recent gymkhana, the finan<•l*l result of which will appreciably ease the Bank overdraft. In thanking tho Guild for their work, wo miHt not forget to include the comnntfeo of gentlemen who responded to their appeal for assistance.

New Church —Our New Church fund has not greatly increased during the past twelve months * For two reasons, I am anxious that wo should,

without delay, seriously consider the matter of building a new Church in in stone, brick, or cement. Firstly, that there is a danger that aa time goes on we may forget our sense of at the cessation of hostilities. Are we thankful for peace? Of oourse we are! Then let us show it. Secondly, the time has come when we are in need of a parish hall for Sunday school and other parish organizations. With very little cost, our present Church building oould be made to suit the purpose admirably. But we want the new Church first! Thanks —Our thanks are due to Miss Brown for her care of tbe aljai vases, to the deoorators at the greater festivals, and to all who have in any way helped in the work of the Church.

Conclusion. —Let me take this opportunity of thanking the congregation for their Easter offerings. During the past year we in New Zealand, together with people in many other parts of the Empire, and, we might say, the world, have been through trying times; but in this and surrounding districts the cheerful co-operation of all kinds of people considerably lightened the burdens of many. We congratulate those who have been allowed the joy of welcoming home relatives from the wir, and our sympathy goes out to those who are bereaved That we may become more worthy of fc that peace and prosperity for which we hope, is my great wish. Ihe balance-sheet was then read and adopted. ELICTIOX OK OFFICERS

The Vicar informed the meeting that Mr R fiilkey had consented to remain in office as Vicar's warden for the ensuing year. In making this announcement, the chairman thanked Mr Bilkey for his past loyalty and support. Mr A F Brown was unanimously re elected People's warden.

I: was resolved that the Vestry should consist of seven members, and the following gentlemen were elected : Messrs A. P. Day, W. H. Fausett, J. S. Fawcett, 8. H. Gallagher, Q. Haslam, 0. A. Masters and H. J Kollinson.

Mr H. Bockett was re-appointed auditor.

The subject of building a new church was introduced, and there followed a lively discussion, resulting in the following resolution being carried unanimously, namely, " That it be a recommendation to the incoming vestry to ascertain the probable cost of a suitable church in stone, t rick, or concrete, and report to a meeting of parishioners, called for the purpose, within three months. The usual vote of thanks was passed to lay readers, organists and choir, Sunday School teachers, Ladies' Guild and other church workers.

The following two resolutions, which received unanimous support, then followed : "That this meeting of parishioners congratulates those families of welcoming baok relatives who have served their King and country in the war." " That this meeting of parishioners express its deep sympathy with all those families in thu district who have suffered bereavement during the war."

The meeting closed wiih the .Benediction, after which lofreshments were handed round.