ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2532, 3 May 1881, Page 2

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

SECOND EDITION

The annual parish meeting of St. Gary's Church, Timaru, was held' last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall,Sophia street.

The Yen. Archdeacon Harper read a lengthy report. It stated, after referring to the number of services held during the past year, that there had been 18 marriages, 46 burials, and 27 persons confirmed ; and that the Sunday Schools of the parish was very satisfac tory. The usual prizess, the report continued, for punctual attendance and general merit, together with the Bishop’s certificates, will be distributed in about a fortnight’s time. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the teachers who have given so much hearty effort to their work, which is of the greatest importance to the welfare of the parish. Valuable work has also been done by the ladies who act as district visitors,and by Mr R. Turnbull and Mr E, H. Tate, who assist me in visiting the hospital and the gaol. “ Satisfactory progaess has been made with the new church building so far as the contract was concerned. The foundation stone was laid by the Very Rev the Dean of Christchurch, Sept. 9th, amid a large concourse of people, the ceremony being followed by a most successful soiree, and in Nov. by a bazaar in aid of the Building Fund, which realised a largo sum, and gave general satisfaction. The heartiest thanks of the parishioners are due to the ladies and gentlemen who arranged and carried out these undertakings so effectually. The contract for the foundations and lower courses of tower and nave, was completed in January by Mr W. McGill, to the entire satisfaction of the Building Committee. Since then a, second contractor for the walls of the nave was entered into with another contractor, but a difference having arisen between him and the architect as to the quality of the work and stone, the matter was referred to a Court of Arbitration, its decision being against the contractor on all points, with the exception of an award to him of £lO, for delay on part of the architect in regard to certain plans. Since then the contractor has cancelled his contract with the Committee, the Committee having purchased from him the materials he had obtained for the work. It now remains to call for fresh tenders, but it is to be regretted that in this manner considerable time has been lost, whilst the building fund has suffered some little loss.

The report continued that the following gentlemen had been duly elected to serve as Synodstnen for this parish during the ensuing session of synod:—Mr Beifield Woollcombe and Mr C. W. Eichbaura. The balance sheet was read and showed a sura of £l3O 12s 6d remaining to the credit of the building fund, with subscriptions it was added, that might be safely reckoned on to the amount of £9OO.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of a churchwarden for the ensuing year, and ten vestrymen was then proceeded with, and resulted in the election of Mr A. Christophers as churchwarden, and Messrs F. LeCren, J. Shepherd, P. B. Raymond, E, H. Tate, E. B. Wethey, R. B. Walcot, B. Woollcombe, E. G. Stericker, R. Proctor, and H. W. Hammond, as vestrymen.

The Church Building Committee, Messrs Goodall, Raymond, Wright, Proctor,and Woollcombe were re-elected together with the Incumbent and churchwardens ex officio. The meeting shortly afterwards terminated.