ST. MARY'S PARISH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 81, 1 May 1909, Page 6

ST. MARY'S PARISH

AN.NTAL MEETING. ' There was a fair attendance at Hie aunuul meeting of St. -Mary's parishioners on Thursday, Kcv. I>\" G. Evans presiding. Xlie annual reports were read. The vestry's report, dealing ivitli finance, stated that they began the year with a credit of £39 2s 2d, and this Had been increased to £OB Is Od at March 31st, 1909. Duriug the current year there would he several items of expenditure .wfhich must be faced, and it was shown conclusively year after year that tne ordinary income only just covered ordinary expenditure, so that parishioners must be prepared either to raise the additional funds required for special objects by special efforts, or t<> allow the church property to get into a state of disrepair or inefficiency. The vestry was strongly of opinion that works should not be undertaken until the money was in hand to carry them out. in ellecting some repairs to the floor it was found that Uooring joists were badly affected with the worm. It was considered that the flooring should be replaced in the future by concrete, with or without tiles, or asphalt. This could be done in sections, and w>t necessarily all at one time. A safe had been placed in the vestry, in which to keep registers, etc. The money with which this was bought was bequeathed by the late Colonel Stapp many years ago. The following works required to he carried out during the present yean—The vicarage panted, the window' in the west end of the church repaired and all outside work painted, and the gas-meter rehoused and painted. The whole utitside stone work needed to be gone over and re-pointed where necessary. This was most important, as there were many creficcs into which the ivy had grown a foot or two, and on the top of the south wall several stones were loosened and out of position. The ironwork in the front fence needed to be rc-painted. The ventilation question had been gone into, but nothing could be done at present, for want of funds. It was thought that us the cost of getting ventilators lixed would be very considerable and the result.doubtful" it would be better to instal the electric light for use in summer, as the heat would be reduced by so doing. A considerable amount of work had been carried out in the Sunday school buildings, making classrooms. This 'had been done by the Sunday school at their own expense, 'file iden to be kept in view with regard to these buildings is to build up a fund for the erection in the future of a brick and concrete school.

Reports from the Sunday School, Schoolroom Committee, Ohurch Guilu, and the Western district were very satisfactory. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts were £ISOO 10s 3d, and the expenditure £1438 9s 3d, leaving a credit balance of £UB Is. The ge-Acral offertories lor the year amounted to

;£505 12s 4d, the special offertories £192 Oh sd, and the district church collections £l9l Is sd. Donations amounted to

It was decided to recommend the new Vestry to improve the ventilation as suggested in the report. The vicar nominated Mr. George. Kimbell as his churchwarden during the insuing year. Mr. W. 11. Skinner was appointed parishioners' churchwarden. Vestrymen were elected: Messrs. S. Lush.'Frank Wilson, J. Pa ton, Bannister, C E. Baker. Stnnlev Shaw, .1. Cook, P. S. Whilcombe. anil 11. Fookes. Mr. P. (.'. "Morton was re-elected auditor. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to him for his past services.