ST. MARY'S CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 289, 26 April 1911, Page 5

ST. MARY'S CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING. The Rev. J. Wilkinson presided over an attendance of about seventy-five at the annual meeting of parishioners of St. Mary's Church in St. Mary's Hall last night. Before proceeding with the business, he referred to the fact that it was an important day in the history of the church, in that the newly appointed Bishop of the Diocese had been consecrated. He moved that the following message be sent to his Lordship: "That the annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, most heartily welcome you amongst us, and pray that God may guide and bless you in your work."—i The resolution was at once telegraphed. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, the report being as follows: "The general offertories and other sources of revenue have more than maintained the level of former years, whilst the special offertories, such a* Mclanesian, Home and Maori Missions, Country Clergy and Debt Reduction, etc., show an advance on the totals ol recent years. There has been a corresponding reduction in the expenditure, owing principally to the work of secretary and treasurer, duties of verger and church cleaning, having been undertaken by volunteers from the congregation. The sum of £145 has been paid off the parish debt, which now stands at £4OO, made up of £2OO still owing on the vicarage ( £75 was paid off this debt during the year) and £2OO on organ. The interest on the latter sum is now met by funds raised by the choir. A floating debt of £22 'on' the mission room at Moturoa has also been liquidated, and the installation of the electric light at St. Mary's has been completed, and the cash is in hand to meet the balance owing on this contract." Other liabilities appearing in last year's bal-ance-sheet which will now disappear are: Church Building Fund £SO, Bell Block debt £25, and liability on electric light contract £32. On the 31st December the Rev. F. G. Evans, rural dean and vicar of St. Mary's for the past fourteen years, resigned his position owing to continued ill-health. Mr. Evans' announcement of his intention to retire was received with regret by the congregation amongst whom he had ministeren conscientiously for so many years. The announcement, however, that Mr. and Mrs. Evans intend to remain in New Plymouth has caused general satisfaction. In Mrs. Evans the congregation maintain a link with Archdeacon Govett, the venerated pastor who so faitlifully ministered for over fifty years in this district, and whose memory will be ever cherished as one of the great founders of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. On Ist January, 1911, the Rev. J. Wilkinson was appointed to take the temporary charge of the parish pending the appointment of a new vicar in the place of the Rev. F. G. Evans, resigned. Mr. Wilkinson has been loyally supported by the Rev. J. A. Kempthorne, and a faithful band of lay readers, and the parish work has been carried on with gratifying efficiency. We have been informed by the nominators that they have nothing definite to report with regard to the appointment of a new vicar. Fortunately, however, as stated above, the parish is being extremely well served hy the two clergymen named and lay help, so there is no need for the nominates to be hurried in making their selection. Thanks.—The thanks of the congregation are given to the superintendents and teachers of the several Sunday schools, all lay readers, the members of St. Mary's Guild, the choir 3 throughout the parish, the collectors for the Parish fund, Maori Mission, Back Block Mission, and other organisations, and all those who give their time to the cleaning and keeping in order of the churches and church grounds.

The Back Blocks fund, known as the Govett-Brown, and Bolland Memorial Fund, showed the balance in hand at April Ist, 1910, was £IBO7 4s 3d. Donations, £224 10s Bd, and interest £9O 5a 3d, brought the total receipts to £2182 0s 2d. During the year stipends had been paid amounting to £9O, leaving a balance on April Ist, 1911, of £2092 0s 2d.

The vicar announced that he had chosen Mr. J. Paton as his warden for the ensuing year. Mr. C. E. Baker was elected people's warden. It was resolved that the number of vestrymen be nine. There were elevei nominations, nnd the following were elected: Messrs. H. M. Bannister, Wm. H. Butler, John Cook, W. I'. Crawford, H. E. Fookcs, E. W. Garner, J. W. Harvey, S. Lush, and \Y. H. Skinner. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring auditor, Mr. P. C. Morton, who was re-elected to the position. The chairman stated that 500 copies of the Church Magazine were printed, and only 450 subscribed for. He asked that the matter receive earnest consideration.

A hcary vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. F. G. Evans for his services during the last fourteen years, and it was also resolved that the name of Mrs. Evans be coupled with the resolution in recognition of her work in the parish. The question of the removal of the small columns attached to the main pillars in the church came up for discussion. A resolution was proposed by Mr. J. Paton that they be reduced to three-quarter size and piaced flat against the main pillars. An amendment was proposed by Mr. W. H. Skinner that they be replaced at once under the direction of the lion, architect, Mr. F. Messenger. Finally it was decided, on the motion of Mr. J. Hirst, that the question of the removal of the columns be referred to the hon. architect. The chairman referred to the work of the outgoing vestry and church wardens, and also to the band of lay readers, who undertook work at short notice at considerable self-sacrifice. He also spoke very highly of the work of his colleague, the Rev. J. H. Kempthorne, whose services he appreciated. Mr. H. E. Fookes, on behalf of the congregation, referred to the able work being carried on by the Rev. J. Wilkinson, the remarks being greeted with applause.

SUNDAY SCHOOL. The report of St. Mary's Sunday School was presented by Mr. S. W. Shaw, superintendent, as follows: The total number of scholars on the roll on the 31st March, 1011, was 332, of which 110 attend morning school. The growth of the latter under the supervision of Miss Devenish is one of the features of the year. A condition of children attending morning service is that they afterwards attend a portion of divine sen-ice at St. Mary's and in the carrying out of this necessary and valuable rule, the assistance of parents is earnestly solicited. Unless our children are accustomed and trained to attend the services of the church, it cannot be expected that the latter will flourish in the future. Our annual bulb and spring flower show was held early in September last, and was in every wav a success, the net proceeds being £ls, which sum has been added to our reserve building fund. The annual picnic was held in January, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all, a result for which wo are largely indebted to Mr. J. Frcethey, who most kindly allowed us to use his beautiful grounds at Frank-

Leigh Park. The annual distribution of prizes took place in St. Mary's Hal) in March, and advantage of the occasion was taken to make a presentation from the teachers and scholars to our retiring vicar, the Rev. F. G. Evans, and Mrs. Evans, who, I am pleased to say, is still continuing her valuable work as teacher of, the Bible class. The valuable work of catechising and addressing the scholars so long carried on by Mr. Evans, is being continued by' Mr. Wilkinson, whose teachers' preparation class is also much valued and appreciated. During the year a branch school has been opened at Vogeltown by Mrs. Dabb, and under her fostering care it may confidently be expected to flourish and prosper. In conclusion, I have to thank the teacher* and all others who assisted in the work of the school. The report was adopted.