ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 279, 28 April 1914, Page 8

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

AXXUAL MEETING. There was u fair attendance nf pi ■ ■:- ione.rs at the annual meeting nl Mary's Churcli last evening. The vicar, Rev. A. H. Colvile, presided. The annual report stated that the Church wag practically free of debt and that the pa3t year had been a very siiot'cssfnl one. There was a debif balance. of £3O 7s 2d. This would have been almost wiped out if Fitzroy bad paid their full assessment of £l2O, of wV-h tlicy were £25 in arrear. leaving a <1 ? i■ it balance of £5 7s 2d. It was hoped when tin' new curate is appointed the Fit ;"■■■,' and Bell Block Churches will make, spiritual as well as financial progress, Perhaps the most important change in connection with St. Mary's Church was the free seats, which came into effect from October 1. There was a good deal of controversy in regard to this, but tin church wardens could safely -.ay that from the experience of the last six months the regular seat holders had not felt any inconvenience as the result of this movement. It had not been the success hoped for, as regards larger congregations, but the main object aimed at had "been achieved, that of making God's house a house of freedom. Parishioners must be thanked for i iie splendid response to the appeal by (lie vicar and church wardens to clear off the parish debt, amounting to £200; the sum of £45 being handed in by the choir, and the special collection amounted to £l2B, leaving £32 to be drawn from the general account. During November, December and .launary, the vicar exchanged parishes with Mr. fiillam, of St. Matthew's, Anckbaa. who, with Mrs. Gillam, must be thanked for their faithful services rendered to I this parish during their three months' , stay.

The building of the Vogeltown Sumbiy School had not been lost sight of. .mil if wa.i hoped that a new building would be evicted before the next annual meeting. The sum of £llO 18s Sd was now in hand. Thanks was due to Mr. and Mrs. Keal for their kindness in allowing the •se of their residence as a school. Owing to the removal from the district, the vestry had lost the services •f Mr. J. Taylor) who had also been it tower of strength to the choir. Bis place on the vestry was filled by Mr. J. B. Clark, another member of the chair. The vestry also lost the services of the secretary, Mr. H. Stocker, who, through stress of business, had to reBign. His place had been filled by Mr. K. Lash, and Mr. R. fi. Moverley was elected in the place of Mr. J. Harvey, also resigned. The Church has been rather unfortunate in losing the services of two curates —Rev. J. A. Kempthorne and Rev. (!. T. Robuon— botli leaving within sin-h a short period of one another. Mr. Crawshaw, had taken the place of Mr. Robuon, but Mr. Kempthorne's place was still I vacant.

The statement of accounts showed general offertories received, £6OO Os 7(1 (against £G9O 18a 7d for the previous year); special offertories, £320 18k M (£326 8s fid); Church sitting,- £llß lis fid (£239 3s fld) j district offertories, £137 3s lOd ( £IOO Os Id). The receipttotalled £1,624 IDs. The overdraft at the Bank was shown at £3O 7s 2d ( fJft 16s Sd). After a brief discussion, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. : The vicar mentioned that he had so far been unsuccessful in securing tli.i services of a suitable clergyman to take charge of Te ffenui and Bell Block, and asked for the sympathy and prayers of parishioners in his endeavor to iill the position. The vicar made reference to the harmonious relations existing between himself and the choirmaster, and to the hitter's splendid service.

Choir matters formed the subject of considerable discussion, regret expressed at the dearth of applicants and the indiffeernee of the younger generation towards the choir.

Reports relating to the work of the Sunday Schools, the choir, the lay readers and the Boy Scouts were adopted. A committee, consisting of Rev. Crawshaw and Messrs ,T. Paton, W. H. Butler, fl. F. Robinson and S. W. Shaw was appointed to go into the question of providing a suitable building fc the primary department of the Sunday School. It was pointed out that the proprietors of the Brougham Street Hall were treating them very generously in allowing the use of the' hall at a nominal rental, but that the question of providing other accommodation must he faced sooner or later. Oilicers were elected as follows: Vicar's warden, .Mr. -f. Paton; parishioners' warden, Mr. W. 11. Butler (reflected). There were twelve nominations for the ten vacancies on the vestry, the following being elected:—Messrs' G. t. Robinson, E. Lash, B. J. Clark, A. Crooke, H. E. Fookes, C. E. Baker, ]{. Hill-Johnson, C. B. Kyngdon. S. Lush and Hirst. Auditor, Mr. P. C. Morton. The vestry was authorised to fill any vacancy occurring during the year. A resolution was passed expressing regret at the resignation of Bishop Crossley and at the departure of Bishop and Mrs. Crossley from the diocese, aiiii expressing the hope that Dr. Crossley would soon be restored to hcaith.

A resolution was also passed supporting the Bible-in-Sehools movement.

A vote was passed appreeiutive of (lie good work done by .the vicar. The Church officers and nil who h:id assisted in the work of the Church also rf-eeived their meed of thanks.