ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1917, Page 8

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

IAfIfXIUAL MEETING OP PARISHIONERS. The annual meeting of parishioners of St; Mary's 'Church was held in St. Mary's Hall last night, Rev. KG.'Harvie presiding over a fair attendance. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated, inter alia, the chief events of the past year had been the resignation of the Rev. A. H. Colvile as Vicar of the Parish, and the appointment of the Rev. K fi. Harvie, of Terrace End, Palmerston N., as his successor. In September last Mr. Colvile left for Tasmania to assist in the conduct of a. Mission, and was absent about eight weeks. During the time lie was away he was nominated to the vacant Cure of St. Sepulchre's Parish, Auckland, and on his return to the Dominion lie accepted the position. During the five years of his ministry the Parish made marked progress, and parishioners, while deeply regretting his departure, will long remember his eloquence as a preacher and value his ministrations and sympathy, especially to the sick and sorrowing. Mrs. Colvile was a very real helpmate to her husband, and ?>v her quiet work and sympathy endeared herself to a wide circle of friends. Prior to their departure for Auckland they were farewelled and presented by the parishioners with a purse of sovereigns, and they left for their new home carrying with them the best wishes of the parishioners for their future welfare.

The Rev. P. G. Harvie, accompanied by his wife and family, arrived cn. the litli inst. A social was held on the 19th inst. at which they were formally welcomed amongst us, and on the 20th inst. he was inducted as Vicar of the Parish, and has now entered upon the duties appertaining to that office. The Vestry confidently bespeak for him the same loyal support as was accorded his predecessors. As the Parish is without the serviees of a Curate, parishioners are asked to make due allowance and to be less exacting in their claims upon his services and visitations.

Tiie Rev. E. C. Cook resigned his position as Curate to go into eamn in August last, much to the regret of both Vestry and parishioners. During May last services of dedication were hold in connection with the new stone alter in memory of the Rev. Wm l Bnllaiul the unveiling of the new memorial windows to the late Mr. Clement William Govett, and also i\i connection with depositing it in the church the co'iora of the Tarinaki Volunteers and Militia. At all the servi-es most impressive am! eloquent addresses we re rriven bv the Vicar. " I'enefactior.a to the elmreh.— I The Grateful thanks of the parishioners nre due the following donors:—To Miss Devonish, for a gift of £IOO, being proceeds of the sale by her of flowers of the Liiy of the Valley; the terms of the gift beine that the money is to be invested by the parochial trustees until it has increased to £'2oo, when the interest from same is to he divided between St. Mary's Sundav School and the Maori Mission. The handsome Mosaic panels which add so greatly to the appearance of the Bolland Memorial Altar Were aiso the gift of Miss Dover.ish. To Mrs. Freeth wc arc Indebted for a generous donation of £2O, given with the object of providing a new earpet in the chancel, which was so badly needed. To Mrs. Col vile, senior (the late Vicar"? mother), for the gift of the altar cross, which has been placed ill the Chanel of All Saints. The treasurer of St Mary's Sunday School also wishes to acknowledge, with thanks, donations towards the "school building fund from the following:—Misses Hempton and Evans,; Colonel Messenger and Messrs. W. H. Skinner and -Buri-oucha. •Sunday School Building Fund.--In November last the Ladies' Guild, under tho leadership of Mrs. Crooke, held a very sucecsful sale of work, which resulted in the sum of £IOO being added to the fund. A memorial to the Taranaki Volunteers who fell in the Maori War, which was originally placed in the Old Drill Hall, has recently "Tieen removed and re-erected outside the west end of our church, where it will fittingly perpetuate the memory of-those who lost their lives in defence of our town and the then small community of settlers. Finance.—The debit balance of last year, which was due to enlarging tho vestry, and re-roofiing the church, has been reduced to £265. This lias been effected principally by not having to pay the stipend of a Curate during a portion of the year, but the reduction is not so great as the veslry could wish. The latter are of opinion that a special effort should be made during the present year to place the finances of the parish on a thoroughly sound basis by increasing the revenue —by either an increase in the annual donations or the extension of the envelope system. C.Fi.M.S. annual report.—One new member, Bro. W. Groombrid.se, was admitted, and too members, Brothers G. A. Butt and G. K. Childerstone were transferred here. Two members, Bros, gtubbs and Butty, were transferred to Wanganui and Hawera respectively. One member, Bro. T. IT. Hudson, died from wounds received at the front, and Bros. R. E. Dowling and W. 'Horsnell returned home invalided. Bros. E. C. Cook and R. 0. Moverley have left for the front, tho'former with the -20 th and the latter with the 23rd "Reinforcements. A Territorial Camp having again been located at the Waiwakaiho, it was decided to conduct a recreation tent there. A large marquee was obtained from C.E.M.S. headquarters in Auckland and was erected by the Eefcneo -Authorities. The tent prove." a boon to the men, as it was the only large one available for recreation purposes. The members of. our branch will be extremely sorry to lose the services of our secretary, Mr. George List, who left for camp early in April. During tho time Mr. List lias been secretary he has given his best services freely to the

cause,.. and lie will be greatly missed. 'Wo believe lie will be equally earnest ami efficient in his work for the Empire, n:id we wish him God speed and a sate reiiiri/.

St.. Mary's Sunday School annual report;.— ' The number of scholars on the roll of the morning school was 09, of whom 33 were girls and 'Mi bovs. The average attendance was SC.

Tn the afternoon school there were about ISO. 00 pirls and <lO boys. The average attendance was 110. The primary school has a roll number of 80—tho average attendaneo being about SO. Vogcltnwn School has a roll of 36 '2l boys and 15 girl?, with an average attendance of 0 boys and 13 girls. I 'Moturoa Sitnday School has a roll number o.f 37. of whom y.l are girls and seven boys. Miss Lethbridge is severely handicapped in her work hero, and is in urgent need of assistance. At the suggestion of Mr. Moyes, a Bibler Class lias been formed at the ■High School. There has been an attendance of closo on 50. BALANCE SHEET. The balance sheet showed general offertories £754, anniversary service, £IOO, special offertories £227, thn total income being £IB2G, the expenditure being ■•C;iBS7 (but this included a debit balance at the beginning of the year of £317). Mr. S. \V. Sham - , in moving the adoption of the reports and balance sheet, rcierred to the benefactions received by the Church during the past year, and mentioned that the thanks' of the congregation were due to the donors, particularly to Miss Devenish, Mrs. Freetli and the Ladies* Guild. He also mentioned the good work done by Mrs. W. D. Webster, who. during the past 23 years, had collected £OOO. Mr. C. E. Balcer seconded and spoke in support of the resolution, as also did Mr, Jno. Paton. The resolution was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The vicar announced that Mr. T. G. Hirst had consented to act as 'his warden. Mr. S. Lush was elected parishioners' warden, and 'Mr. P. C. Morton auditor. The following vestry were elected:— Messrs. S. W. Shaw, \V. Groombridge, J. Hammond, Jno. P'aton, A. G. Mason, j<;. B. Kynjjdon, C. E. Baker, A. G. Mason, E. E. Lash and A. Crooke. ' VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were accorded the donors mentioned in the report, the Ladies' Guild, also to Mrs. W. D. Webster for her services as a lady collector, to Mr. P. C. Morton for his services as auditor, to Dr. O'Callaghan. who acted as vicar, to the Sunday School teachers, and to the members of the choir. Mr. Hughes referred to the advisability of improving the church grounds.