ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1919, Page 3

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Uiurch was held last night, the Rev. 0. Blundell presiding.

REPORTS. The report of the kirk session was read by the. clerk (Mr. N. K. McDiarmid). Thankfulness was expressed for all that the Church had been able to accomplish during the year, and that the services of the church had bee>i maintained in a generally healthy state. The membership roll" now numbered 102, compared with 1(7!) last year Telling referenee wn:s made to the removal by death of several members of the church, and also to those associated with the church who had laid down their lives in the recent war'. During the year the MlowingNadditional elder" were elected: Messrs. ,T. G. MeOregor, A. S. Brooker, D. Leitch, and F. W. o! MeLcod. . Additional managers were also elected as follows: Messrs T A Pmden, A. G. Wilson, John Findlav, and A. Coutts. Six members of the session were elected to represent the congregation on the Council of the Churches. Reference was made to the Wait of the Moderator (the Hon. J. J. W. Aitken), and the report concluded with an expression of thanks to all who had assisted in carrying on the work oi the church during the year. The report of the Board of Managers was presented by the secretary (Mr. 11. Cox). The iinancial position showed that the debit balance with which the year commenced had been reduced to £7 fls ltd. The Sunday collection showed a satisfactory increase of £37 19s lid. The number of con tributors through the duplex envelop? system had increased from 40 to CO and the managers expressed a hope that there would be a further large increase in this direction by means of that system. The report mentioned several to whom special thanks were due for services rendered, and thanked all mem hers and friends for liberal financial assistance during the year.

The manager's balance-sheet was presented by the treasurer (Mr. A. ,T. Way), and showed that the total reve nue had been £sl) 7s Id.

Reports were also presented on the work of various brandies of the church activities, including the Sabbath School, Ladies' Guild, Young Men's and Young Women's Bible Classes. CHURCH PROPERTY.

A comprehensive report on the property in the possession of the church was presented, at the request of the Board of Managers, who also made certain recommendations for the. disposa' of the present church site when opportunity offers, and the acquisition of a new site and buildings, and for the immediate disposal of the manse property and securing a new manse. After some discussion, a motion was carried agreeing, subject to the consent of the Taranaki Presbytery to place in the market for sale the section facing Devon Street, with the manse building .thereon. PEW RENTS. A discussion took place on the recommendation of the Managers that the time had come when the congregation should take into consideration the question of making all seats in the church free. The consensus of opinion was in favor of that courso. Mr. Bruce moved that the meeting request the session to take such steps a3 are necessary to secure the abolition of the system of seat letting, forthwith.

The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Findlay, and carried by a large majority. GENERAL.

Particular reference was made to the splendid work accomplished by the Ladies' Guild, and a special vote of thanks was accorded them when their report was under consideration. Thanks were also accorded to Mr. R. Balharry, for his services as auditor, and he was re-appointed. It was agreed to raise the stipend of the minister by £25 per annum. At the conclusion of the meeting supper was served by the ladies in the schoolroom, for which they were heartily thanked.