ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1921, Page 3

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

PARISHIONERS’ ANNUAL MEETING, The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, was held on Monday evening, there being a good attendance. The vicar (Rev. F. G Harvie) presided. VICAR’S REPORT. The vicar, in his report, expressed hie appreciation of the valuable work and co-operation of the parishioners during the rear. The time had been a difficult one, on account of his having had no asr tance, and that was accentuated through the absence of Archdeacor Evans. The parish, however, could congratulate itself upon obtaining the services of the Rev. G. A. Young as assistant curate. Reference was made to the services at St. Mary’s Church, and the vicar expressed the opinion that there was room for improvement in the at tendances at these services! Market improvement was seen in the work o 1 the choir, and the choirmaster deservec great praise for his hard work. Sundaj services Had been well maintained at the Boys’ High School, the Old People’t Home, and at St. John’s, Omata. Fort nightly services had been re-established at Barrett Road and there was evei likelihood of services being revived at the Moturoa Mission Hall. Service! were also held at the Hospital on Sunday evenings, and Holy Communion 01 the Greater Festivals in the early morn ings. “Obviously,” said the vicar, “i: would be impossible to hold all thes, services without the assistance of th< laity; I am thankful to our loyal bam of lay readers who have continued thei useful work, and without whose help should have had to discontinue many o the services in the outlying parts of th parish.” In this connection, also, th vicar expressed his thankfulness to th? parishioners for providing a motor-car. which had greatly facilitated his work and lessened the physical fatigue. The vicar stated the Ladies’ Guild had done yeoman service in helping the various parish funds for many years and they were to be congratulated on the success attending their labors. He suggested the Guild might have a rest during the coming season, and instead of their annual sale the whole parish organise a Mart Day. In his concluding word of thanks tc the parishioners for their loyal help, the vicar said: “I would only add a word of personal gratitude to my Churchwarden. Mr. Kingdon, who is retiring from that position. To his friendship, no less than to his devotion to duty, and his example of staunch Christian character, I owe more than I can say. I understand that Mr. Mason is anxious to withdraw from the position of people’s warden. At considerable inconvenience and with much self-sacrifice Mr. Mason has faithfully discharged his duties for four years, and he well deserves a rest; he has earned our sincere gratitude for his work.” Reference was finally made to the vicarage, which though unique in its attractiveness, could not possibly be maintained in decent order and tolerable comfort under present-day conditions. He mentioned the matter in order that the congregation, through the vestry, might work out a scheme for the solution of the problem. CHURCHWARDEN’S REPORT. The churchwarden’s and vestry report stated:— No start has been made in the building of the new Sunday School, as conditions are no better than twelve months ago. But, in accordance with suggestions brought before the last annual meeting, and approved of, the old building has been done up, inside and out, the cost of doing, this being £ll7 10s. I It was decided to get a motor-car for the use of the parish. This has been done, the whole of the money having been donated. Messrs Mason, Lysons and Willis are largely responsible for bringing this to a successful issue. There is still £7B in hand to go towards a garage. The question of keeping the church grounds in order will have to be faced in the near future. We really need at least'three voluntary workers to undertake regular work in the church grounds. At present there is no money available, beyond that which is paid for keeping the grounds tidy in the immediate vicinity of the church. A meeting of the parishioners concerning the soldiers’ memorial met in November, and it was decided to place a brass in St. Mary’s, inscribed with the names of all those who, being parishioners, fell in'the. late war; this to be’ done at once. The design has already been passed by the trustees and the Bishop’s faculty has been issued. We hope to raise funds towards a further memorial, but the character of such memorial depends entirely on the amount that is subscribed. There is every hope that work in the outside districts will be carried out more fnV.v than has been possible for some time past, now that we have a curate again. Finance. —The Sunday School building fund now stands at £2345; a very handsome anonymous donation of £lOO was received during the year. Subscriptions to the Central Fund amounted to £152. General offertones, including the anniversary Sunday, realised £6Bl 3s 4d, against £658 10s Kkl last vear. Special offertories £2lO -s lid 'compared with £244- last year, ladies’ collections amounted to £S» Is. anainst £9B hnt a fairly large shin was handl’d in too late to he banked. otherwise this year's total would have been larger than last. • ELECTION of officers. The election of officers then took place and resulted as follows: Vicars churchwarden. Mr. S. W. Shaw; peoples warden. Mr. E. W. M. Lysons; vestrymen, Messrs. E. B. Kingdom, H. Baker, \V. 11. Skinner. W. C. ITingaton, C. Harding, D. 11. Butcher, W. H. Robertshaw. L. Pipe, 11. Fookes and A. <>• Mason. Messrs. Baker and Skinner were subsequently elected secretary and treasurer respectively of the vestry. Votes of thanks were passed to the workers in the different departments of the church for their faithful service during the past year.