ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1921, Page 5

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth St. Andrew’s Church congregation was held last night, the Rev. Oscar Blundell presiding over a large attendance. The annual report of the session- stated, inter alia:—“The year opened with a membership of 158 and closed with 16fi. The increase in the population of the town is reflected by a relative increase in our membership, 40 new names having been added to the roll during the year—3s by transfer from other congregations and 5 by profession of faith. The session is pleased to notice an increased desire among the young people of the congregation to join the .membership of the church, three having come forward during the year. In revising the roll 32 names were struck off —l7 by transfer to other congregations, 2 by death, and 13 from other causes. We regretfully Tecord the death of the following members:—Mrs. Clement White and Mr. Alexander Anderson. The former was for many years, prior to her long illness, a teacher In thb 1 Sabbath School, and an active church worker generally; while the latter was, for a long period, the auditor of the church accounts. During the year 7 children were baptized, 17 marriages solemnised, and 12 funerals conducted The chief work of this year was the active prosecution of the erection of the new manse. During the months of August. September and October the building committee received sufficient guarantees from the congregation to enable them to proceed to call for tenders. On November 2S, 1920, a tender from Mr. J. W. Tong, of Hawera, for £2790 was accepted.” A general statement of expenditure and receipts -from the board of managers showed a credit balance of £29 4s 3d. The balances from the balance-sheets of the various branches of the church were as follows: Women’s Mißsionary Union, credit £3 9s sd; Ladies’ Guild, £54 15s 9d credit: Sabbath School, £4 5s 9d debit; Manse Building Fund, cash , in hand, £l5 16s 3d. The reports and balance-sheets were, adopted. GENERAL. Mr. N. K. MeDiarmid moved that the meeting recommend the duplex envelope system of collection to the congregation. —The motion was carried. A motion by Mr, A. Cassie, that the; tender of J. W. Tong. Ltd., of Hawera, for a tile roof to the new manse be accepted, lapsed for the want of a seconder, and the meeting resolved that the present specifications for an iron roof be adhered to. Mr. N. K. MeDiarmid moved that the meeting recommend that the board of managers make an annual grant towards the working expenses of the Sabbath School, and the motion was riedIt waa resolved to send a letter ot thanks to Mr. Morrison for an offer to promote a concert in aid of the manse funds. A committee consisting of Messrs. H. Cocker, J. W. Taunt, A. Cassie, N. K. MeDiarmid, and T. A. Pruden is to report to the board of managers in regard to the disposition of the Fort Niger property. Mr. N. Balharry was re-appointed auditor. and was accorded a vote of thanks for his past services. Miss R. 8. Taunt was re-appointed I British and Foreign Bible Society collector, with assistants previously ap- | pointed, and was accorded a vote of i thanks. I It was resolved’ to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Rockell for his work in the church, and of sympathy for him in his illness. A vote of thanks was also accorded the superintendent and teachers of the Sabbath School. The meeting was terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the pastor and the singing of the doxology.