ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1172, 1 May 1884, Page 3

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

The annual Easter meeting of parishioners was held in St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka, on Monday, 28th April. The Rev, T. A. Hamilton, Incumbent of the Parish, occupied the chair. The meeting opened with singing (hymn 165) and prayer. After the minutes of the last annual meeting had been read and confirmed, the Incumbent gave a resumd of his work in the parish during the past year, and a report dn the various organisations. incumbent’s bkpoet. In submitting my annual report upon the work dr>ne in the parish during tha past year, and the present state and condition of the various parochial organisations, etc., I desire first to place on record my very thankful acknowledgments of the services of all who have assisted mo in carrying on the work of the parish. The work of Christ in a parish cannot be effected by the effort of minister alone, though his spec- - '! office end authority confer upon him the chief responsibility ; yet in a certain degree responsibility rests also upon every individual member of the parish. Worker* for Christ are wanted everywhere workers with willing hearts, who will do their best humbly and cheer fully and in co-operation with the Minister who is set over them in the Lord. As the real power and prosperity of the Church consist in the spiritual life of its members, there is no better way, under God’s blessing,of maintaining and increasing this spiritual jlife than by earnest personal working for Christ s sake ; ‘ faith worketh by loye,’ and works are proofs of a living faith, and exhibit the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost.

In thanking the workers during the past year, it may be invidious to particularise, but I cannot help specially mentioning the devotion, discrimination and ability displayed by the parishioners’ Churchwarden, Mr B. D. O’Halloran, under specially trying and discouraging circumstances. I feel sure that his services will be gratefully acknowledged by the parishioners. The statistics of the past year, though by no means representing the spiritual growth in the parish, show an increase of numbers. Regular services have been held in the Parish Church by myself and the lay reader Mr S. D. Barker. The average attendance (taking wet and fine Sundays together) has been 99 in the morning and 108 in the evening, but in fine weather the congregations usually number 120 in the morning, and 140 in the evening. The Lenten services hare been well attended, averaging 33 for every service held during the week, as against an average of 10 in the corresponding week of tbe previous year. A week’s mission, conducted by the Rev. J. Chaffers-Welsh, was held in this Church in December last, resulting in genuine spiritual fruit. This, however, is a matter which cannot be determined by man’s judgment, but I have good hope that many have profited by tbe Mission Services, if they hare regarded them as a call from God to a higher and more spiritual life, and to greater efforts in forwarding the work of Christ around them.

St. John the Evangelist’s Church, Winchester.—Regular Sunday services have been held in this Church ; fortnightly by myself, the alternate services being supplied by Mr D. L. Trwood, lay reader. The congregation has averu. .-.1 :'7 fer tbe whole year, as against 311 in Ihe previous year. In fine weather, from 50 i o 60 usually assemble. Communicants. —The Records show a considerable increase in tbe number of communicants at both Churches. 48 received the Communion on Easter Sunday, in the Parish Church, as against 27 in 1883, and 22 in 1882. The total number on the communicants’ roll is 112. Baptisms, 60 ; marriages, 0 ; burials, 8 ; confirmed, 29 (21 at Temuka and 8 at Winchester.) Parochial Visits. —2540 visits have been paid during the year, equal to forty per weak or about six per day. 1 may state that owing to want of paddock accommodation I have not been able to work my horses satisfactorily. I could accomplish more work if tha horses were in better condition, but unless more grass feed is provided by the parish I fear that I cannot got more work out of them. I cannot but condemn the short sighted policy which has provided only two acres of glebe land when at tbe least ten acres ©f grazing land should have been secured, as is the case in the neighboring parishes of Geraldine and Tengawai. Monthly services have been held in the Eangitata Island and Waitohi schools, and quarterly services in tbe Washdyke and Milford schools, and have been well attended.

The parish has been officially visited by the Primate for the pm pose of holding a confirmation and inducting the Incumbent, and by the Archdeacon to hold his annual visitation.

Parochial Organisations. —During the past year ‘ Sewing Bees’ hare been established by the ladies of both Temuka and Winchester. Their plan of working has been to receive and execute any orders for work, and the profit derived from the same has been used for the benefit of the Church. The hearty thanks of the parishioners are due to all the ladies who have thus engaged themselves on behalf of the Church. A Juvenile Temperance Society on total abstinence principle* has also been organised, and is now in full operation, meetings taking place every fortnight. The Society is self working and self supporting. I mention, in this connection, that a large room is much needed in which to hold meetings of this and a similar character. It is, as you are all aware, inadmissable to use the church, amd the rooms in the parsonage are not adapted for the purpose, neither i» it convenient to bold meetings there as a rule. What we really need is a Sunday School room. It would be more suitable for Sunday School work than the Church, where the seating is inconvenient for the proper arrangement and instruction of the classes, and the building might be utilised for tea, temperance, teachers’ and choir meetings, Bible classes, etc. The want of a building of this kind is a serious defect in parochial machinery, and a consequent crippling of work which ought to b« well done, and not in a make shift style. Sunday Schoo's.—Our Sunday Schools, notwithstanding the disadvantages abovementioned,are in a creditable state of efficiency, the order, tone and discipline being all that can be desired and the progress satisfactory. Mr Rutland is Superintendent of the Temuka School, and during his absence from the district for a period of two months, his place was ably filled by Mr Lucas. The Winchester Sunday School has no Superintendent, but is being kindly managed by Mr In wood, until a Superintendent can be found. It will be seen that the parish owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Inwood forhis services in this respect, when it is known that he also voluntarily fills the post of lay reader, and also that of organist in St. John’s Church. X sincerely trust that some earnest Christian will come forward and take up this nohlo work, which Mr Inwood has so kindly undertaken. The Sunday School teachers are, on the whole, alive to the importance of their work, but too many I fear underrate the value of study. Whatever the age of the children in a class, the teacher cannot be too well informed. Again, it is absolutely essential in a Sunday School teacher that the heart should be in

the work. It. is useless to attempt to teach a class with a vacuum in the brain ; but it becomes a positive sin to pretend to look after the spiritual growth of little ones unless the heart is full of the Divine love which earnestly desires the salvation of souls. I cannot let this opportunity of speaking slip without entering a strong protest against a mere mechanical teacher, who acts as as automaton, without brains or heart.

A service of song was held last Spring to provide prizes for the children, but was very badly attended, and the sum realised was meagre. An offertory was taken on Good Friday for the benefit of the Sunday school. I am endeavoring to establish a Sunday school fund, in order to provide from time to lime the necessary material of text books, rewards, and other necessary paraphernalia, without which the work cannot proceed successfully. I trust that wealthy members will give donations to the object apart from their subscriptions to tbe General Church Funds. The Choir.—Great improvement has been noticeable in the choir during the past year. It is directed, supervised and controlled by myself. Mr Rutland kindly acts by conductor and leader. I may state that it is greatly owing to his help (at all times voluntarily and cheerfully rendered) that the choir has reached such a state of efficiency. Great credit is also due to our worthy organist, Mr Proudlock, for his very efficient services and hearty .cooperation. I would take tnis opportunity of reminding the parishioners that the services of the choir members are uurely voluntary, and that no funds whatever are available for procuring books or music. I mention this because of a complaint made to me that a member of the choir was not supplied with music by the conductor. It is impossible to supply music for all when there are no funds for procuring the same. The choir members propose forming themselves into a Choral Union, and giving a series of small entertainments in order to get funds for supplying themselves with books and music. I trust that the parishioners will support the choir in this laudable effort, X take this opportunity of reminding parents, etc., whoso children are in the choir, that wo have no paid instructor, and therefore do not pretend to giv* a musical education to those attending, and also that, though services rendered are purely voluntary, strict obedience and respect is required to those in authority and compliance with rules and regulations, without which any organised body must eventually become demoralised. I trust that this meeting will suitably acknowledge the services of the lay readers, Sunday School teachers and choir, and also the services of tha ladies in their efforts for the welfare of the Church.

I cannot conclude without offering up thanks to Almighty God for the harmony which prevails in our communion, and also the Christian fellowship existing between ourselves and other denominations, as exhibited in the great Gospel Temperance movement in which wo have worked side by side. I am thankful for the evident spiritual awakening in the district, and in whatever measure my labors in conjunction with others bare been instrumental in helping towards it, I desire to give God that praise. May I conclude with the words of the great Apostle St. Paul, ‘Let us hold fast the profession of our faith, without warering (for He is faithful that promised) and let ua consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works ; not forsaking the assembling ot ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.’ Thos. A. Hamilton, Incumbent. j The Superintendent of the Sunday | School also submitted a report on the j state and efficiency of the school under ( his care, as follows : Rbpoet on thb Sunday Sokool on St. Savxouk’s Chuech, Tjmuka, Sastkb 1884. As Superintendent of the Sunday School, I have the honor to submit a short report of the state and efficiency of the same. There are now 131 names on the roll, viz. : 62 boys and 69 girls, with an average attendance of 86. These are divided into 15 classes, with a corresponding number of teachers, of whom two are male and the rest female teachers, I wish to point out the urgent necessity for proper school accommodation. The school is now assuming such large proportions that it is impossible to carry on the work satisfactorily in the Church, which is not adapted for the suitable arrangement of classes, owing to the inconvenient seating. More accommodation might be found in a building of the same size if the seating were properly arranged. I would call attention to the fact that owing to this want of proper accommodation many of our senior scholars, when they reach a certain age, having no means provided for gaining further instruction, wander off to other denominational schools. It seems to me we do not keep a hold upon our children between the time they leave the present senior classes and the time when they reach an age qualifying them to become teachers. This is simply because we have no convenient room adjacent to the Sunday school in which classes formed of these young men and young women might be instructed apart from the classes of children. I would suggest that senior classes be formed under a teacher selected by the Incumbent, who would endeavor to carry on the spiritual education of scholars who are too old for the ordinary school work. This might be done in the vestry or in the parsonage by obtaining the consent of the Incumbent. The school has been regularly visited by the Incumbent once a month, at which be bolds a children’s services and catechises the whole school upon the Bible, prayer book and catechism. The children look forward with pleasure to these visits of the Incumbent. It is proposed to establish a Sunday School fund to obtain prizes and the necessary Sunday School material, and when such a fund is raised all books, etc., will be supplied to the children free of charge. I beg to thank the teachers for their diligence and earnest wcrk aad kind co-operation in carrying out the routine of the school. I would, however, be much helped in the work and relieved of some anxiety if when a teacher knows that he or she whl bo absent on the Sunday they will provide a aubstiiute to take the class. Every Sunday it occurs that one or two teachers are absent, and lime is lost and confusion caused in rearranging classes. I trust this will in future bo rectified. Walter G. Rutland, Superintendent. The Chairman then called upon the Parishioners’ Churchwarden to present the annual report and balance sheet, which read as follows ; Annual Rbpoet on Obukhcw*edbns and VeSTEY NOE YkAU BNDtNG EaSTHB, 1884. The Churchwardens and Vestry, in presenting this their annual report and balance-sheet f, r the pist year, would like to point out the great difficulty they have experienced in obtaining funds wherewith to carry on the work of the parish. When they took office there were heavy arrears of stipend owiny, to the amount of £B6 10s. £24 10s of this was due to the late Incumbent, and £62 ti the Hev. I'. A. Hamilton. 1 here wrs also a debt of £6O ib.e in the Fa -k of New Zealand. To reduce the latter a concert wa* held, and with the funds so obi allied and special subscriptions la'sad, this wa-t accjmpiished. There still remained the arrears of stipend to bo made

good an 1 other long s and ru liabilities an • i.he Vestry were cotnpe !e.l to obtain a■> over ireft from th“ Bank of New Zealand tenahla them to me t these claim', and for ■which Mr J. T. M, HayVmrsr, kindly contawted to become s ouritv To provide for repmoent the Vistry have taken up twenty (20) shares in the Canterbury Build ing S' c ety, which, Wien paid up, m ill fully meet i Ins liability. As, however, this means an extia yearly expenditure of about £4O, tdie P'tnehi mere will ice the necessity for ex ra exertions during the coming year, so as to enable the Vestry to meet its liabilities. All accounts have been paid up to date, and the Vestry are pleased to be able to report that the only liabilities are the ba'ance of the original loan for building parsonage (which as no doubt most of you are aware is being paid off, principal and interest, at the rate o f £45 per annum), and the overdraft, at the Bimk, which, owing to the success of the bazaar, gift auction and tea, has been reduced to £66 Bs. The envelope system having been in full operation for the past year, the Vestry regret to find that it has not been so successful as was hoped, and they would impr*<s upon the parishioners the Absolute necessity for regularity in the payment of the weekly offerings, as otherwise it will be impossible for them lo know what incame they will have to depend upon. During the past year His Lordship the Primate visited the parish for thetwofonl purpose of inducting the Kev. T. A. Hamilton into the permanent clurge of the parish and to administer the rite of confirmation. The Vestry thought it a fitting opportunity to express to His Lordship the esteem and affection with wh : cli he is regarded in the district, and they, therefore, on behalf of the parish, presented him with an address of welcome. . Owing to the finaneial outlook not being so bright as could bo wished, the Vestry felt compelled to reduce the expenditure as much as possible, and with this object in view thov reluctantly reduced the salaries of the Organist and Verger £5 per annum each, and they would urge upon the incoming officers the necessity for the greatest economy during the coming year. Several improvements have been made in the church during the past year. Ventilation being much needed, the west windows were made to open at the top, and an opening, covered with perforated zinc, was made in the belfry to permit of foul air escaping. This work was done by M essra Clinch and Lloyd, and amounted to £3 9s 6d, which they kindly returned to the Churchwardens, and for which'the Vestry take this opportunity of thanking them. The old kneeling boards have been replaced by new and broader ones. The timber for this work was supplied by the Vestry, and the labour by the Incumbent. The choir stalls have been altered at the who has also presented a G.aatonbury chair to the Church (this latter ia the work of his own hands); ft handsome pulpit hanging has liceu supplied by ft Iftdy of the congregation, and new markers for the Bible by another. Cushions for the Communion rails have been provided by Is subscriptions, raised by a few ladies. There have been 15 ordinary amd 3 special meetings of the Vestry daring the year. The attendance of Vestrymen is tabulated as unc l er B. D. O’Halloran, 15; W. Wills, 11; J. Meyer, 11; W, G. Rutland, 9 ; B Pilbrow, 7; W. Benbow, 6 (i of year elected, vice O’Hallaran made Warden) ; S. D. Barker, 5 ; W. G. Aspinall, 4; J. Austin, 2 ; J. ,T. Heap, 2 (* year elected, vice Mr E, Pilbrow, resigned); J. Talbot, nil ; Gladstone, nil ; J. A. Young, nil. The Vestry in conclusion, would on behalf of the Parish,thank the Rev.lncumbent for his untiring zeal in the work of the Parish, the Superintendent and teachers of the Sunday Soho 1, the conductor, organist and members of the choir, for the able manner in which all have performed their several duties, and also to the members of the ‘Sewing B.e ’ and all who by their assistance helped to the success of the late annual gathering and bazaar. (Signed) B D. O’Halloban, Parish Warden. Balance Sheet or St. Satioue’s Chhbch, Temuia, rEOM Eastbb 1883 to Eastbe 1884. Receipts. £ s. o. By balance from last year ... 15 18 9 By offertories, including envelopes Temuka ... ... ••• 218 6 2 Waitohi ... ... ••• 5 4 6 Milford ... ... ... 010 3 Washdyks 1 1 11 Rangitata ... ... 818 1 By subscriptions from Winchester, stipend £26 5s 6d, general 3s7d 26 9 1 By subscriptions, other than |by envelope system 88 8 6 By proceeds concert he'd in June 21 6 6 By ditto to welcome Bishop ... 1 9 0 By prooseds bazaar, gift auction, tea and concert ... ... 87 6 9 By debit balance at bank ... 66 8 0 £541 6 6 Expenditure. £ *. d. To stipend, including arrears due at the end of last year 337 0 0 To Verger’s salary 30 11 0 To Organist’s salary ... ... 3115 0 To repayment of O.P.T. loan through Building Society ... 30 0 0 Interest on O.P.T. loan of £250... 18 15 0 To lighting, repairs to parsonage, Church, etc. ... ... ... 22 5 6 To printing, advertising, &c. ... 19 11 6 Miscellaneous 51 8 6 £541 6 6 The report and balance sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr Gurr, seconded by Mr R. Sadler Smith. Mr Mason moved a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring officers for the satisfactory manner in which they had performed their duties during tht past year. Mr Lucas seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr O’Halloran, Parishioners’ Churchwarden, briefly responded, whilst Mr Barker deprecated any thanks being accorded to him, as his attendance at Vestry meetings had been infrequent. The appointment and election of officers was next proceeded with. The Incum bent appointed Mr W. Wills his Warden for the corning year, and Mr O’Hallorau was unanimously elected to fill the post of Parishioners’ Churchwarden. Mr Wills congratulated the parishioners upon making such a wise choice, * as they had a Churchwarden who had carried on the duties most successfully during the past year, and he could testify to his zeal and energy.’ The following were elected Vestrymen ; Messrs Rutland, Benbow, Meyer, Mason, Lee, Hayhurst, Ensor, Heap, Harrop, and Davey. The Incumbent then invited members to bring forward any matters which might be of interest in the affairs of the Church, Mr Davey suggested that on future occasions the balance sheet should be printed (if the funds allowed of it) and circulated previous to the meeting, as it was impossible to remember the items when read.

Mr Hayhurst asked whether are urn might be made to the old custom of renting the pews. After considerable discussion, it was decided to keep the seating free and open, as at present. The principle of free seats was approved of by the Diocesan Synod by a resolution adopted in 1882, and attention was drawn to this resolution In the Synod Report of 1883. Votes of thanlcs were passed to the ladies for their energetic work ou behalf of the Cl)inch, to the performers at the late concert, etc., to Messrs Comer am'. Larcombe and Davey for their valuable and gratuitous services at the late gift auction, and to the superintendent and Sunday School teachers. At this stage Mr Wills suggested the advisability of starting a subscription list in aid of the Sunday School fund, but no response was made to bis appeal. The superintendent, Mr Rutland, in returning thanks, hoped that more men would come forward to assist in Sunday School work, and dwelt upon the importance of the suitable training of the young. Votes of thanks were also passed to the choir, conductor, organist, etc. The Incumbent, in the name of the parish, thanked the lay readers for their valuable services. Mr Barker and Mr Imvood replied, and expressed surprise that their labour was much appreciated. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding concluded the business of the evening. All present joined in singing the doxology, and the Chairman then pronounced the benediction.