ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1329, 18 April 1885, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of the Parish of Temuka was held in St. Saviour’s Church on Thursday evening last, there being a good attendance. A. number of ladies were among those present. In the absence of the Incumbent (the Rev. T. A. Hamilton), owing to illness, Mr D, L. Inwood occupied the chair, and opened the meeting with prayer. The Chairman read the minutes of the last annual meeting and of two special meetings of parishioners held during the year, which were confirmed. Mr B. D. O’Halloran, Parishioner’s Churchwarden, then read the Incnmbent’s outgoing Yestry’s reports as follow: incumbent’s keport “Easter, 1885. “In reviewing the work of the past year I think we have good reason to be thankful for the abundant evidence of spiritual life amongst our members, and more especially for the steady increase in the number of communicants and atteu*

dents at divine service. In addition to the usual Sunday services in Temnka, regular services have been held at Winchester, Raugitata, Waitohi, Milford, and Washdyke, the people at the last-named place showing their appreciation of the services by their attendance and offertories. A Wednesday evening service in the Parish Church has also been regularly kept up and well attended. Special services were held during lent, with a noticeable increase of attendance as compared with last year, showing (hat the more Church teachings are understood the niora they are valued. The number of baptisms in the district for the year is 41, , burials 11, and marriages 12. I have paid 1924 visits during the year, being nn average of 34 per week. It will be seen that this is not quite equal number to those paid last year, but this is partly owing to the amount of sickness in the Parish (which often has required my constant presence) and partly to ray inability to keep more than one horse, so that I am unable to to visit the outlying districts so systematically as formerly.—The Sunday School teachers deserve our best thanks for their self-sacrificing work—for it is a great sacrifice to young people to give up every Sunday afternoon, as they have to do if they have the welfare of the children at heart. At the beginning of this year I introduced a system of Standards, which will, I think, ensure more methodical teaching and better results, —The very efficient services of the choir will, l am sure, be duly recognised by the parishioners. Your best thanks are also due to the lay-readers for their valuable services, and also to the outgoing Church officers. —Although we are passing through a critical time, owing to severe monetary depression, still I trust that all difficulties will he manfully met and overcome, and that we may trust in the Lord f >t guidance at all times. —I regret that owing to sudden illness Ism unable to be with you to-night.—Yonr faithful brother and servant in Christ, “ Thos. A. Hamilton,” churchwardens’ report. The Churchwardens and Vestry beg to submit the following report and balancesheet for the past year ; “They regret very much that the . financial condition of the parish is not by any means flourishing. This no doubt is attributable in a great measure to the depression which has been felt all over the colony, and more particularly in those parts specially given to agriculture, as our own is. Under these circumstances ;it is hardly to be wondered at that the income for the past year has fallen considerably short of previous years During the year the Vestry made a special appeal for assistance to carry on the work of " the parish, but it met wit h little response. Two special meetings of parishioners were called to discuss financial questions, at which certain resolutions were passed, which have been read to you in'the minutes of these meetings. The members of the Vestry also made a personal canvass of the district to endeavor to ascertain what amount of support was likely to be received for the cording year, but they regret that the returns received leads, them to the belief that the expenditure at its present rate cannot be maintained, and they would strongly-urge the incoming members to arrange some means whereby it may be reduced. —With a view of curtailing the expenditure, the present Vestry felt it to be their duty to try and arrange with the organist and verger for a reduction in their salaries, with the result that the organist consented to continue his duties at a salary of £ls per annum ; and by the olfer of several lady members of the congregation to keep the Church clean, trim and fill lamps, etc., they were enabled to effect a further reduction of £ls, as the services of a bellringer were obtained for £5 per annum, making a total saving of £25. It may be here stated that the late verger was offered the position at £lO per annum, but declined. —On 16th December last an open-air social gathering and bazaar took place on the grounds of Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst, who kindly placed them at the disposal of the Vestry; but owing to various causes it was not so successful as had been anticipated, only £l6 5s being the net result.—The annual gift auctioh, tea and bazaar were held on the 6th and 7th insts., and were fairlysuccessful—£42 3a 2d being the amount realised. The Vestry wish to take this opportunity of thanking all those who assisted in any way towards their success.—lt will be necessary for the members of the incoming Vestry to sign a guarantee that the monthly payments towards the liquidation of Mr Hayhurst’s loan of £2OO bo regularly made.- -At the last sitting of the Synod the Churchwardens, in conjunction with the Incumbent, .applied for a grant of £IOO to build a Sunday School, and also for £240 to purchase a suitable site for a new Church, but, owing to some misunderstanding on the. part of members of the Synod, both were refused. Wo are, however, given to understand that if the application for the £IOO be renewed this year it will be favorably considered.—Organ: The Vestry having an opportunity of purchusa good instrument cheap, authorised Mr Rutland to arrange for the one now in the Church for the sura of £6O. £2l was paid on delivery and the balance is to be paid when the old instrument has been disposed of. This Mr Rutland has kindly undertaken to do, The amount paid on account is the result of a canvass made some years ago for this special purpose and has remained in the Bank till the present time.—The work of the coining year will be arduous, but if members will only remember that “in unity there is strength,” and if they will only give a small amount regularly, the difficulties of the Veatry will be materially lightened.—ln conclusion we would beg to thank the Incumbent for his zeal in the work of the parish during the past year and to express a hope that the difficulties he has experienced may be considerably lightened in the future.—The thanks of the parish are also due to the Conductor, Organist and Members of the Choir for their willing and also to Miss Rutland, who came forward and kindly undertook the office of deputy organist, thereby enabling Mr Proudlqck to acpept the reduced salary, and to the Superintendent apd Teachers of the Sunday School for their work of love.— The liabilities of the parish (irrespective of current accounts) are as follow ; Balance of C.P.T. loan £6O ; £2OO due to Mr Hayhurst, both of these liabilities At* provided for by Building Sooiety

shares, payable at the rate of £3O per annum.

“B. D. O’Halloran, “Parishioners’ Warden.”

The balance-sheet was then read. It showed the receipts, including a loan of £2OO, to have been £476 19s 2d and the expenditure £464 2s 6d leaving a balance of £l2 lie 8d against which there are outstanding accounts. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A long discussion then ensued on church matters, and at its conclusion Mr John Talbot moved the following resolution which was seconded by Mr Pilbrow and carried unaniraons'y with applause—- “ That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the Incumbent for the zealous and faithful manner in which he has always discharged the duties devolving on him.” In moving the resolution Mr Talbot referred in high terras to the respect felt for Mr Hamilton by all in the district. If this congregation had anything to complain of with regard to financial matters they must admit that Mr Hamilton had always done his duty. The Chairman on being asked to convey the resolution to Mr Hamiiton, said he would have much pleasure in doing so. For his part he thought Mr Hamilton was killing himself with overwork. Hearty votes of thanks were then passed to the outgoing Church wardens and Vestry, Choir, Conductor, and Organist, and Superintendent and Teachers of Sunday school. The election of Church officers for the ensuing year then took place. The Chairman stated that the Rev. Mr Hamilton had chosen Mr G. Bolton to be Minister’s Churchwarden. Mr B. D. O’Halloran was re-elected Parishioner’s Churchwarden. Messrs John Talbot, Lee, Parke, Mason, J. T. M. Hayhurst, Pilbrow, Langridge, and E. W, Gurr were elected Vestrymen. This concluded the business, and after a vote of thanks had been accorded the Chairman, the meeting closed with the Benediction.