ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1723, 12 April 1888, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The annilal meeting of tbe parishioner* of the above Church waa held on Tuesday evening. The attendance was snail. The chair was occupied by the Incumbent, the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, who, after formally opening the meeting, apologised for the absence of Mr Rayner, his Churchwarden, and then read bis annual report, which was to the following effect In reviewing this, the fifth, year’s work which they had done together for the Kingdom, let them be thankful for the cheering notes of progress God had granted them. Through tbe exertions of their esteemed Churchwardens, the parish whs now almost entirely freed from the quagmire of debt. Tbs statistics were fairly encouraging, peace reigned in their midst, Church work was beiog more actively engaged in than formerly. During the year the number of baptisms had been 68, of confirmed 23, of marriages 8, of burials 11. With the assistance of four lay readers, morning and evening services had been regularly conducted at bt. Saviour's Temuka, and at St. John the Evangelist's, Winchester, and the con*, grsgations had been good, though a large percentage of wet Sundays caused the average to appear Jowl The average attendances at Temuka were : morniag service 307, evening service. 116 the. highest attendances being: st the morning service 172, and at the evening 336. At Winchester the. average attendance had been 40; and tbe. highest 80. The outlying districts were worked entirely by the Incumbent, the nmnge attend* ance at Rangitsta Island! being 70, Rangitata South 25, Rangitira Valley 30, Wa'tohi 40, Wasbdyke 41, Milford 31. Ttie Orari and Rangitata rivers bad frc: quently been crossed at considerable risk, and he expressed his acknowledgements to Messrs Airay and Badham for their help and pilotage. During the year ho bad made 1576 visits, and to accomplish this 530 mi'es hud boon walked, and 3096 ridden or driven. More might have been done with a second horse, but there being only an acre of glebe land, it would-be impossible for him to keep another. Owing to the action of the agent for the Banner of Faith in suddenly relinquishing the agency, they had been unable to issue the Parish Magazine as usually but as arrangements could now be m«de for 1889, he hoped the 70 subscribers to the Pariah Magazine would continue their support in January next. Tbe Benevolent Society would operate during the year in relieving cases of sickness, etc., and it would he well if members would offer their services to him (the Incumbent) as district visitors. The Sunday Schoo'i steadily increase, and in Temuka the system of standards inaugurated iu 1884 produce good results in the classes where the teachers carry out the spirit of it. Mr Gaze waa in charge of the Temuka School. It was at one time feared that Mr 3. Smith would be obliged (o resign the post of Superintendent of the Winchester School, owing to his frequent absence from the district, but it gave him (the Incumbent) much pleasure to stale that he still continued to discharge the self-denying duties of tbe post. A Bible Class was conducted in tbe Temuka District High School every Friday afternoon by MUs Ladbrooke and himself. Tbe senior class was attended by 36 children, and the junior one by nearly 100. He acknowledged the kindness of the School Committee in allowing the prizes to bo distributed at tbe ennual

prize giving in connection with the District High School, and also of those who bad presented prizes, viz., Mrs Rayner (2 prizes), Mrs Meyer, and Mr Pinckney. Of the remaining prizes 8 were given by the Incumbent, and. <6 by Miss Ladbrooke. The greatest need in the parish was a schoolroom, which might also be used as a mission room, meeting ball, raadingroom, etc. The report then re* ferred to His Lordship the Primate's visit in Jammy, when be held a confirmation service, and referred to his resignation, As the resignation had now been deferred till Easter, 1889, it was within the range •f possibility that they might have another visit from lua'. He thanked with all his heart uli who shared frith bun the work and care of the parish—workers too numtrjus to mention— as teachers, choir, organists, vergers, etc., and especially Messrs Rayner and Pinckney, the church* wardens, and Mr Inwood, Ireaeurerof 3t. John’s at Winchester. Tiie Chairman then rend a letter from dr A. W. (Jnze, in which he desired to bo o ieved of the duties of inyreader. In ccepting his resignation, the Incumbent »ado kindly reference to the zeal which Ir Gaze had displayed fur the welfare of he chinch.

Mr Graae, Superintendent of the Sunday School, then read the annual report which showed that the number on tin roll was steadily increasing, and no* numbered 172. The average attendance was 137. After the examination ic December the classes h>d been complete j reorganised, and the teaching staff grestlv atreagthened. Mr Root. Pinckney, parishioners 1 churchwarden, then read the (.Lurchwardens'report: The report Mated that though do new work of any importance had been undertaken all ordinary cost of maintaining the baildinfs and services had been duly met, and atTeral miner improvements effected. An increased water-supply had been protided for the parsonage, and the church had been repainted. The old liability of £2OO still existed, but theßuilding Society payments bad been regularly kept up, and if continued for two years the amount accruing would be sufficient to discharge this obligation. Owing to the stipend fund failing to meet requirements, the Churchwardens had been reluctantly compelled to avail themselves of the Incumbent'* voluntary offer made last Easter to accept a reduction of £2O in his stipend, thus lowering it to the minimum. They hoped to see this remedied in the future, and would like to aee every family iu the parish contribute to the stipend fund—not wlooe for the pecuniary help, but as a proof of sympathy. They deaired to thank several friends residing outside the parish for assistance given, especially a lady residing in England, whose'liberal donations were most pleasurably acknowledged. The Churchwardens and Vestry, on behalf of the parish, also desired to-, thank all who during; the year had assisted in the work of the Church, whether in the pulpit, Sunday School, choir, or other place. The relations of all continue to be of the most cordial nature with the Incumbent, whose earnest labors appears to be as universally appreciated by, as they are cheerfully exerted for, and at the disposal of, the whole body of the parishioners. The report concluded with a summary of the balance-sheet as follows:—The receipts from all sources (inclusive of 1887 bogaar), after clearing off the balance of the old debt on the organ amounting to £l6, and the debit balance at the Bank of £2B 12s 4d,'with which the year commenced, have met the expenditure, and leave a credit balance of £2O 8s lOd ; in addition to which the consolidated debt has been reduced by £3O. The balance-sheet attached showed that the receipts from all sources amounted to £2lB 18s 2d, and the expenditure to £195 •s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £2O 8s lOd. The stipend eecount, £256 Bs, displayed a debit balance of £1 3?. Mr Gara. in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, referred in eulogistic terms to the energy and tact displayed by the Churchwardens in their conduct of the financial business of the church, and expressed bis gratification at the successful result of their labors. Mr Wil's seconded the motion, and fully endorsed the remarks of the mover. The motion was carried unanimously. The election of officers was then proceeded - The Kev. T. A. Hamilton nominated Mr C. J. Rayner-as bis Churchwarden for the ensuingyear. On the motion of Mr Langi-idc;®, seconded bjr- Mr''Wills, Mr Pinckney ins again unanimously re-elected Parishioners' Churchwarden In making the nomination a high compliment was paid to Mr Pinckney by both mover and seconder for the very able and businesslike manner in which be always condncted matters falling to his charge. ' ■ Mr Pinckney- briefly thanked Hip parishioners for the honor conferred upon kirn, and expressed his intention of doing his best, as hitberio, for the welfare of the •bnrehi The following gentlemen were elected Vestrymen E. Lee, W. Wills, Q. Mason, J. Langridge, J. Benbow, G. Smith, J. Meyer, L. Kayner, J. Talbot, and D. Inwood. Mr Gaze moved, and Mr Kaytiurst seconded, a very hearty vote of thanks to the Incumbent for his services during the put year. Mr Hayhurst hoped that arrangements might be made for the main centre of the parish receiving the benefit of the Incumbent's services more frequently. The motion having been enthusiastically carried, the Incumbent returned thanks. •-••*• Some little discussion followed with regard to the services in the outlying districts, and 'it was ultimately resolved—- " That the moomiog Vestry go thoroughly into the matter, and see if some better method cannot be arranged th«n at present exists." It was pointed out that there was no desire to discontinue the services, but they weJte in mosj; cases conducted at a loss, and were thus a burden upon the parish at large. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the Churchwardens and the retiring Vestry, to the Lay readers, Superintenden', and teachers or the Suudey School, the organist and choir, the verger, the Ladies' Benevolent* Society, * and to al! church wo>kers. The meeting 'was. then formally closed by the Incumbent pronouncing the Benediction.