ST. MARY'S, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1723, 12 April 1888, Page 3

ST. MARY'S, GERALDINE.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of this Church wae held in the church on Tuesday last. The Rev. J. Preston (Incombant) occupied the chair, and there ! ware present Messrs B. P. Bartram, W, E. Barker, H, B. Webster, W. ColtmaD, F. Wilson Smith, A. H. Briaco, A. E. Hawkins, J. Kellond, junr., W. Ba*ke, Dr Fish, and M»jor Moore. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Incumbent's report for the pant year was read. It was to the effect that Church matters were progressing as favorably as could be expected under the circumstance*. With the help of layreaders, services were held every Sunday in St. Mary's, Geraldine, St. Stephen s, Peel Forest, and the Church of Holy Innocents, and in other churches and places at least once. There had been registered during the year 73 baptisms 8 burials, and five mamwgea. ,-Lhe Sunday Schools in all parts of the parish .were doing good work. He had commenced the Bible Class in the Public School, Geraldine, from 9 to p. 30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the attendance .was very good. The sum of £24 6s 8d had been received, and £2O Is id had

' been expended on prizes, books, and cards for St. Mary's Sunday School during the year, and there remained a balance of £4 3s lid to credit. They were deeply indebted to Mrs Andrews for her management of the Sunday School library, and to the Misses Fish, who had for years acted as organistß without remuneration. As clergyman of the parish, he thanked all the lay readers, Sunday Sokool teachers, and church workers generally, who had so ably assisted during the year. He regretted the absence of Mr H. W. Moore, but he hoped to see him back soon, and taking his plane in the church again. The Churchwardens' rep rt ahowed that the receipts for the , year, including a balance in band of £1 6s 4d, had heen £lO7 19s 7d and the expenditure £llO 9s Bd, leaving a debit balance of £2 jLOi Id. There were also further outstanding liabilities to the amount of j about £lB 17s 7d. Dr Fish read over a list of the suras raised by the churches in the outlying districts, and expressed the hope that they would endeavor to still more largely subscribe lo the funds.--On the motion of Major Moore, seconded by Mr Brisco, the report was adopted as read: In the absence of Mr H. W. Moore, the collector for the stipend fund, Mr Webster, who had acted as collector during iLr Meore'a absence, reported that the amount collected was some £B3 9a Id below the guarantee. He explained that during the short time the collectorship had been in his bands ha bad found it very difficult indeed to obtain subscriptions. Several people had had to discontinue subscribing or had gone away, while others who had subscribed liberally before had had to reduce their donations by quite half. He hoped to be able to get a further sum in few days, and thus b« able, if the books were kept open, to make a more complete estimate. The election of office-bearers for tho ensiling year was then proceeded with and resulted as follows : Incum'oent'j Churchwarden—Dr Fish (re-elected); PariHhioners' Churchwarden —Mr H. W. Moere (re-elected). Vestrymen—On the motion of Mr F. Wilson Smith, seconded by Mr Webster, last year's vestrymen were re-eected, Mr J, Kelland, junr., Doing plected in the place of one who resigned. Stipend Treasurer—Mr W. E. Barker was re-elected to this position, and expressed the hope that tho collectors would make a very strong effort to obtain mora subscriptions. it was decided to urge the collectors to endeavor to make up the deficiency bsfore the end of the month. It was also decided to print the balance.sheet at the end of the month, and if a deficiency still existed at that time to get up some description of entertainment to imke up the guarantee. The collectors for the past year were re-elected, with the substitution of Mr J. Thatcher, for one resignsd. Mr H. B. Webster was auditor. Dr Fish stated that Miss Fish and Miss Alice fish (who have for many years acted as organists in the church) would be unable to continue their duties, as it was inuring their health. He explained that the organ was not fit for a woman to play. It was quite bard enough for a man. General regret was expressed at the loss of the valuable service* of the ladies mentioned, and upon the proposition of Major Moore, seconded by Mr Coltman, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Miss FUh and Mine Alice Fish for their services in the past, and the Incumbent was requested to inform them how heartily their services had been appreciated, and of the Vestry's regret that they could not continue them. The Chairman thanked Dr Fish for acting as his Charchw.nden during the last year. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr H. W. Moore for acting as the Parishioners' Churchwarden, and regret was expressed at his absence from the parish. Votes of thanks wore also passed to the choir and Mr Moora, ther Inader, and to the Vestry for their services. It was decided that Mr Hawkins should be associated with Dr Fish to sign cheques nutil the return of Mr Moore. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.