ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1886, 2 May 1889, Page 4

ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The annual meeting of parishioners was held at St. Saviour's Chimb, on Tuesday evening, the Eev. T. A. Hamilton,incumbent,presiding. There was a very large and representative attendance. The incumbent's report, after a few words of thankfulness for progress made during the year, eulogised the tact, energy, and zeal of the parish

officers, especially Messrs Pinckney and Eayner. During the year there had been 69 baptisms, 6 marriages, and 13 burials. With the assistance of Messrs Gladstone and Pinckney, the layreaders, morning and evening services had been regularly held at St. Saviour's Church, Temuka, and St. John the Evangelist's, Winchester. The attendance had been—-Temuka: average attendance, morning service, 99; evening service, 106; highest attendance, morning, 144 ; evening, 180. Winchester: Average attendance, morning, 39; evening, 60; highest attendance, 80. The highest attendance at Holy Communion in Temuka was 15 at the early celebrations, and 46 at the midday, and at Winchester 13. Seven sick persons and their relatives received Holy Communion privately on eight different occasions. Monthly services had been held by the Incumbent at the Eangitata Island, Eangitata South, Rangitira Valley, and Waitohi, and quarterly services at the Washdyke and Milford. Holy Communion was administered once at Eangitata Islsnd to seven persons. Wednesday evening services had been regularly held at St. Saviour's Church, the congregation averaging 28. Daily morning services had also been held during Advent and Lent. A mission was held by the Eev. J. Holland during Holy week. The average attendance at the mission services was 142.' The subscribers to the Parish Magazine amounted to 83, and x thanks were given to Mesdames Hamilton, Austin, Dunford, Davey, and Vovce, the Magazine distributors. The Bible classes held at the day Bchool every Friday, with Miss Ladbrooke's assistance were attended by 47 senior scholars, and 110 in the junior division. Eegret was expressed at Miss Ladbrooke's departure. The report dwelt briefly upon the Sunday School, and then drew attention to the necessity of a more suitable building for the purpose, etc. In conclusion thanks were warmly tendered to all Church officers. The Sunday School report was submitted by Mr A. W. Gaze, who congratulated the Church upon obtaining the services of Mr Pickney in the school, and also upon the successful financial position, which showed a credit balance of £6 15s lOd. The report and balance-sheet submitted by', the Churchwardens was a most favorable one. The recent bazaar netted £95, and there still remained some £5 to come in. The consolidated debt had been reduced to £3O, the whole extent of the Parish's indebtedness. Against this the payment into the Building Society amounted with interest to £lB5. In

September next there would be a credit balance of £l7O. It wa? suggested that this amount should be set aside to form the nucleus of a building fund. The stipend had been regularly paid, and the subscribers to it numbered 129, as against 104 the previous year. The report pointed out that the £l7O was not an accumulation from ordinary revenue, but the result of special exertions made by the ladies. Every effort would be required to maintain the present healthy state. The Churchwardens congratulated the parish upon the general appreciation of the Incumbent's faithful services, and tendered thanks to the church workers.

The reports and balance-sheet were adopted, and thanks conveyed to the Churchwardens for their services,

CHUBCH OFFICERS.

The chairman said that he had pleasure in stating that Mr Kayrer had again consented to act as incumbent's churchwarden. Mr Pinekney was unanimously elected parishioners' churchwarden, all present eulogising the efforts he had made for the welfare of the Church. The following gentlemen were nominated for vestrymen:—Messrs Talbot, Langridge, Benbow, Mason, L. E. Kayner, J.' Meyer, E. Lloyd, E. Whitehead, J. Walker, H. Eobinson, W. O. Aspinall, and E. Pilbrow. A ballot being taken, the first ten named were elected.

MJOPOSED NEW CIIUBCII,

Mr Gaze, after a few introductory remarks, moved —" That it be a recommendation to tbo vestry to appoint a select conmittee to consider the relative schemes of building a new church or parish-room, and, having ascertained the amount of support likely to be received, to report at a full meeting of parishioners to be held in not less than three months." Mr Talbot seconded the motion pro forma, but thought the present opportunity a good one to decide upon ■which would be best—a new church or a narish-room. He would move—- " That the efforts of the congregation should be directed towards building a new church." Mr Mason seconded the amendment.

The chairman, in reply to questions, said that about £490 had been promised towards a new church, and about £25 towards a parish-room.

Mr Gaze said that his sympatbes were in favor of building a new church, but he did not desire to see the parish

swamped with debt for years. If the present meeting decided to go on with a church a supreme effort should he made, and the matter carried right through. He whs afraid the amendment, as it stood, would defer tba question indefinitely. Several of those present having spoken, Mr Talbot said that he would, with Mr Mason's consent, add to his amendment "That the vestry be requested to ascertain what support is like'y to be received towards a new church, and also obtain an estimate of cost of same, and report to a meeting to be held in three months." Mr Gaze withdrew his motion.

Mr Davey, as an amendment, moved —" That the efforts of the congregation be directed towards building a parish-room." Ho was of opinion that the present church would last a long time yet, and if a new one had to be built the parish-room could be used in the meantime.

The amendment was put and lost, and the motion was carried. THANKS. The thanks of the congregation were accorded to the lay-readers, church officers, and workers.

On the motion of Mr Talbot, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the incumbent and to Mrs Hamilton for the universal courtesy and earnestness displayed in the work of the year. The Eev. Mr Hamilton returned thanks, and the meeting terminated with the benediction.