PARIISHIONERS MEETINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2034, 17 April 1890, Page 2

PARIISHIONERS MEETINGS.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH. GERALDINE. The annual Easter meeting of the parishioners of the above church was held on Tuesday afternoon, at three o’clock, the Eev. J. Preston presiding. There were present Messrs A. White, H. W. Moore, A. E. Hawkins, B. P. Bartrum, B, Prouting, W. Palmer, W, Hawke, W. Shiers, H, Wilson Smith, H. B. Webster, and Johnstone, and Dr Fish. The chairman read his annual report, of which the following is a synopsis:— Through the able assistance of the lay readers the Sunday services had been kept up very regularly during the past year in the seven churches and various ocher buildings. The popuhuiou In-d bsen increasing and tho work getting heavier, and there were greater demands for more Sunday services and more frequent house to house visiting, but he cmld not do more than one man’s work. Go two Sundays in each month ha he'd three services in different places, but owing to tho long distances he had to travel he was unab'e to do th'a on other Sundays. Ha administered Holy Communion at least three times in each month, baptisms wl euever required, but his special day was on the sth of the mouth, when be attended for that purpose in the parish church at 3 p.m. He bad striven to do as much as be could, and he regretiel if he had not satisfied all. He hoped they would all assist by coming regularly to church and help fotward every good work. During the months of June, July, and August he would not hold services in St. John’s, Pioasant Yalley, but would hold them in St. Thomas’, ■ Woodbury, at 3 p.m. On the third Sunday in August, September, November, December, and February services would be held in the Kakahu Bush school, and services elsewhere would be as usual. He felt most thankful to the lay readers for the great assistance they rendered him, also to the choir and other helpers. It was a great pleasure to him to know that the best possible feeling existed between all denominations in the parish, and hoped nothing would destroy it. The Sunday schools in Geraldine, Woodbury, Peel Forest, Pleasant Yalley, Gapes’ Yalley, and the union schools atFairlie Greek and Burke’s Pass wore well attended, and doing good work. He celebrated 3 marriages, and conducted 69 bap. tisms, and 55 burials during the year. Mrs Andrews was still librarian of the Sunday school, for which ha had collected

£5 14:*, and as soon «a he got £lO together he would send Borne for more books. The accounts of the school showed that £2O 5s 4d was spent on 76 books and the treat, while the receipls for the year were £l9 9s 6d. There was a balance and donation from last year amounting to £7 ss, and after deducting working expenses a balance of £4 7s 2d was left in hand. The Sunday School accounts, duly audited, were presented to the meeting. Air H. W. Moore read the churchwardens’ report and balance-sheet, which were to the following effect:— The church wardens reported that notwithstanding heavy expenses in repairing the parsonage the financial position was slightly batter. The credit balance was £l 10a 2d, and moneys received since

wou’d raise it to £5 10s, but more work required to be done to the parsonage still. The attendance had decreased, though the offertories increased. Last year the attendance was 73, and the offertories amounted to £1 0» 9J, or an average cf a little over three pence per head. This year the attendance was 66, offertories £1 Is 6d, or nearly four pence per head. It had been suggested that the church should be lighted by electricity. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been £l4B Oa Id, the expenditure £l4O 9a lid, leaving a balance of £1 10a 2d. In reply to a question Hr Moore stated that the seats were now all free.

Mr Shiers said if such were the case the tickets upon them should be removed, as people often came into the church and seeing the tickets upon the seats concluded they were appropriated and retired to the back seats. An animated discussion took place ' on the question of pew rents. Dr Fish understood at the public meeting held to discuss the matter the feeling had been that no more seats should be let but that those who had their seats should not be interfered with. Some of those present were in favour of making the seats free and others of allowing those who wished to retain a particular seat to do so on paying for the same. Mr Hawkins thought the meeting could not deal with the matter without consulting the wishes of the members of the Church. Finally, Mr Shiers moved—" That it be a recommendation to the incoming vestry that as no rents have been collected for seats since Advent Sunday last the seats be now declared free and the cards removed.” This was seconded by Mr Bartrum. Mr Hawkins moved, as an amendment “ That it be a recommendation to the incoming vestry that a general meeting be called to discuss the matter.” This found no seconder, and Mr Shiers’ motion was put and carried. There was a strong feeling in the meeting that it would be as well to allow those who wished to reserve a 1 seat to themselves, and to pay for the same, to do so. In reply to a question by Mr Webster, Mr Moore stated that the debt now existing on the church amounted to about £2OO, which sum thanks to the shares taken in the Permanent Investment and Loan Agency, would be paid off by the middle of 1895, and the property would then be free. J The financial position of the Church was considered highly satisfactory. On the motion of Mr Webster seconded by My White, the reports and balance-sheet were adopted. j

_ The chairman thanked Dr Fish for bis services as incumbent's churchwarden during the past year. The election of officers for the present year was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : churchwarden, Dr E. Fish ; people’s churchwarden, Mr H. W. Moore. Ten vestrymen being required, the following were nominated . Messrs W. Shiers, W. Hawke, F. Wilson Smith, A. E. Hawkins, B. P. Bartrum, A. White,' H. H. Patrick, Major Moore, J. Kellaad, J. Pizzey, T. Sherratt, Johnston, and E. Prouting. On a ballot being taken, the first-named ten were declared duly elected. Mr W. E. Barker was re-elected stipend treasurer. Owing to Mr Barker being absent, the appointment of collectors was held over to a future meeting. Mr H. B. Webster was reappointed auditor. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Church officers for their services during the past year. The incumbent returned his thanks to all lay-readers, Sunday school teachers, Church workers, and visitors in the parochial district, for their services during the past year. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the choir master and members of the choir for their services, and to Mr W. E. Barker as stipend treasurer. A. vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

ST. JOHN THE EYA-NGELIST’S CHUROH, WINCHESTER. The annual meeting of parishioners of the district of Winchester was held in St. John the Evangelist’s Church on Tuesday evening, 15th April. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton presided, and opened the meeting with prayer. The chairman stated t&at the business of the meeting was to receive the report and balance-sheet, which would be presented by the outgoing churchwardens, and also to elect officers for the coming year. Before proceeding to this business he desired to express his thankfulness for the progress made in the past, the unity existing at the present, and the hopefulness with which they might look forward to a future of usefulness in the service of their Divine Master. The fabric oi the church was now completed according to the original design, and thoroughly renovated, and it only remained to add extra seating and other articles of furniture to make the church well found in every respect. The contractors were making rapid progress with the new school, and he hoped that they would shortly have the new bishop in their midst to formally open it, and also consecrate the chancel of the church. He felt sure that the people would rouse themselves to give His Lordship a hearty welcome. 'i he incumbent stated that he could not sufficiently thank Mr Gladstone for all his kindness, not only in the splendid benefaction. bestowed upon the church, but also in personal assistance as lay reader in keeping up the services of the Sanctuary of God. Mr Gladstone had undoubtedly contributed largely to the welfare of the church; and to the happiness of it members and their children. Owing to extra pressure of extraneous work this year in connection with church buildings, and the accumulation of ordinary work by increase of population, sickness, deaths, correspondence, &e , he found that he was unable to visit the people in their homes as he could or as frequently as in former years, but their interests were always his, and his services at their command when required. To all the church workers who had assisted in any way to promote God’s glory and the welfare of the church by their labors in the Sunday School, choir, or by voluntary contribution, or otherwise, he wished to return his hearty thanks for their zeal and devotion. The churchwarden’s report was then read, but we are obliged to hold over our report of it until our next issue. The balance-sheet showed receipts to the amount of £l7B 15s 6d, exclusive of contributions to the stipend fund. The expenditure was £174 5s 9d, leaving a credit balance of £4 9a 9d! As against this there were several small accounts, making in all liabilities to the extent of £9 7s, thus leaving a deficit ot £4 I7s 3d. A total of £159 11s lOd bad been expended in connection with the enlargement of the church. A small portion of this came out of the general offertories, and the remainder had been raised as follows: by collecting lists, £132 9s sd; proceeds of tea meeting, £4 Is 3d, and by a donation of £6 16s 6d to the chancel by the Ladies Church Work Society. On the motion of Mr H, Smith, seconded by Air Gladstone, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following were then elected to church officers during the current year:—Mr 0. W. Gimson, parishioners’ churchwarden; Mr W. Do Renzy, clergyman’s churchwarden, and Afessrs H. J. Gladstone, A. L. Barker, H. Smith, R. Smith, A. W. Ensor, and J. Taylor, vestrymen. The Chairman regretted to state that the Sunday School would lose the - services of its superintendent for a while, as he understood that he contemplated visiting the Old Country, Mr R. Smith stated that such was the case, but that he hoped to find a satisfactory substitute to take his place during bis absence. The number on the Sunday School roll was 68, the average attendance 58, There were 9 teachefs, of whom § were females.

Mr Deßenzy hoped that the meeting would act npon the suggestion embodied in the annual report with regard to the organist. A conversation ensued, in which the incumbent and various members eulogised the ability and zeal displayed by Miss Gimson, and the very successful conduct of the musical nortions of the services. It was decided to make her a handsome present on the occasion of the opening of the new school. The churchwardens were empowered to take the necessary steps to have the church grounds levelled and laid down afresh in grass, and the walks asphalted. Mr Gladstone stated that it was very desirable that a stable should be and other premises, and also hanging posts for horses provided, and a large gateway erected, so that the incumbent and members of the congregation might find stabling and other accommodation for horses and traps when coming to the services. Mr Gladstone’s suggestion was warmly approved of, and also that an impromptu gift auction should be held in the new schoolroom as soon as the contractors could allow it to be used (probably about the 25th inst). Mr Gladstone promised five fat wethers, Mr R. Smith a pony worth £B, Mr i Deßenzy a bulloqk worth £6, Mr H. Smith goods to the value of £1; Mr Taylor and others promised produce of various kinds. The affair, therefore, promises to be a great success, The incumbent was deputed to see the ladies of the district with regard to the tea, which will be held prior to the gift auction. The meeting terminated with the ’ customary votes of thanks to the incumbent, lay reader, Sunday School superintendant, choir, and other church workers, and was closed by the incumbent pronouncing the Benediction,