ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2187, 11 April 1891, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

PARISH MEETING. 1 he annual meeting of parishioners was held on Thursday evening last in the parish church. There was only a moderate attendance.

The chair was taken by the incumbent, the Eev. T. A. Hamilton, who, after the minutes of the previous annual meeting had been confirmed, read hia report:—

Prior to reviewing the eighth year’s work foi “ the Kingdom,” which they had done together, the incumbent desired to ask their earnest prayers for the increase of the Holy Spirit among: them. He analysed at some length the organisation of a parish as a field for Christian work, and concluded the opening portion of his address as follows:—“Howeyer admirable our machinery may be, however creditable our balance-sheet, we shall fail to do any permanent good unless each one is wholly consecrated to God’s service. Only a Holy Church can be a conquering Church. There is no other force that can subdue the world.” Ihe statistics were fairly encouraging. The attendances at Divine worship at both St, Saviour’s, Temuka, and at St. John the Evangelist’s, Winchester, were very good, both morning and evening. On Easter Sunday the congregations were 160 and 90 respectively, and the communicants 57 and SB, and at the Maori Fab 45 assembled in the after), noon, 13 of whom communicated. The congregation at St. Saviour’s Church bad averaged 97 at the morning service and 122 at the evening service, and at St. John’s the average' had been 50. Monthly services were regularly held at Eangitata Island, Eangitata South, and Eangitata Station, the latter had been started tentatively, and it was doubted if it could be continued. On two Sundays in the month the incumbent held three services, travelling 32 miles. On the other two Sundays two services were held and the Sunday Schools at Temuka and Winchester visited, and the children catechised, &c. The remaining services were efficiently conducted by the Li/ readers—Me H. J. Gladstone at Winchester, and Mr Eobt. Pinckney at Temuka. with occasional assistance from Sir Wm. Blunden. Quarterly services had been held at the Washdyke. The natives at the pah had shown an increasing inclination to accept the incumbent’s services. For the last eight years he had always buried their dead, and be had on several occasions administered the communion ; owitig to want of unity among them, however, no regular services were held. The Wednesday evening services were regularly maintained, the average attendance being 20. Thanks were accorded to Miss Wills, who bad kindly officiated as organiste at these' services. Daily services had been held during Advent and Lent, and every evening during Holy Week. There had been 28 burials, 50 baptisms, and 6 marriages. The death roll was unusually" heavy, the average for a number of years previously having been only 9. This had necessitated increased visitation among the sick. A hearty welcome had been accorded to the new bishop. The chancel of the church at Winchester had been conconsecrated on the 7th June. A confirmation service was held, and an evening special service in the drill shed. During the year the services of Mr W. N, Oathro as a churchwarden and Sunday School teacher had been lost. New arrangements were being made for the circulation of the Parish Magazine, and thanks were due to Mesdames Dunford, Davey, Austin, the Misses Pilbrow, Coppin, and AJ* Sweet, and Mr E. 0. Dana for their kindness in distributing the monthly numbers. Mrs Hamilton had instituted a new plan of circulating wholesome literature by sending out cheap books at 4d and Id. Miss Mehrtens had kindly undertaken the sale of these books and had been very successful. The Bible Claes at the State school had been regularly held and well attended, there being 53 senior pupils and 100. junior. The

prizes were distributed at the annual prize-giving in connection with the District High School. Six special prizes were given by Mr Dann, four by Mr A B G Rhodes, two by Mr Eayner, and one by Mr Pinckney. The remainder, eight in number, were given by the incumbent. The report then enlarged upon the pressing and absolute need of a room for a Sunday

School. The scholars were at present crowded into the church in utter defiance of laws sanitary and scholastic. Although five classes were drafted into the Oddfellows’ Hall the church

was still inconveniently crowded. It was pointed out that the erection of a schoolroom would be the means of establishing a useful centre for church work generally, and could bo used for lectures, teas, concerts, Bible and communicants’ classes, Ac. At present the hire of buildings caused an expenditure more than sufficient to cover the interest on the sum that would be required to erect a building such as was wanted In a neighboring parish a building to accommodate 400 persons had been erected at a cost of £4OO. The incumbent did not think it would be feasible to erect a church for a long time unless substantial aid was offered, He reminded them, however that Mr Hewlings had offered to give section 90 as a site for the purpose when the parish saw its way. The incumbent referred to the abolition of bazaars, and urged the parishioners to remember the true principle of giving, and in conclusion expressed hearty thanks to all Church workers, especially the lay readers and churchwardens, who had given largely of their time. He also thanked the Sunday School superintendent, organist, choir, and workers in every department for their zeal and selfdevotion in the cause of their Master, and urged them “ not to be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” The churchwarden’s report was read by Mr H. Pinckney, and was as follows

“Little or nothing has transpired during the past year to call for more than pissing notice. A perusal of the appended balancesheet will show that the chorch funds stand in about tho same poition ae at the close of 1« «t year, the balance then being £199 8s lid, and now £2lO 10a 6L The only large outlay has been the sum of £26 8s f )r erecting a galvamsed iron fence at the parsonage, the old gorse fence, owing to itß proxim ty to the house, being deemed unsafe in The stipend fund has bad to be supplemented from the

general fund to ttfe extentooly of £1 8s 7d, as against £ls 18s Id last year. The receipts from Winchester this year have reached the sum of £53 2a 6d, which is about the amount which is expected each year from this source. Last year they on'y reacted £37 2s 6d. The list this year, however, inclodes two year’s subscripti»ns from one subscriber. The church, by the sad death of Mr JR. A. Barker, loses a large supporter, but it is hoped that the Winfchestei parishioners will do their best not lo let tire total amount of their subscriptions be less than £SO. The rffartmi-g at Temuka are £9oOs 10J, no agai st £75 7s 8d hut ye»r, the increased amount being mainly accounted for by a co'lrc'ion of ~ vis’fc in Jane l*st. The bazaar was not held this Easter, a harvest home taking its p'ace, from whicii a sum of £l7 is expected to be netted. Ti>e warm thanks of the churchwarden and vestry are tendered to tlie incumbent for hi* faithful ministrations in the parish, to Mrs Hamilton for her 1ab0.3 io »'l good works, to Mrs H. 15. Smith aud Messrs Hearn and Smallridge for collec'ing, and to all willing helpers who. in pirpit, choir, Sunday school, etc,, have given their services for the good of their church. ‘•R. Finoknbt, “ Churchwarden.”

The balance-sheet accompanying it was made out in detail, but its most important figures are embodied in the report. , The Sunday School report showed that everything was working very smoothly, and that the work done had been good. The number of children on the roll was 169, the majority of whom attended regularly. There were in all 15 teachers, including Mrs Hamilton, who takes the sixth standard. The need of a Sunday School was badly felt. Thanks,were due to Mr and Mrs Herbert for special prizes, and to all subscribers to the fund for prizes and treat. Mr Deßenzy had kindly placed “ the blue gums” at their disposal for the 16th December, and the children and parents to the number of 200 had journeyed to Winchester by train and had heartily enjoyed themselves. The total receipts from all sources, including the balance of £9 7s from last year, uere £25 13a 2d. The total expenditure was £l6 19s lid, leaving a balance to credit of Sunday School account of £8 13s Bd. To all teachers hearty thanks were returned, especially to Miss Wills, who had also noted an organist. Mr John Talbot briefly moved the adoption of the reports and balancesheet as read. They revealed most satisfactory results, and more had been done than could have been anticipated, Mr E. Pilbrow seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, S ELECTION oi orricfiES. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton said that he was gratified at being allowed to nominate Mr E. C, Dann as his churchwarden for the ensuing year. Mr Langridge moved that Mr Robert Pinckney be re-elected parishioners’ churchwarden. In doing so he referred in warm terms to his successful conduct of the finances of the parish. They never had had, or ever could have, so punctual, energetic apd capable a man.

Mr A. Nicholas seconded the m otion with the utmost pleasure, and it was only put and carried. Mr Pinckney briefly thanked those present for again re-electing him. This would make the sixth year during which he had acted in that capacity, and he should try as hitherto to do bis best for the church, /

The following vestrymen were then elected—Messrs J T M Hayhurst, J Talbot, J Langridge, A Nicholas, E Pilbrow, R Comer, E Whitehead, J H Walker, G J Mason, and E Chapman.

PAEISH BOOM. Mr J Talbot said it would have been a good opportunity had there been more present to have discussed the propriety of building a parish room, as suggested by the incumbent in his report He should be glad to know if the incumbent bad thought of any particular way of pushing the matter. He had no doubt whatever that the accommodation for the Sunday school was totally inadequate, and probably something would have to be done shortly. Mr Langridge suggested the calling of a parishioners’ meeting to consider the subject. He did not see that it could well be gone on with that evening. The chairman said that it was his duly to lay the matter before them, but that it would, ofc Jurse, necessitate a parishioners’ meeting before anything could be definitely done. .Later on, when bis report in full bad been printed, and was iu the hands of the parishioners, would be time enough. He was of opinion a good wooden building could be erected on the church grounds. The hire of buildings for the use of the Sunday School and other purposes now came to about £l3, and probably another £ls would be. realised by the letting of a building if erected. This would soon extinguish principal and interest. Mr Davey would like an expression of opinion from the churchwarden. The building if erected would have to be a large one, He did not think such a one as that at Winchester would be of much service in a parish like Temuka. The chairman said that he anticipated a building such as was required would cost about £4OO. Mr Talbot said that he took it that £2OO would have to be raised. He thought this would lake some little trouble.' They had a sum of £2OO in hand, and he thought it a pity to leave it idle; but still he had a keen appreciation of the difficulty of raising money by voluntary contribution.

The chairman was convinced that if the minds of the people were set upon it that be would be able to find the means of raising the necessary money, and, in reply to Mr Davey, said that be thought the room should be erected on the church grounds. Possibly when a new church was built the present ono could be removed. After some further consideration, Mr Davey moved—“ 1 hat it be a recommendation to the incoming vestry to consider the advisability of erecting a Sunday School room during tho present year.”

Mr Talbot seconded the motion on the understanding that the vestry would invite the parishioners as a body to discuss the matter. The motion was then put and carried.

TOIES OP THANKS. Mr Talbot bad pleasure in moving a Vote of thanks to the incumbent and Mrs Hamilton for their faithful work during the past year. He believed he was echoing the feelings of all the parishioners m expressing appreciation of the incumbent's work in the parish. This was his eighth year among them, and he sincerely trusted the connection would continue tor a much longer period. The incumbent, as they were probably aware, had been offered several other posts, but he had declined them, and he for one was heartily glad of it. Each year had drawn them closer together, and each year as it passed would make the prospect of parting more severe, Both the incumbent and Mrs Hamilton were peculiarly suited to the parish, and he believed that they themselves would be as sorry to leave it as the parishioners would be at parting from them. He moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the incumbent for his faithful minis tration during the past year, and to Mrs Hamilton for her many valuable services to the parish. The motion was seconded by Mr R.' Pinckney, who endorsed Mi Talbot’s sentiments. He then put the motion, which was heartily carried. The Eev, Mr Hamilton thanked Mr Talbot for the kindly way in which he had moved the vote of thanks. He referred briefly to the work of the parish, and said that although he had received two offers of a change he had felt that he could not sever his connection with them unless it was their wish. Sometimes when the people appeared cold he thought it might be belter to have a change, but as long as the people were satisfied he himself was content. He thanked them for associating Mrs Hamilton in the vote of thanks. She was his helpmeet in all his work, and he assured them that whatever she found to do she did heartily and never spared herself. Mr Q-, Davey movpd a very hearty vote of thanks to the churchwardens and officers. Everything appeared to jbe working well. They had steered their way admirably. The financial I position appeared to be improved, and the attendances had also increased. Mr Lareorabe seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr Talbot, on behalf of the vestry, returned thanks. He said the work of a vestryman was reduced to a sinecure by Mr Pinckney’s exertions No words < f his could mark the appreciation the Church members bad of Mr Pinckney’s services. He must have a keen love for the work or he would not do it with tne zeal that marked his conduct of the Church’s affairs. Mr Pinckney briefly thanked Mr Talbot lor his kind remarks. Special thanks were then accorded to the Sunday School superintendent (Mr R. Pinckney), the teachers, the organist (Mr Proudlock), the oboir, the verger, and all Church workers. The meeting then terminated with tMe Benediction.