ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 84, 16 January 1872, Page 2

ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. " The third annual meeting of the congregation of the Church of England was held last night, at the old church, Rollestonstreet. Between 30 and 40 of the principal members of the congregation were present. The Rev. Lush occupied the chair. The meeting was opened with a prayer by the Rev. Chairman, and tho minutes of the last annual meeting wero then read and confirmed.—Mr J. J. FitzGibbon then read the annual report of tlic Churchwardens. They congratulated tho members of tho Church on the progress that had been made during the year 1871. At the beginning of the past year they had only the frame of the building, which had been designed by Messrs Rumscy and Farrow, and no title to tho ground on which it stood. They now had a legal title to the hand, and a handsome church all but finished, quite large enough for the requirements of ths district. A sum of £930 had been collected from various sources, and lodged in the Bank of New Zealand. The financial affairs of the old church had been extremely prosperous during the last twelvemonths. The offertories for current expenses amounted to £373 5s lid, and for special purposes to £74 15s 9d, or an average of £9 14s 3d for each week. They requested the congregation to bear in mind tiiat they received no aid from any extraneous sources, and hoped they would continue to support tho Church to the utmost of their power. The Sunday School, under the superintendence of Mr West, assisted by more than 20 teachers, had steadily' increased in numbers. There were nearly 200 children on the roll, with an average attendance of 170. Two other Sunday schools were in existence also—one at Tararu conducted by Mr Taylor, and another at Parawai, lately started by Mrs Mackay, assisted by several ladies in the district, and which is in a very flourishing condition. The following statement of accounts was then read by MrFitzGibbou. Balance Sheet for the Yeah ending 31st December, 1871.

Income. —Balance from 15th February, Lll 8s 3d ; pew rents collected, to date, L 224 Is ; offertory, general. L 373 5s lid ; old building fuud account, L 8 18s lid; home missions, LIG 7s 3d; new buildiug fuud, L 49 !)s 7d ; loan account —1). M. Bcere, LSO ; H. Harding, LSO ; Rev. W. Lush, L 5 ; E. Iloniss, L 25 ; buildiug fuud (loan), L4O 10s ; total, L 853 9s lid. Expenditure.—Minister’s stipend, L2G2 10s ; organist and organ-blower, Lsl 8s 8d ; alterations and repairs, L 52 17s ild ; cleaning, LlB 8s Gd ; lighting, Ll 3 Us ; advertising and printing, LG lGs Gd ; insurance, L 7 15s ; commission, collection, pew rents, Lll; rent, L 9 ; land, L2 12s; R. Workman, oil account lawsuit—\ier cheque, L 152 14s lOd ; per cash, L 25 ; budding fund (old loan account), L 8 ISs ltd ; home missions, LIG 7s 3d ; new building fund. L 49 9s 7d ; Church seating, LIOO 'IGs; fcnciug, L 23 ; petty cash payments. LG 13s 4d ; incidental expenses, L 7 3s (id ; registration fees, L 5 ; cheque book, 4s 2d : cashsat Bauk of New Zealand, LI 5 Is 9d ; cash in hand, L 7 Is ; total, LSS3 9s lid. Mr Mason proposed “that the report and balance-sheet, as read, lie adopted;” seconded by Mr D. W. Jones.—Mr Hogg proposed, ns an amendment, “that the report only be adopted, and the Messrs Oldrey' and Lipscy be appointed to audit the balance-sheet.” Seconded by Dr Kilgour. Ho had no doubt but that it was all correct, but it had not been properly audited and brought forward to the congregation.—Mr Lloyd exjilained that the balance-sheet had been audited by two of the Vestrymen simply for the satisfaction of the Vestry, anil that they would be very glad to have it properly done now. —The amendment was then put and carried. —Mr Oldrey wished to know if Mr Iloniss could inform them how the amount of £930 had been collected, and if lie could give them an idea of how much was still owing by the Church, for the new building, to Mr Workman, &c.— He (Mr Iloniss) was not prepared with the accounts of the building fuud ; it was the intention of the Vestry to publish a balance-sheet, with full fists of all monies collected, &c., as soon as the church was finished. The Chairman proposed that the auditors appointed should there and then audit the accounts, but Mr Lipsey objected, and it was determined to adjourn tho meeting for a week at the conclusion of all the business, when the auditors are to bring up the balance - sheet, and at such meeting Mr Iloniss will also bring forward an ad interim balance-sheet of the stale of the building fund, showing the amount of assets and liabilities incurred thereon. —The Rev. Chairman then said the next business was the appointing of two Churchwardens, Messrs FitzGiblion and Iloniss retiring. He had to appoint one himself and the congregation the other. Ho would liavo great pleasure in asking Mr Iloniss to be his Churchwarden for the year, as he thought it would be better to have one gentleman who was well versed in the affairs of the church, in order to assist whoever might he appointed by the members of the Church.—Mr Houiss acceded to the request, and said that lie did so with great pleasure, and considered it a great honour.—Mr Bowden proposed Mr Lloyd, hut that gentleman begged leave to decline.—Mr Oldrey proposed Mr Bowden, which was seconded by Mr Ilogg, and carried, Air Bowden at first declining, but eventually yielding to the unanimous wish of the meeting.—Air Lush congratulated tho meeting on their selection, and stated that Archdeacon Lloyd had always considered Air Bowden as a most valuable aid in church matters whilst he was Warden at St. Paul’s Church in Auckland.—The election of vestrymen in the place of those retiring was then proceeded with.—Dr Kilgour proposed that the old vestry he re-elected, but some of those gentlemen declining to act.—Air Oldrev proposed as an amendment, “That the vestry men be elected seriatim.”—Seconded by MrSandes, and carried.—During the election Air Wallnutt proposed “That the Vestry consist of ten members this year instead of nine as last year.”—This was seconded by Captain Williams, and carried.—The following gentlemen were then proposed, seconded, and duly elected: Alessrs O’Halloran, Puckey, Wallnutt, D. AI. Deere, A. Hogg, Lawlor, W. Lloyd, Chapman, .J. J. Fitzgibbon, and Oldrey.— Air Mason proposed “ That Alessrs Baseley and Newberry be appointed as auditors for the ensuing year.”—Seconded by Air Iloniss. —Air Hogg proposed, as an amendment, “ That the appointment of auditors be left over till the adjourned meeting next week.”—Seconded by Mr Chapman.— The amendment was carried.—Dr Kilgour wished to make a few remarks as regarded the retention of the sittings for seatholders. lie thought that, owing to tho great variety in the clocks of the district, there being no town time, the sittings were not kept long enough after the service commenced. He thought that if the time were altered from tlic reading of the Absolution to that of the Second Lesson it would he better for the members of the congregation.—Mr Bowden said that he was of opinion that the rule now in force need not be altered. The new church was neatly finished, and he

ILiio'ht that on account of the largely in■reasc(l accommodation no one would bo Hjjelyto be kept out of their pews by being ■ little late. —Mr Hogg proposed “That j&e Churchwardens be requested to bring ■p an ad interim report of the state of | lO finances of the building fund at the adjourned meeting to be held next week.” by Mr Lloyd and carried, ■/phis subject had been spoken of at an Harlici' stage of the meeting, but Us no definite proposition had been made ■ this effect, it was necessary that such ■hoald be done.—Mr Power proposed a Bote of thanks to the retiring Church-B-ardcns and Vestry for their services and ittrntion to the affairs of the Church luring the past year.—Seconded by Mr I', Sarnies, and carried. — Mr Wm. Lloyd, senior Vestryman, thanked them for a| lC ir kind expression of approval of their |the Vestry’s) conduct, and hoped that |]ie new members would work as Bell and amicably together as the old ones | a d done. He had never had the Ileasiirc of working witli a better body.— I[r Mason proposed, “ That the thanks of |lie congregation be tendered to those ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly insisted in the getting up of and taken m rt in the soiree, concert, gift-auction, iratorio, and other means for raising the unds for the building of the new church.” -Seconded by Mr Chapman, and carried manimously. —Mr Lloyd proposed a vote if thanks to the ladies arid gentlemen onning the choir for their services during he past year. —Seconded by Mr Fltz;ibbon and carried.—Mr Power, on rehalf of the members of the choir, hanked the meeting, and said that he members attended services and iractiees with great regularity, and ihvays paid great attention to their luties. —Dr Kilgour proposed a vote of [hanks to the Chairman, seconded by Mr Lloyd, and carried unanimously. The iicetiug then adjourned to next Monday.