ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9078, 30 April 1908, Page 5

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS. The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Matthew's Church was held in the Sunday school room of the church :last evening. The building was crowded, and Mr Jackson, parishioners' churchwarden, presided. The annual report stated that there was a general improvement in the finances of the parish. The expeniture for the year ended March 3lKt, 1908, had been very large, including a necessary outlay on the organ. The deficiency of £3l 10s 6d I at the beginning of the year had been wiped off, and there was now no dehit balance at the bank. During ! the year meetings were held to formulate a scheme for the erection of a new church on the site already secured. The financial proposal suggested by Mr Beard had not been endorsed by the Diocesan Trustees, and consequently no progress had been made in the direction of erecting a new building. The churchwardens were of the opinion that the only way to secure a much-needed new church was by establishing a strong building fund. The £2lO derived annually from the church acre would be devoted towards such funds, and the hearty co-operation of the parishioners was solicited in the direction of financing the new building. Mr Robins, verger for over thirty years, had found it nceessary to resign owing to old age. A suitable recognition of his faithfulness and fidelity to the church was contemplated by the vestry. The resignation of the Vicar, the Rev. A. M. Johnson, M.A., had been received. The Rev. Mr Herbert Watson, of Aramoho parish, had been appointed his successor. The parishioners were earnestly requested to give their very best united aid in advancing the work of the church, and also to guarantee the balance of curate's stipend. During the year the choir, Sunday school teachers, and lay readers had carried out their labours of love in a satisfactory manner, and they deserved the hearty recognition of the parishioners for the services willingly and freely rendered in the service of God and the church. The balance-sheet showed a cash credit balance of £4 16a 7d. The chairman pointed out that it was the first occasion upon which a credit balance had been- shown, and thia was due to the untiring energy and self-sacrifice of the Vicar, the Rev. Mr Johnson.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Parishioners' Churchwarden, Mr E. H. Waddington; Vestry, Messrs C. A. Tabuteau, G. A. Jones, Tomlin, J. L. Murray, Fendall, W. P. James, Snellgrove, J. Halligan, C. D. Fendall; Auditors, Messrs C. Perry and W. B. Lamb; Synodsmen, Messrs A. H, Wrightson and T. Proctor.

WELCOME TO THE NEW VICAR. At the conclusion of the annual meeting of parishioners of St. Matthew's yesterday evening, a welcome was extended to the Rev. H. Watson, successor to Rev. Johnson, who has been appointed to the charge of St. Mark's Church, Wellington. Mr Jackson, chairman of the proceedings, in a eulogistic speech, extended a hearty welcome to the new vicar. The chairman, during the course of hi 3 remarks, said thet for the first few months a new vicar had a very trying time, and he asked the congregation not to be too hasty in forming an opinion of Mr Watson. They should not expect too much, but should all endeavour to work together and assist their new vicar. The i Revs. Young and Edwards paid specI ial tributes to Mr Watson's ability, and assured the congregation they were getting a minister possessed of many sterling qualities and excep. tional ability. Mr Brown, in welcoming the vicar, expressed the hope that every effort WdiM bsjpade by the congregation to assist him.' "* The Rev. Mr Watson, replying, 1 expressed gratificaton at the hearty welcome that had been accorded him. He recognised that there was a lot of work that had to be done, and he requested the co-operation of the parishioners. He mentioned that he had with him at Aramoho aMr Reay, who had acted in the capacity of lay evangeli&t, whom he had known for several years. That gentleman w,as at present at St. John's College, and he hoped to be ordained in the near future. Mr Watson said he proposed securing Mr Reay to assist him in his work in the parish when he left the college. VALEDICTORY. Prior to the conclusion of the meeting. Mr Jackson, On behalf of the members of the church, presented the Rev. A. M. Johnson with a silver tray suitably inscribed. Mr Jackson, in making the presentation, said the late Vicar of St. Matthew's had been unsparing of himself, zealous, conscientious in the discharge of his many , duties, and keenly interested in all matters pertaining *o the welfare of the church in the parish. He also handed to Mr Johnson for Mrs Johnson a silver tea service. Mr Mason, of Taueru, on behalf of the St. Albans parishioners, presented the Rev. Mr Johnson with a purse of sovereigns. The rev. gentleman was also the recipient of a case of JJpipes from the teachers of St. Matthew's Sunday school. Mr Johnson, in returning thanks, said he was a proud man that night. He was proud of the balance sheet. He had worked with the object of freeing the church from debt, and he was pleased he had succeeed. The gifts he had received would servo to remind him of the time he had spent in Masertton.