HAMILTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 97, 20 February 1897, Page 2

HAMILTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

TheKK was a very good attendance at the annua! congregational meeting in connection with the above church on Thursday evening, considering the inclement weather. The Minister (Rev. J. M. Mitchell) presided, and opened the meeting with devotional exercises. The Secretary submitted a verbal report, and referred to the improved aspect of tke church and grounds as indicative of the increased interest taken in church matters. He said that was the first congregational meeting held for nearly five years, the last having taken place on 18th April, 1893. In looking back the three previous years, he found that the average collection for three services per Sunday (two in Hamilton and one in the out districts) had been 225, and for the last nine weeks it had been nearly trebled, having averaged £2 18s. It was hoped that when better attention was paid t'o the various out-districts there would he a still further increase. The congcgation had been generously helped by tri'-nds in Scotland and Auek land, as well as in their own district, and there was a far healthier feeling manifest in church matters ecnerally. On the motion of the treasuter (Mr Gardiner), seconded by Mr Reid, the report was adopted. The Treasurer submitted the balancesheet for the period from February 23rd to December 31st, IS'JG. It was explained that ro record could be found ic ating to the first eight Sundays of the year. The following is tho statennnt of annual accounts:—Receipts: Hamilton, collections, £67 9s Id ; Hamilton West, subscriptions, £l2 4s Gd ; Hamilton Kast, subscriptions,'£3 2s Gd ; Kirikiriroa, subsetiptions, £6 ss: Uev. Scott West's lecture, £4 lis Gd ; rent of Manse, £3 : sale of lamps, 5s ; induction social, £9 9s 9d ; Hukanui, collections, £4 5s 8d ; Hukanui, subscriptions, £2 lvs Gd ; Marsh Meadews, collections, £3 12s 8d ; Marsh Meadows, subscript ions, ]2s Gd ; Tamahere, collections, £2 9s Id ; Tamahere, subscriptions, 10s; Pukete, collections, £1 15s Gd; Whatawhata, collections, lGs 9d ; total, £123 2s. Expenditure : Stipend, £BB ; interest, £2l; lighting, £2 7s ; rent of hall, £2 4s Gd ; insur&nce, £4 0s 7d ; incidental expenses, 17s ; balance to improvement account, £4 10s lid ; total, £123 2s. Church improvement account : Receipts : Subscriptions as per lists, £lO2 5s ; nett proceeds of entertainments given by Captain Reid, £ll 14s 9d ; children's cards for fencp, £3 5s 7d ; by lance from annual account, £4 10s lid; balance, £lO 3s 9(1 ; total, £132. Expenditure : T. *V. Maunder, £35 ss; Parr Bros., £l2 10s 3d ; T Evans, £2l ; A. Merr.ngton. £3l lls9d; Wingate and Co., £lO Gs 2d ; Morrin and Co., £1 Is ; sundries, £2 lis 8d ; J. Hammond, £8 16a ; G. McCaul, £1 lis 2d; J. Steadman, £0; J. T. Garlick. £1 7s ; total, £132. On,the motion of the Secretary,seconded by Mr R. Henry, the baJanco-shtet was adopted. Mr Knox then moved: "That this congregation desires to express its deep sense of thankfulness to Almighty God for moving the hearts of the colonial committee of the Free Church of Scotland to come to its help at a time when its state seemed hopeless, and trusts that it may be enabled to show its appreciation of the privileges and advantages with which it is being so liberally endowed by its increased earnestness and diligence in the work before it." Mr Henry, junr., seconded the resolution, which was carried twin eon. On the motion of Mr Reid, seconded by Mr Knox, the foliotving were appointed a committee for the ensuing year : Messrs Ingram, McDonnell, Gilmour, Hatrick, Gardiner, Jas. Primrose, McGuinness and Henry The following were appointed to collect quarterly subscriptions in the various districts :—Hamilton West, Mrs Ridler ; Hamilton Kast, Miss Neilson ; Kirikiriroa, Mr McDonnell ; Tamahere, Mr Smart ; Hukanui, Mr John Primrose ; Marsh Meadows, Miss Runciman ; Whatawhata, Mr Pilkington ; Pukete, Mr A. Allen. Voces of thanks were then passed to Mr Ingram, for lighting the church, ringing the bell, etc.; Miss Reid, for her services as organist ; and also to the superintendent and Sabbuth-school teachers. On the motion of the Chairman, a special vote of thanks was passed to the Secretary and Treasurer for their untiring efforts on behalf of the chinch. The motion, which was spoken to by several members, was carried by acclamation, and was suitably acknowledged. This being all thn busiuess, the meeting was closed by the chairman pronouncing the benediction. At a subsequent meeting of the committee the Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected.