ST. PETER'S CHURCH, HAMILTON.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 321, 30 July 1898, Page 2

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, HAMILTON.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of the «bove church was held in the school-room last evening. The Incum bent presided, and there was a larger attendance than there has been for some years, and had it not been for the rain there would have doubtless been many more. The proceedings were opened with prayer. Report. The annual report and balance - sheet were read as follows : —The Vestry have little of special in terest to report during the last twelve months. The order of services and the outside aids are exactly the same as when the last report was presented to the parishioners. —The' Late Mr C. A. Davis : It is with sincere regret that the Vestry have to report the death of one of their number, Mr C. A. Davis, of Silverdale. Mr Davis was an eilicieut and energetic member of the Vestry, and will be greatly missed by his fellow-members in their deliberations.— The Choir : The Vestry regret to have to report that Mrs Whitaker has had to resign the position of conductor through ill-health, and desire to tender her "their best thanks for her valuable assistance in the past. Miss Newell is still the honorary and most efficient organist—Sale of Work: In December last a sale of work and concert was given by the ladies of the congregation to augment the general revenue of the Church, and £3O 14s 8d was realised. — Sunday-school : There arc 90 scholars attending the Sundayschool—4o boys and 50 girls—and the teaching staff consists of seven female teachers. An entertainment, inaugurated by Mrs Murray and Miss Sandes, in aid of the school,'was given during the year. The total amount received for the Sunday-school was £ll 18s.—The Vicar : In May last the Vestry received a letter from the Primate, suggesting that the Vicar should retire, and that the Vestry should guarantee him a pension of £SO per annum, in addition to paying the stipend cf a young and energetic clergyman, who should be placed in charge of the district, and that the young and energetic clergvman should enter on his new duties on July Ist. The Vestry replied that they considered Mr Bitgs was competent to carry on the work of the parish, and desired uo change at present, and that they believed this to be the opinion of the parishioners.— Returns of the Year; During the year there have beeu 19 baptisms, 4 marriages, 21 confirmations, 14 burials, 7 Churching*, 125 communicants, 49 celebrations, 504 receptions. There have been four meetings of the Vestry.—Finance : The total receipts for the year were £207 19s lOd, and the expenditure £212 13s Sd ; the general offertories amounted to i," 158 8s Id, and the spec ; al offertories to £lB 17s Id, and the amounts from other sources to £34 12s lOd, including £3 18s 2d, balance brought forward. The Easter offeriug, which was devoted to the reduction of parish liabilities, amounted to £lO 2s Gd. In the last report an appeal to the congregation was made to increase their contributions, and the Vestry would feign make the same appeal again. The burden of Church expenditure ought to be a light one to bear in connection with St. Peter's. There are no pew rents, and the only paid offices are those of the Vicar and Verger. The amount received through the offertory is very discouraging, and the Vestry hope for more generous treatment during the current year.—The thanks of the congregation are due to all those who have in any way assisted in the work of the Church. —Statement ot receipts and expenditure fer the year end.nl 30th June, IS9S : Receipts : To balance cash in hand, £3 ISs 2d; sale of work, £3O 14s 8d; general offcrlorie?, £loS Ss Id ; special offertories, £IS 27s Id; overdraft at Bank of New Zealand, £2B 2s lOd—total, £240 0s 10.1. Expenditure :By overdraft at Bank" of New Zealand. £22 19s 2d; stipend, £150; verger, £18; lighting, £4 ; insurance, £7 9s Gd ; rates, £2 : special offertories, £2l 9s 4d ; interest, £1 13s 3d ; wine, £1 12-i ; Synod expenses, 17s Gd : sundries, £5 12s Id; cash in hand, £4 Ss—total, £240 0s lOd. —Statement of assets and liabilities as at 30th Jane, 1898:—Assets: To Sunday-school building, £174; Lots 449 and 450, £120; piano, £35; Sundayschool furniture, £l2; rent due, £4; cash in hand, £4 8s- total, £350 Bs. Liabilities : By stipend, £l2 10s ; verger, £3 ; Hamilton bond, £6O : Sandes and Co., £1 18s 3d ; Waikato Argus, £S : Sunday - school harmonium, 17s Sd : church matting account, £2 Is 3d ; overdraft at Bank of New Zealand, £2S 2s lOd—total, £ll6 10s.—Mr R. W. Dyer moved the adoption ot the report and balance-sheet.—Seconded by Mr Coates and carried. Pkw Rents.—Mr M. G. Fairer moved that those members of the church who desire to obtain pews be allowed to rent them.—Seconded by Dr. Kenny.—Mr J. S. Kdgocumbe moved that subscriptions be used as a means for obtaining revenue—Seconded by Mr R. J. Gwyune.— The ladies being particularly interested in this matter, it was decided to allow them to vote, and the result was that the amendment was carried by a large majority, but the ladies did not largely avail themselves of the opportunity. Officers,—Mr Coates was again nominated as Vicar's Warden, and Mr Soppctt was re-elected People's Warden. —The number of the Vestry was fixed at live, and the following were re-elected, viz. :—Messrs Atkinson, Dyer, Fairer, Gwynne, Stevens.—Messrs (J. and J. Edgecumbo were re-appointed auditors. THANKS.— Votes of thanks were passed to all who have assisted in Church work dining the year, Mrs Whitaker and Miss Newell being specially mentioned. The meeting closed with the Gratia. At a meeting of the Vestry held subsequently, all the members were present, except Mr Atkinson. Mr R, W. Dyer was re-appointed Secretary and Mr R. J. Gwynne Treasurer. Refreshments kindly provided by Mrs Stevens were then handed round and enjoyed by those present, after which a short musical programme was given, items being rendered by Mrs Whitaker and Mr Shearson, and an orchestra composed of Miss Newell, piano ; Mesrs s. Harker, violin ; R. Land, clarionette ; J. Monro, cornet ; J. E. Edgecumber, 'cello ; and Dr. Kenny, double bass.