ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 474, 15 August 1899, Page 2

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, TE AWAMUTU.

The adjourned annual meeting of parishioners of St. John's Anglican Church, Te Awiimutu, took place Sunday evening last after service. The attendance was very fair. The vicar Rev. Mr Latter presided. The Treasurer (Mr C. A. Taylor) read the reports as follows : Ministers Report.—My dear parishioners : It is difficult for me, having been amongst you only a few months, to review in the usual manner the spiritual history of the district for the past year. I can say, however, with candour, that there is a feeling of warmth and willingness on behalf of church members all over the district to assist cheir clergyman in any way possible to further the interests of the church. The services held in the different part of the district have been well attended Owing to the district beine so large and it being impossible to give extra Sunday services up in the King Country, monthly week-day services have been inaugurated at Otorohanga, Te Kuiti and Poro-o-tarao, and havo been greatly appreciated. Holy Communion has been celebrated at intervals in different parts of the district. I would like to see more of our communicants avail themselves of this means of grace, especially as the opportunity so seldom occurs. The Sunday-schools are all well attended and making good progress. Schools have beon started at Otorohanga and Poro-o-tarao. The annual Sunday-school treat was a great success, and took the form of an outdoor parish gathering, parishioners coming from all parts of the district. Confirmation classes have been held since M&rch. The Bishop held confirmation services at Te Awamutu and Kihikihi on 23rd July, when thirty candidates were presented. Reference to business matters will be made in the Churchwardens' report. I must add in conclusion that the work of the Church officers seems to me singularly thorough and efficient, and I should like to express my warmest thanks to them—to the lay-readers, the ohoir, choir-master, Sunday-school staff and other parochial organizations and to the congregation generally for the personal kindness and courtesy manifested towards me all over the district. I trust there »vill be a deepening of spiritual life amongat us, and this as the result of a true worship of God through our Lord Jesus .Christ is the chief end of our fellowship. That this may be steadily and continually increased in all of us is the prayer of your affectionate minister.

Eki>ort of the Vestry.—Again the vestry hjive the pleasure of being able to meet the parishioners with a credit balance. The accounts show total receipts to be £155 15s 7d and the expenditure £l5O 2s 7d, heaving with lis 6d from last year a credit balance of£6 4s6d. The parsonage fund shows a small increase during the year, the credit balance now being £177 17s. The vestry wish to thank the choir-master for his exertions in obtaining a new organ, and the parish is tp be congratulated in having a good instrument at a moderate cost and one that will last for years. The parish has sustained a great loss in the removal of Mr Long, and the vestry wish to place on record their appreciation of the valuable service« rendered to the parish by that gentleman. Diocesan Pension Fund : To enable the vicar to join this fund, which provides a pension of £IOO per annum for every £ls subscribed, the vestry recommend the parish to subscribe a sum of £lO yearly to the fund.— (Signed) C. A Taylor and Geo. Churches, Wardens.—Accounts : The following is the balance-sheet for the year ending 30th June :—Receipts : Offertories, £53 13s lOd ; districts account stipendAlexandra, £l9 7s 4d ; Rangiaohia, £l6 6s 8d ; Kihikihi, £2O 12s 4d ; King Country, £2 10s, subscriptions to vicar's stipend, £26 3s ; organ fund social (February), £1 17s 5d ; concert (June), £5 ; subscriptions, £6 ; burial fees, £2; parsonage committee, £1 10* (half cost of survey); harvost fruit, las; past balance, lis 6d; total, £156 7s Id. Expenditure: Special collections, £2l4a lid; visiting clergy, £5 13s; Vicar's stipend, £lO6 3s 4d ; working expenses, music, £2 2s lid; sundries, £2 lis 3d ; wine stamps, etc., £1 19s lid ; lighting, £3 14s 6d ; Verger, £7 2s 6d ; insurance, £2 2s ; organist, £5 ; on account new organ, £7 18s 3d ; Alexander's account, survey, £3 ; balance, £6 4s 6d. Total, £156 7s Id. Assets : Cash at Bank, £6 4s 6d ; due for harmonium sold, £7. Total, £l3 4s 6d. Liabilities : Due on organ, £8 12s lOd ; balance, £4 lis Bd. Total, £l3 4s 6d. Parsonage account :—Receipts : Balance forward, £174 17s 2d ; interest on fixed deposit, £5 9s 6d ; stalls at Exhibition, £5 0s 4d ; subscription, Mr Beale, £l. Total, £lB6 7s. Expenditure : Survey, £1 10s ; sewing machine, £7 ; cr. balance, £177 17s. Total, £lB6 7s.—Signed, C A. Taylor, Treasurer; C. Bowden, Auditor.—Thereport and balance-sheet as read, were unanimously adopted. —ln moving its adoption, Mr Teasdale spoke of the great satisfaction ot the past year's work in connection with the Church.

Officers.—The following officers were unanimously elooted for the ensuing year:—The Vicar nominated Mr George Churches as his wardenj'people'e wardenMr C. A. Taylor (re-elected) ; vestry, Messrs J. F. Andrew, C. A. Bowden, J. L. Mandeno, F. Potts and J. Anderson ; auditor, Mr C. Bowden, junr.

Stipend.—lt was resolved that the Vicar's stipend remain the same as last year ; but that the sum of £lO be voted annually towards the ministers' pension fund.—The Vicar expressed himself as being anxious to become a member, and thanked the parishioners for their support. Women Voting.—Mr Gresham had much pleasure in proposing " That the Synod be respectfully informed that in the opinion of the members of S. John's Church, Te Awamutu, the time has now arrived when women should be entitled equally with men to vote on matters connected with church management."— Several spoke favourably on the resolution, and on being put to the meeting was seconded by Mr C. A. Taylor and carried unanimously. Some were in favour of women holding office.—lt was decided that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Synod forthwith.

Damaging Tombstones.—Mr Rickitt brought under the notice of the parishioners present the amount of malicious damage done to tombstones, etc., in the graveyard, which has lately become very annoying. In one instance the cross on one of the stones had been twice broken off, and it was high time the church authorities took some action. He suggested that a notice board be erected and the police spoken to.—The Vicar spoke in favour of the notice board, and finally the matter was left in the hands of the incoming vestry to attend to. Working Bee.—Some discussing took place re having the church yard cleared, and the suggestion that a fund be started to go towards working expenses was supported. Votes ok Thanks.—A hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing officers, layreaders, choir, choirmaster, organist, Sunday-school staff and ladies' sewing guild was passed. The usual short prayer closed the meeting.