ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1938, Page 6

ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH

ATTAINMENT OF IDEAL PROGRESS SHOWN IN ALL ACTIVITIES The annual meeting of parishioners of St Matthew’s, Masterton, was held in the Parish Hall last evening. The vicar, the Rev E. J. Rich, presiding over a good attendance of parishioners. In reviewing the work of the parish during the year,. the vicar expressed his appreciation of the consideration and help that was so freely given to him during the five and a half months that he was without the assistance of a curate. To him the past year was a memorable one, as it saw the attainment of their ideal of a parish free of debt. All activities of the church had shown progress, and he asked for the assistance and co-operation of the parishioners to the youth campaign that would be launched shortly by the Bible Class Union in its endeavour to further the Kingdom of God. After transferring an amount of £lOO to a Reserve Fund, there was a credit balance in hand of £42 16s lOd, and all trust funds were intact, and all buildings in good repair. Notwithstanding the wonderful response to the debt reduction appeal, the offertories for the year showed an increase of £55. On behalf of the parishioners, Mr J. Ninnes expressed appreciation and thanks to Mr and Mrs Rich and assistants for the wonderful service the}’ were rendering to St Matthew’s Parish. Mr Rich, he said, was a real leader, and it was due to his leadership that the parish had attained the position it held today. Votes of thanks were passed to the Ladies' Guild and Girls' Club for financial assistance during the year. To the choirmaster, organist and choir for the wonderful service rendered, and to all the church organisations which had in many ways rendered valuable services. The election of officers for 1938 resulted as follow:—Vicar's warden. Mr R. E. Maunsell; people's warden, Mr J. Ninnes; vestrymen. Messrs E. J. Coleman. E. Hale, W. L. Hunter. G. Hyde, Owen Jones, C. R. Mabson and W. Vowell; synodmen, Messrs P. G. Ramsay, and A. Owen Jones; hon secretary. Mr A. Owen Jones; hon treasurer, Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale; hon auditor. Messrs G. W. Sellar and N. 11. James. Vote of thanks and appreciation were accorded to the hon auditors. Messrs G. W. Sellar and N. H. James, for services rendered over a number of years.