St. MATTHEW'S LADIES GUILD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2831, 24 February 1888, Page 3

St. MATTHEW'S LADIES GUILD.

A meeting was held in St. Matthew's Schoolroom yesterday, for the purpose of receiving the Treasurer's report, and to decide which object should have the benefit of the funds which had accrued during the year, as a result of the efforts of the Masterton Ladies' Guild, There were preseut-Mesdames W. H, Beetham, Tabiteau, Boddington, Climie, J. J. Freeth, 0. J. Freeth, Payton, and Misses Beard, Mason, Keeling, Reimenschneider, Jupp, and Variance. The Treasurer's statement was read, and showed the total nett receipt's for the year ending 81st December, 1887, to be JE46l2s Gd.

Mr Grundy, who attended asone of the Churchwardens, addressed the ladies, at Miss Beard's request, aud said he believed this was the second year in which they had met for a similar purpose, and that it was gratifying to find that the sum collected was. so large, being only about M below that of last year. He might say that the parish affairs certainly required the help offered. List year the ladies' gift was devoted to reducing the overdraft, which was done to the extent of about £SO. It was thought, however, that it would have beeii better to have applied it to maintenance expenditure such as the stipend. Altogether, there was a total outstanding of about £450 on the part of the Church, and the vestry had decided not to incur during the present year, any constructive expenditure in the way of additions or improvements, but only that required to keep current Church affairs going. He might say that the parish at the present time was going back at the rate of about £IOO a year, and they really could not do without outside help, such- as was being rendered in the present instance. Miss Beard, who was shortly leaving or England, had of necessity been obliged to resign her position as Treasurer of the Guild, and he hoped with the necessity that existed for it, a committee or some othor arrangement would be made for carrying on such a valuable organisation. Miss Beard, he might mention, wished to express her recognition of the kind way in which she had ; always been treated by householders and others, while they, he thought, should equally testify to the regret which they felt at losing h'er devoted and valuable services.

It was then proposed, seconded, and unanimously carried, that the accumulated amount, £4012s 6d, should bo devoted to reducing the outstanding stipend. It was also decided to con

tinue the Guild, and that the following j ladies should be authorised to collect and .manage affairs on its behalf:— Mesdamea Boddington (secretary), W. H. Beetham, and J. J, Freeth. The ladies, before adjourning, arranged to meet on Thursday next, at four o'clock to make arrangements for holding a bazaar shortly. A hearty vote of thanks was also unanimously passed to Miss Beard for her kind voluntary help in the affairs of the Guild, and for her unrelaxing efforts for the welfare of the parish generally.