S. PETER'S CHURCH, HAMILTON. Annual Meeting of Parishioners.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1339, 29 January 1881, Page 2

S. PETER'S CHURCH, HAMILTON. Annual Meeting of Parishioners.

In presenting our .innual repoit for the year 1880, w .ire glad to be .ib!c to congiatulate you upon the prosperity of the church, notwithstanding the general financial depression which has existed in this district in common with the rest of the colony Our revenue from oidinary services has been £362 10s, agiinst £tfo i?s yd for the 1879. Hesules which, we ha"c ha 1 a grant from the L.P.C.K. of £50, and proceeds of organ recital, £6 t=;s. These too latter items enabled us to cleat off Parsenagc loan No. 1, amounting to £38 iossd, and to complete the buck retaining wall which had been built in trout of church allotment by the Borough Counul.m consequence of rutting down of the street. We .ilso put up a small buildinn at the west end ot the church for the veiger for lamp cleaning, and also a protection when in wet weather vlnle unging the bell. The pulpit has been altered, and a pr.ijcr desk and lectern added to church turnituie ; but this work has been done b> private donations. I lie new gate at the foot of the steps, and a gate and fence at the side of the church to prevent horses iiom roaming into the garden h.i\e been kindly piescnted to the church by, 'Mi Gwjnno, erected at Ins own cost, for which the thank, ot the\estryaie tendered to him. All the available scats being let, and there bein< still a demand for sittings, we would suggest to the incoming Vestry tint they consider the matter of increasing sitting aecomod ition. We would also remind them that accoultng to the requirement of the Synod the • Chinch will have to be painted this >eai, which , will necessitate a speci il effort to 1 use the funds. The removal of the bell from its present position [ to one ot the gables ot the chinch would, we > beg leave to suggest, be an impiovcment, and » gre.it public convenience. Ihe Sunday sei vices held in Hamilton hast, bv the Rvi. H. S ' Davis, have been suspended, and the ]>lshop Ills found a laiger sphere ot usefulness for Mr Davis, he hiving taking clurge of a portion ot the Waipa district, rstoiidmg from A'ganiau.ihia to Hunth, Ihe Public H ill'liustce-> having failed to fulfil then conditions with , the Vest! 3, in regaidfo .iffoidiniy .SuiKl.l3 School 1 acommodation, the Vestn propose, with the to- ,. operation of the members of the c lunch, to take steps towaids the erection ot a Sundi) -school, s appropii.itinar to that puipose the £150, proceeds 1 ot bazaar. Ihe debt on the Chuicli and P nso1 nage, although somewhat reduced list jc.ii, is still £">?€> 18s, and the inteiest on tins aiim is a l " heavy drain on our resourscs. On the motion of Mr Vhlou, seconded - by Mi- S. T. Seddou, the report and 2 balance-sheet were adopted. 2 The Chan man then in accoi dance with r his usual custom read the following: 3 address : — "M v dearly beloved B reihi en : , Ouce more, for the sixth time, I arrTcalled 1 to presido over the annual meeting of i Parishioners at Hamilton, and it is worth 1 while to remind you that until 1876 the 1 average of Church Meetings was not moie c than 12 to 15, but we may be thankful i that much moie inteipst has beeu tikeri c in church matters during the last five c years than <iforetime. It is with cons aiderable jrrafiti cation that I lay claim t<> t being the fiist clergyman who Ins lived b through six annual meeting*:, and that I s am now the senior parsci of theWaik.ito; - and thi^ gratification is increased by the knowledge that although eut&Me these i walls and thp general church work th»ro 1 has been a considerable depression, nev^r3 thple-s we stand to-day in iinanci.il 5 matters neaily £100 better off than we 3 were a year a<ro. For so wo learn from 3 our two excellent chuiohwa, d»W report. 2 And as far as the spiritual w< rk of the I jjansh is concerned, for which I may be allowed to speak, I must say, and with . the revere nee befitting- soseiious a subj •< t, ! 1 believe that Hamilton ehurcb1 folk of day recoafni^e more fully ( illowmg 3 for chaugres and abbences) thoir blesbinprs, 3 their duties, and their privihsyes as sinners . needing- grace and pardon — as members . of that spiritual body, Hk< Holy Church T which He left under the guiuan^c of the Biowd Spirit tho Comforter. We have t had trials — troubles and disputatious of a f arreater or a lesser dearree; s >mo 5 have left us for fiosh scenes aud pastures new, " and with sti\in«eis 1 make their home. Some havo gone fiom 1 us for ever, longer here they might not L- stay, they have reached a fairer region, faraway." Aud some have left us, more sad still, not +'eehng or not knowing and understanding what spirit we are of, in- | chned to ask as did the children of Isiael, thousands of years ago, What mean ye by this service ? Afraid that our decent , celebration of divme service rather tended i to alienate the fathful from our church ; ■ forge tt ing '■hat a discreet and dignified English service is the greatest and i strongest bulwark against cereino3 nialisni or the one hand, or indifferent- | ism and carelessness on the other. - I may mention that a very prominent and well-known committeeman of the , C.M.S. in England, who was in » Hamilton a few months ago. declared ' that he was much impressed with the , dignified simplicity of our service, the careful, reverent singing of our choir. , Nnw this is an opinion which I, tracing . carefully as I do the line of thought • among churchmen in the old country, cannot fail to be thankful for, for it con- ' firms me in my conviction that a discreet [ dignified Anglican service, much on the pattern of English ■ athedrals, is best r adapted for the religious education of . Englishmen. I know there are some who do not think or feel as I do, but I am thoroughly convinced that all men will ' agree with me that if anyone haa a grievance, concerning the administration of the [ parish, that it is only fair that those who ■■ feel the grievance should speak to the I parson of the parish about it ; and I trust ! all will believe me when I say no one is more wishful to meet the desires a.nd convictions, (superficial opinions do, not ; connt for much) of those who worship in this place. I cannot conclude this address without mentioning with deepest gratitude fcli§ kindly 00-oper-atlan of my churchwarden, Mr H. P. Sandes, the people's warden, Mr Laishjey, and the treasurer, Mr Le Quesne. JNo one knows, unless he has served as a vestryman to how great a degree, honest, faithful Jayrnei* qan assM a parson in h,ls, work. To ths rest qf i}h.a, vestry 1 am also much indebted, especially to those who have sent apologies for non-atten-dance at Yestry-meetingfc, and to those who have so ably assisted in the collection of church dues and seat rents, and I trust that those elected thid year to serve as vestrymen will endeavour -as far as in them lies to divideiequaUy the burden of waiting and fy^tlghine in'^the interests of ; ra&.paris.Q,. , jDargchial wqrUi^g 1 dOfi^patiah^ttie^ 'phweh^araens' k^

ioners have an opportunity of knowing about church work, I do not apologise for speaking, of my work as the minister of Christ for you. Of Sunday services, I have held 101, 51 evening, 29 morning, and 21 early celebrations of Holy Communion. Mr Davies, 12 services 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lay Services.— Mr R. F Saudes 6, Mr S. T. Seddon 3, and Lieut -Col. Lyon 1. We have also had 47 Wednesday evening services. There have been 29 celebrations of H.C., ,and 543 communicants; all this is at S Peter's, in addition to fortnightly services at Hamilton East, being a large increase in number of services and communicants as well as offertories upon 1879. Our Sun-clay-school is about the same, nearly 100 children and 8 teachers. We have lost the ser rices of Mr Sam. Seddon, who worked wiih us for nearly 7 years, and to whom the Sunday-school owes a large debt of gratitude. Mr Logic has kindly undertaken to be Superintendant, and Mr George Dickenson teacher and Librarian. The choir is still flourishing, though we should be glad of more voices, especially trebles. Miss Newell has been appointed organist, and the late organist says the change is for the better. The Parson's warden, Mr R. F. Sancles, has this year done what we never managed to do till his advent, i.e. attended to the seating of the congregation, regular attendants and visitors. This means a great comfort to the parson and congregation, in quietness during the early part of the service.. I cannot help recurring to the feeliug which I know is prevalent among all churchpeople, that they are not visited by the parson quite so much as they expect. Would you be surprised to hear that the average monthly visits of your parson were 150, covering over 150 miles per month. I know you well believe me when I say I am not boasting, but simply stating facts to show that it is from no want of interest in the work committed to his charge which prevents your parson from being a more constant visitor. One word more and lam done. Let it be a solemn duty and responsibility received, .tnderstood, and accepted by every churchman, to keep up the dignity and integrity of our Communion. Let every churchman remember that the honour of his church is in his hands. Let him be most careful never to disgrace it by want of honesty, purity or sobriety. Let every churchman remember that the progress of J the Church is in his hands. Let every one, then, do all they can to bring folks to church, children to school, and introduce the par&on to all new comers, inform him of the sick and afflicted, that all may know what is indeed the glory of the unity of the bo ly of Christ, and may God bless us all. The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year. T"'o Chiirman nominated Mr R. "F Sand s as his warden, and Mr Laishley li.ivmu; deoliued to a^ain fill the position of people's warden, Mr P. Ls Quesno was app'iintxl to that office. Te.i payishionevc* h.vvinsj been nominated for the office of vestrymen, a ballot was tikeu, reulting in the election of the fullowin<r seven : — Me-sfLaishley, A. Swarbruk, G. Edgeoumbe, J. M. Gelling 1 , F. Gaud m, James Hume and C. Johnson. Me-.-rb Kennedy Hill and Logic were elected auditors. The Chairm in, af i-er expressing a hopp tint the new vestiy and ldm-.lt! would work together harmoniousiy, intimate'! th it it was competent for any member now to bring forward and discuss any matters affectinpr the church. Mr R. Gwynne, as aietiring: member of the Vestry and a member of the Bazaar Committee, desired permission to &ay a few words on the matter of the B Uciciv and the funds. A short time airo at a meeting of the vestry it w<is resolved to wiiteto the Building Committee of the Public Hall Trustees asking what steps had been taken by that budy. The latter had thereupon called a meeting- to discuss the matter at the Borough Council Chambers. At; that meitinsr an impres-ion seemeJ to exist in the minds of many that the bum set, apart from the proceeds of the Bazaar should not be applied to the erection of ea Sunday-School, which was the sole pnrpo^f the Bazaar Committee had in view. It was not until tho Btizair had been poiriir on for some days, that the t-usfg'estion to apply the proceeds towards the election of a public hall was made. The Bazaar Committee bad fallen in with tbe suggestion. The promoters of the Hall were however, not satisfied with a promise of assistance, they induced the B usaar committee to guarantee a sum of £100 to wards the erection of the Hall, which it was understood, should bo at the disposal of th 3 Church for Sunday-school purposes, and also for choir practice. Although the Bizaar Committee m making this guarantee, took a considerable n-k, they agreed to do it because they oonsideierl .i public hall was badly wantei in Hamilton. The Bazaar however, fortunately, tinned out a success, and they actunlly found themselves with more funds than were required. The money promised, had been b. inked so a^ to be available at any moment to be applied to the erection of a hall. They had carried out their part oF the agreement, but the others had failed to perform their part of tli3 contract. Wh.it he wished to impress upon them was this, that at the'ineetiuy lecently held it seemed to bo the opinion of miny, that the church had got quite enough out of tho Bazaar. This was very unfair, and in taking up that stand, the Hall Committee had done the church a great wrontr. He wished the incoming vestiy to be thoroughly oouversant with tho facts of the case, and for that reason he had spoken. As the other parties had entirely failed to carry out their agreement, the church was free to deal with the funds in any manner it pleased. The Hall committee should be calTed upon, either to erect the building' proposed by them, or refund the £150. Mr Vialou was not aware that the money had even been m the hands of the Hall Committee, and they could not therefore refound it. Mr K. Hill thought the discussion was altogether outside the purpose for which this meotiug was held. He did not think it was in order. If it were he would like to see a resolution proposed, instead of allowing the conversation to go on. The Chairman said he did not like to be arbitrary. It had been laid down by the Bishop that these annual meetings were simply committees of the whole parish, and as such he thought the freestscope should be afforded for the discussion of all matters affecting the parish. He wished this inatt°r of the Sunday Schoot to be fully discussed. At the meeting held about a month ago he was present He went with Mr Grwynqe, but unofficially the n^eetinsf had been adjourned till February, and he thought churchmen ahaujd at that meetingdemand this money, which had been banked by the trustees, provided the public hall men were not prepared to carry QUt their- contract. EJither- let them. build, the hall or hand the mon,ey qver. to, the qhurch tfx erect a. Sunday Sabao.!- He wished the meeting to move in the matter, ao that who ever attended the meeting might go fully armed. If they showed a determination to get their rights they would get them. He trusted some motion would pc tabled. Mr Vialou thought they oujjht not to recosmis« the meeting to be held on the 4th proximo. It was for them to consider what shou.lcL be done \yith, tfye. mcaiey ? ,^nd to, rn^akQ ajralle^tum tq t^e B,uudirig Comnritteie of the proposed hall !, to fiiicl ,oui i£ ( fchej were going ip imlifhat

made to the Bank of New Zealand to have the money handed over fco the Vestry. He moved to that effect. Mr 0. Johnson hoped the requirements of the Volunteirs would not be left out of consideration. He would agree to the appropriation of the money for a Sundayhchool, provided the Vestry wou.ld.a,llow the use of the building to the Cava&f . • The Chairman would like to fieo #jlftle* gate appointed to attend the meeting to be held on the 4th February, at which t!i« mutter wa' intended to be finally settled. It should be an instruction to the delegates to prevent, if possible, any further postponement of the matter. Mr Vialou reminded the chairman that he had a motion before the chair to the effect that the hall committee be written to know whether they intend to proceed with the building or not.. The motion was seconded by Mr Gwynne. Mr Hill said they had seen from the balance sheet that the church was still considerably in debt. The want which was felt for a public hall two years ago did n<"-t now exist, as a large building 1 suitable for all purposes had been erected, on the other side of the river. He would suggest that the £150 be devoted to reducing the debt upon the church building ■which could be used for school purposes a year or tffo longer. The Chairman said a school building was badly wanted for many reasons, Rome of which he gave. Regarding Mr Vialou' 8 motion, he might be allowed to point out, that, the recommendation or instruction contained in it had already been acted upon, and they had tacitly agreed to await the . result. ATr G. Edgecurabe moved as an amendment to Mr Vialou' s motion, that they take no further aotion until after the meeting on the 4th. Mr Laishley seconded the amendment and pointed out that the meeting on the 4th was called for the purpose of giving a definite answer to a rpquest, similar to that suggested by Mr Vialou. Mr Joliniton usked if permission would be given to the Cavalry to use the Sundayschool building P The Chairman said one vestry could not bind enother, and application would have to be made annually. For his part, he had no objection. MrLiishley could see no objection in arrantincr the use of the building for such and similar purposes. After some further discussion, both motion and amendment were withdrawn. Mr Hill moved "That the £150 be devoted to paying off the debt on the church." This proposition met with considerable opposition, Mr Vialou and others contending that the object of the Bazaar had been to erect a Sunday-.sohool. Tho motion, not finding a seconder, lapsed. Ultimately the following resolutions were carried:— (l.) Moved by Mr Laishley, aud heconded by Mr Gaudin, " That this meetinyr is of opinion that the Bazaar proceeds should be dovoted to building a Sunday-school." (2.) Moved by Mr Swarbrick, and seconded by Mr G. Edgeoumbe, "That this meeting endorses the action of ohe outgoing' ve»try in re the Sundayschool, and authorises the new vestry to proceed on the same lino." Tho usual votes of thanks having been descended to the refiling wardens, the vestiy, the urjjauist, lay readers, &c, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the ch<ur.

BAr,AN r CE-S>nEET. Receipts— £ s. d. Pew rents .. .. 585 8 2 6 Subscriptions . • • 75 » ° Offertories, b. Peter's general 189 7 5 „ „ Special 17 6 9 Hamilton East . . i('« 7 Proceeds of Recital , o 15 o Grant from S.P.C.K. 50 o o Balance Dr. *° 9_° £\V " 5 Expenditure , s. d. Balance 31st December, 1879 59 o o Incumbent's stipend aco o o AiMbt clcnjvman . j6 o o Verscrs sal ly . 15 # o Ist Parsonage loan paid . 383 8 Io 5 Interest on loan . 11 18 o bpccial offertories . 10 18 o Repairs and additions to Chuich promises . 28 18 6 Sundries as per accounts 32 6 6 £432 '» 5 ANNUAL RErORT.

The annual meeting of the parishioners was held in the church oa Thursday evening. There was an attendance of about 40, including- a, number of ladies and the chair was occupied by the incumbent, Rev. William Older. The Eev. H. S. D ivis was also present. The proceedings were opened with prayer. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman then called upon the peoples' warden, Mr Laishley, to read the following balance-sheet and report : —