Annual Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1496, 4 February 1882, Page 3

Annual Meeting.

Tub annual meeting of the parishioners of the above church — adjourned from Tuesday last — was held in the Sundayschool room on Thursday evening, the 2nd inst. There were about 40 present, and the Rev. Mr Willis occupied the chair. The meeting opened by the prayer said at the opening of the Synod. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, Mr P. Hicks read the following report : — Report of the Vestry of S. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, for the year ending 31st Dec. 1881. " With feelings of deep gratitude and thankfulness to Almighty God for His manifest , blessing upon ' what may be termed the great effort of the past year, the Vestry proceed in the first place to speak "of the new jchurch. The commencement of the, building was authorised, and the ' reduced tender of Mr W. G. Connolly, for £1570,. accepted at the jjtmual meeting of last year. After the signing of the contract the work was commenced forthwith, and the foundation stone laid by Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of the Colony, who was accompanied to the district for that purpose by our kind and sympathising Bishop. From that time the work was proceeded with without intermission until finished at the end of August. And here the Vestry fell that it is due to the contractor to say in passing that for the way in which he executed the work,, and the courtesy he at all times showed to the Vestry, too much praise cannot be bestowed upon him. As the erection of the building drew towards completion, the Vestry saw their way to have decent furniture provided for the interior of the church, the grounds levelled, laid out, and planted m keeping with the building, the old church removed to a more convenient situation for a school, and the whole allotment on which the church and school-house stands sfceurely and substantially fenced. On the 31st August the Bishop, accompanied by the Archdeacon, and several of the other clergy of the diocese, paid a special visit to the district, and performed the imposing ceremony of consecration in the presence of a large and apparently deeply moved congregation. The church is seated for 223 people, but ia capable of accommodating double that number if necessaiy, so that while the long felt need of increased accomodation is abundantly supplied, there is at the same time a guarantee that no enlargement will be rendered necessary for some time to come. Some of the furniture of the old church was provided with a view to serving in a better building, such as the present one. Amongst the articles so provided were the lectern presented by Mrs Wilson, and the stone font, subscribed for by some friends of the late Mr Richaid Pavkei*. Now that the font has been set up in a more permanent place, steps are about being taken to erect a brass mural tablet connecting it with his memory. Other portions of the furniture of the old church are only being used in the new until better can be provided. In accordance with the original building scheme, the Vestry have allotted sittings to such as made application for them, giving to certain of the subscribers the benefit which was then promised that there should be no charge for their sittings until after August, ISB3. The entire cost of the church, including the original contract money, furniture, land, fencing and leveling, garden, architect's commission, &c, has been £2204 l(ss. 6d. Of this sum £1300 lus been collected since the last annual meeting ; and for the most part from the members of the church and congregation of S. Andrew's ; but other friends in Cambridge and elsewhere have also assisted. The handsome donation of £100 was contributed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, a Society which fosters the work of Church extension most admirably in every part of the world. The direct subscription list was supplemented by a gift auction, held early in the year, at the suggestion of some members of the church, the result of which was not, however, what might have been hoped for. The funds have also been supplemented by the pi'oceeds of several concerts and social meetings. The last efforts of the parish in this direction was the bazaar, opened on the 26th ult., with a few well-chosen words by Major Wilson (whose ready and willing help with his presence and with his means in all good works the Incumbent desires in this place to formally acknowledge.) Too much praise cannot be given to the lady stall-holders and some of their friends for the generous and zealous way in which they gave and worked up the handsome display of goods for the bazaar. The attendance was numerically s>niall, but the liberality and hearty co-operation and support of those who patronised the bazaar, resulted in putting together the handsome sum of £213, -which, less £27, expenses, has been placed to the credit of the Bazaar Fund. In addition to the sum realised there are goods left for disposal at some future date, value for about £75. All claims against the Building Fund have been duly met, and the only liability now existing on the church is a sum of £700, authorised to be borrowed, for a term of years, by the last annual meeting. This sum has been borrowed from the General Trusts Board of the Diocese on the bond of seven of the members of the congregation, and is convenanted to be repaid within seven years. The church and furniture are insured for a sum of £1500. In the month of July la&t, the vestry felt justified in coining to a resolution to send to England for a peal of six cast-steel bells and a chiming apparatus. The immediate cause of this action was a handsome offer made to the vestry by a parishioner, Mr E. Hewitt, to contribute £100 towards the cost. The order was accordingly given, and the vestry infer from the correspondence which their Auckland agents have had with the manufacturers that the bells are already on the way, and may be expected, perhaps, within six weeks or two months. The promise of Mr Hewitt was supplemented by several other promises towards a bell fund. The vestry now ask this meeting to pass a resolution approving of their action in this matter. To make arrangements for the augmentation and collection of this fund, and the payment of the cost of the bells on arrival in tho colony, will be one of the first duties of the new vestry. The parsonage and outbuildings were painted last spring. The usual services have been held regularly !.an# punctually. The attendance during rae year has greatly increased, but as might be expected chiefly during the last quarter. The average for 1880 was— First three quarters : morning, 129 ; evening, 73. Last quarter : morning, 129 ; evening, '75. The average for 1881 was — First three quarters : morning, 125 ; evening, 84. Last quarter: morning, 134 j ..evening, 115. The attendance at evening service in the new .church thus shows an increase of about 55 per cent. The attendance at Holy Communion - has but slightly increased, ,The number of baptisms has been 25, of marriages 2, and of burials 10.' The ( jSidjday School has not made the progress' that should be desired The Incumbent hole's,' however, that being relieved of much of the special work of tfie pasfc ; yeaV r he< will' havV 'the tnore time during the preach

to devote to this most important work. But he can only hope to carry out the work through being able to awake the interest in it of greater numbers of the lay members of the church. The fact of having in the old church a building now specially set apart for such purposes as this should be a great assistance towards working the school well. A branch of the school has been opened at Cambridge West, and Mr Hyatt has taken the work up warmly and systematically. The children attending on both sides of the river, and the children of a new school also lately opened at Ohaupo under Mr Kusabs, with their teachers and friends, met together on January 2nd, at Mi Fanthams to join in celebrating the annual fete and parish picnic. The work of the choir was never so arduous as during the past year, and the admirable way in which the musical portion of the consecration and other opening services were rendered, will testify to the progress made, due mainly to the unwearied and unceasing pains taken at the numerous practices by the talented organist, Mr J. A. Beale. The vestry have not been indifferent to the great advantages which have accrued to the church through possessing the services of Mr Beale ; but they deeply regret to say that the church will now have to experience what will be felt in his loss, as he is about to leave the district, and has consequently been obliged to send in his resignation. Comparing the balance-sheet witli that of the previous year, it will be seen that the general offertories have greatly increased, notwithstanding the large amount contributed under the head of special offertories. There is a considerable falling off in the amount of annual subscriptions, but this may be partly attributed to the heavy calls made in other ways, and partly to the fact that sotrie of the subscriptions are still unoollected. To the offertries and annual subscriptions the church must look for the future to meet most of the regular demands upon her, and the vestry would urge those who take exception to some of the other modes used for raising money for church purposes to show their sincerity by assuming their proper responsibility in this matter, and giving liberally themselves in these more legitimate ways, and so encouraging others to do likewise. The fortnightly &ervices at Ohaupo have been held regularly with the assistance of the lay-reader, Mr E. H. Gubbins. The office of honorary organist and precentor is regularly and efficiently filled by Miss Prince, assisted occasionally by Miss Fleming. A Sunday-school in connection with the church has lately been commenced by Mr Kusabs, for many years the untiring and assiduous clergyman's warden in this part of the district. Mrs Kusabs is as usual the able co-adjutor of her husband in this a.s in all other work. At Hautapu Miss Maclaurin continues to give her services freely and cheerfully as organist at the school-room services. Other services, though at present only occasional, have been held doring tJie year at Matamata, Waitoa, and Taotaoroa. The increasing importance of the town and the country districts already named, together with the rising settlement of Oxford and the Pateterc country, seems to call for further ministerial aid at no very distant day. In the meantime, however, the best steps will be taken towards this end by a sustained effort on the part of the pari&hioners to meet their increased responsibilities. The pai ishioners owe a deep debt of gratitude to Mr Charles Clntty for the efficient and acceptable manner in which he has discharged the duties of lay-reader during the year, and their thanks are due to him for this work. Thanks are atao due to the Sunday School teachers, to the members of the choir, to the ladies who worked for the bazaar, and to the Secretary of the Vestry, Mr F. J. Sanders, who accepted this office, in addition to his long- continued labors iv the Sundayschool, and has not only shown a real interest in it, but has also done the work well. The vestry conclude by again acknowledging their thankfulness to God, and they humbly pray that lie may be graciously pleased to accept such of the work of the year as has been in accordance with His will, and pardon what has been neglected and done amiss ; and that as He has encouraged and supported the parishioners in building the outward fabiic to so goodly proportions, so He will encourage and support them in building up one another to the increase of holiiie&s and good works, and in the steadfast and abiding faitli of His Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Signed on behalf of the vestry, "Win. N. deL. Wtllis, Incumbent, Thomas Wkivls, ft Fjunois Hicks, churchwardens. Mr T. Wells read the following :—: — B\laxoe Shkkt. — To cash in hand, £4 6s ; subscriptions to Church Fund, £80 19s 6d ; seat rents, £6 10.s ; oftertories—general, £149 1 9s 7d ; now church building fund, £79 Os Id • Melanc&ian mission, £42s Id ; home mission, £6 18s lOd ; pension fund, £4 14s 3d ; choir, £3 ; Sunday school, £4 13s 9d ; Hautapu, £2 12 9d ; advance, N.0.8.F., £35 14s ; en or omitted, 2s ; Total, £382 12s lOd. By loan, N.C.F.8., £15 2s 7d ; clergyman's stipend, 1881, £199 3s 4d ; organist, £15 ; verger, £11 ; parish contribution — Melanesian mission, £4 2s Id ; home mission £10 19s Id ; pension fund, £7 6s (id ; N.C F.B. .£79 0s Id ; choir £3 ; insurance commission, and sundries, £32 5s Id ; cash in hand, £o 14s Id ; Total, £382 12s lOd. Nkw Cnva.au BuiLinxn Funmj. — To cash inhand, £156 14s 9d ; loan, vestry, £15 2s 7d ; loan general fund, £700; subscription, donation, &c, £919 11s lOd ; gift auction, £.")() 9s 2d ; Society Promoting Chiistian Knowledge, £ 100; bazaar, £1 1811s5d;total £\>o66 9s 9d. By land, Unionßank, £80 ; contract, £1670 7s 4d ; tradesmen's* j accounts, furniture, £c, £114 12s sd ; labor, £35 13s; interest, £18 13s 4d ; printing, insurance, and sundries, £48 12s 4d ; cash in hand, £62 los Id ; overdraft, general fund, £34 16s 3d ; apparent error, £1 ; total £2066 9s 9d. Mr Wells then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet as read, which was seconded by Mr Williams and carried unanimously. — On the motion of Mr Bright, seconded by Mr Hewitt, it was resolved that the best thanks of the parishioners be given to Mr Wells, as special secretary of the building fund, for his indefatigable efforts during the past year towards the erection of the new church, and for his sendees as warden. — On the motion of Mr Beale, seconded by Mr Eeynolda, it was resolved that the thanks of this meeting be given to the lay reader, Mr C. Clntty, and to the Sunday-school teachers, coupled with the name of Mr Wells, the superintendent. —On the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Curne, it was resolved that the thanks of the meeting be given to the ladies and others who worked for the bazaar. — On the motion of Mr Heaney, seconded by Mr F. Hicks, it was resolved that the thanks of the meeting be given to the organist, Mr Beale/ and the choir. — On the motion of MrHosking, seconded by Mr Hyatt, it was resolv&t that the thanks of "the meeting be given to the churchwardens and vestry} coupled with the name of the secretary, Mr F. J. Sanders.— On the motion of v Mr <% W. Hicks, seconded by.Mrßoberjteon, it was resolved that this' meetiiig^app'rove of the action of the vestry in'ordering a peal o.f bells from^England.~Oli!thiatiibtion^of Mr Heaney,^ .second ,jby^^i^eUs, it was resolved that the contribution to the clergymim > »,s.tipendj C for,,tiie t/ ctjp*enJb,yfa,r; be £2lo.~The Chairman Qoou&ated M^

P. Hicks as clergyman's warden. — Mr Wells was unanimously elected people's warden. — The number of the vestry was fixed at ten. The following were elected : — Major Wilson, Messrs. F. J. Sanders, C. Chitty, E. Allen, junr., E. Hewitt, G. O'Halloran, G. F. Hosking, A. Heaney, Jas. Young, and H. W., Moore. Messrs. Bright and Scott were elected auditors. — The following resolution was proposed by Mr Hewitt — " That in the opinion of this meeting it would be desirable to discontinue the singing of the responses at evening service." This was seconded by Mr T. W. Hicks. The following amendment was proposed by Mr Wells : — "That in the opinion of this meeting it would be undesirable to make any change in the matter of singing the responses." This was seconded by Mr Williams. The voting was as follows : — For the amendment, 10; against it, 18. For the original motion, IS ; against it, 11. The amendment was consequently lost. — The meeting closed in the usual way.

The new pure cash system now being initiated by 6. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, milliner}', and clothing at such prices for cash us gives tho buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the 3 ear's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and C ran well will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and arc determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether they gamor lose the first year Country buyers on remitting cash with ordei will be supplied with goods at co-operatve prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding and gencrai house furniture, the largest portion of which Is turned out at our own factory, willbe marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five pet cent, will be allowed to those who pay ;it the time of purchase. G. and C. having realised the entire value of their stock duiing their late cash sale, the present stock is new and cheaply iiouoiir. — An inspection invited. — Garlick a;\d Ckvnwkli, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queen street, Auckland.