CAMBRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ANNUAL MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1797, 12 January 1884, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ANNUAL MEETING.

Thk annual meeting in connection with thib church was held on Wednesday evening last. Present : The Rev W. Evans (in the chair), and Elders Eisher, Rhodes and Watt ; also, about 40 members and adherents. After a hymn had been sung and prayer offered by the rev. chairman, the minutes of the last annual meeting were lead and confirmed. The seshion clerk, Elder Fisher, then read the sessional report. This stated that throughout the year just closed they had been enabled to supply the usual services at Cambridge, Pukerimu, Hautapu, and Scotchman's Valley. They had supplied to Pukerimu an additional weekly service. Arrangements were being made to supply the district of Scotchman's VaJley with service every fortnight on Sabbath days as soon as the public school-house there should be completed. In order to accomplish this they must enlist more lay help. They were much indebted to Mr Brooks for assistance rendered hitherto, which theyhoped would be continued. On account of the difficulty of finding friends both able and willing to help in the good work, they had decided to avail themselves of such assistance as would be permitted by the rules of the Presbyterian Church by the use of a form of prayer when necessary, and a printed discourse. They also hoped shortly to be in a position to carry out a system of annual public meetings to advocate the claims of the schemes of the church from which they anticipated much good. There being a probability that the Hautapu school, in which service had hitherto been held, was likely to be removed, in case of it becoming necessary to build for themselves, Mr Paton had kindly offered a site for the purpose. The sacraments had been administered at the usual times at Cambridge, Hamilton, Pukerimu, and Hautapu, the ordinance of baptism being administered as far as Ngaruawahia and Huntly. Notwithstanding the wet weather for some time past the attendance at the various services had been satisfactory. During the year only one case had arisen requiring the discipline of the church and in this instance the offender had been removed from the roll. The church in some degree had suffered by the removal of friends from the district, and by death. By means of the latter they^ had been de- j prived of the late Mr Perkins who was a man of unblemished reputation and a truly Christian spirit. The number of members on the roll at the beginning of the year was 109 at Hamilton 50 ; making a , total of 159. Received, by examination 4, making 163. They had lost during the year by death, expelled, transferred by certificate 2, Jeffc the' district 7 without'certi-. ficate 9; totali.3; making the numlier at present 150. In the Sabbath- school there were 14 teachers, -number of scholars 76/ with an average attentance of 40. 13 of, the teachers were" members of the schurch/ One flcholar had been; admitted k tp ■, com: muniojiw'uf-'.v.f j ./ijMi\&.V M .'«.," -

sheet were read by the Secietary, Mr Brooks : — Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cambridge. Treasurer's statement for year ending 31st December, 1883.— T0 subscriptions : £128 13s ; plate collections : £117 Us 4d ; collection at choral service : £2 3s 6d ; Hamilton subscription towards stipend : £10 ; nett proceeds of entertainment held in May : £22 5s lOd ; nett proceeds of soiree held in December : £30 5a 7d ; proceeds of hymn books sold : 13s ; proceeds of horse- sold : £12. Total— £323 12s 3d. By balance from last year : £20 7s 9d ; stipend : £250 ; amount remitted to general treasurer : £2 0s 8d ; organint's salary : £10 ; church officer : £12 ; interest, rates, and insurance on manse and church : £18 14s 3d ; lighting and cleaning : £1 3a Id ; repairs : £3 4s 4d ; cost of music for choir : £1 16s 2d ; advertising, postage, &c. : £1 0s 9d ; balance : 5s 3d. Total— £323 12s 3d.— Audited and found correct. — (Sgd) J. Palmer Campbell, W. Simms, auditors. Mr W. Simms read the Psalmody Committee's report. In order to prevent the expense entailed in the purchase of music from beingacharge on the church funds, the choir had given a choral service at which £2 3s 6d had been collected. It was somewhat disheartening to the choir to find their efforts in this respect so little appreciated, very few of the members of their own congregation being present on the occasion. The committee had taken steps to collect money for the purchase of a good piped organ, and up to the present the sum of £91 had been promised and partly collected. An organ builder, Mr J. P. Hewlett, of Maungakaramea, had been written to for information on the matter. They had received a catalogue, and one which would cost about £130 would be suitable for the requirements of the church. They recommended that the same should be ordered through Mr Hewlett. They also recommended that the sale of the present instrument be sanctioned, the proceeds of which with the money promised and collected would be sufficient to defray the expense of the new organ. On the motion of Mr J. P. Campbell all reports as read were adopted. On the motion of Elder .Rhodes, vote, of thanks were accorded to the out-going committee and the Secretary Mr Brooks, for their services during the past year. In bringing forward the proposition, the mover in a few complimentary remarks testified to the manner m which the work of the church had been carried on attributing the credit to the gentlemen retiring from office. The following gentlemen were unanimously elected a committe for the ensuing year : — Cambridge Town, Messrs Hally, Sharp, Thomson, and Sargent ; Suburbs, Messrs Brown and MacMillan ; Pukerinm, Messrs A. Watson and W. Scott ; Haufcapu, Messts W. Cowley and W. Russell. It was agreed on the motion of Elder Fisher that the Rev. W. Evans arrange with members in Scotchmans Valley for the appointment of a committee for that district. Mr Ellis was elected a committee for Taotaoroa. On the motion of Elder Rhodes, Mr Brooks was re-elected Secretai y and Treasurer. A hearty vote of thanks was accoided the psalmody committee and choir for their valuable services during the year. Mr Brooks repoited re the necessity of the proposed new organ, and delivered a few lemarks regaidmg the purchase and quality of the same. It was then cigieed on the motion of Mr J. P. Campbell, "That this meeting authorise the psalmody committee to purchase an organ at a cost, including freight and erection, not exceeding £150. and that the committee be further empowered to sell the harmonium belonging to the church in aid of the funds now being raised for the purpose of purchasing the organ if they consider such a course necessary or desirable. " It was also agreed that the late psalmody committee be re-appointed with power to add to their number. Mr Brooks reported on the matter of the construction of the railway station affecting the position of the church. It was agreed on the motion of Mr Watt, "That a deputation, consisting of the trustees with Messrs Campbell, Thomson, and Brooks, be appointed to wait on the Minister ot Public Works on his arrival in the district re railway line." This concluded the business, and the meeting, prayer having been pronounced, terminated.