S. MARK'S CHURCH, TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2578, 19 January 1889, Page 2

S. MARK'S CHURCH, TE AROHA.

The annual meeting was held at the church on Wednesday evening, the Rev. AllMarshall presiding. There was but a poor attendance of the congregation. The following report was read, which shows the church to be in a sound position financially :-

Annual Rupokt of the Churchwardens for the Year ISSB.— To the congregation of S. Mark's Church, Te Aroha : The financial statement now to be submitted, shows the total receipts for general church purposes for 1888 to have been £10l> 18s. 2d. and the expenditure, £171 5s sd. The revenue has been derived from three senrees. —l. General offertory, £12!) 7s. 2. Donations, £12 17s 6d ; and 3, Entertainments, £2513s Sd. Expenditure may be arranged under three heads also.—l. General sustentation, £130 5s sd. 2. Building fund, £21; and 3, organ fund, £20. Existing liabilities are: Debt on building, £80; debt on oreiin. £12 10s ; and debit balance, £9 18s 10d ;in all £102 8s 10d. Since the close of the year the sum of £10 received from Miss Ward of England lias, as a seennd donation been placed to the credit of the building account. The amount remaining is by no means large, and can, if the desire to (jo so exists, easily be wiped out by a slight general congregational effort. As compared with last year our financial position has much improved, the total indebtedness having been lessened by £29 12s 9d, notwithstanding that other expenses have been heavier. In August last the vestries of the other districts under the charge of the Incumbent were communicated with, with a view to rearrange on a more equitable basis the contributions to the stipend fund. It is a matter for regret that the general result of the correspondence was such as to show that there would be a falling off in the amount hitherto voted. Arrangement was however made that this church should increase its quota to £100, the amount originally required being £30. That a parsonage is required there is no doubt, but as it is a matter that would greatly increase the existing debt, it would be weil if the snbject were ventilated, and an expression of opinion obtained at this meeting. The time, too, is not far distant when the desirability of enlarging the church must be considered. The thanks of the congregation are due in no small degree to Mr Winstone, who, by taking alternate services with the Incumbent, has done much to promote the spiritual welfare of the adherents of the church. As heretofore the services of the choir have been willingly and efficiently rendered, and we desire to record our appreciation of Miss A. Marshall's gratuitous services as organist. The iaising of funds by collecting and entertainments, to which reference has been made, was carried out by Mrs A. Wright and Miss Xewbry, respectively. The success attending the effort? of the latter is itself sufficient proof that her aid is highly esteemed. Under :the suporintendance of Mr A. U. Smales, the .Sunday School continues to make fair progress, the number on the roll being 72, while that of the tenchersjs (i. A number of prizes lias been distributed to the scholars in attendance anal subscriptions towards defraying the expense necessitated in working the school are solicited. A box for their reception is fixed at tho foot of the church.—W. H. P. Maiisden, C. Aiinat, Churchwardens, January Kith, 1889.

On being put to the meeting, the report was unanimously adopted.—Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the superintendant and teachers of tho Sunday School during tho pant year, to Mr Winstone for his very zealous labours as lay reader, to Miss Amy Marshall, for her gratuitous services as organist, and to Mr Kdgecumbe for agreeing to insert the church service notices in The WaikatoTimks, freo of charge.—A lengthy discussion ensued us to the quarterly conference proposed to bo held a!. Te Aroha on the 3rd March, members generally deprecating the usual accompaniment of these meetings, viz., tho, tea mooting. It was ultimately agreed to discuss the matter further at a mooting where the ladies of the congregation would give their opinion on the matter.