ST. PETER'S CHURCH HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 2

ST. PETER'S CHURCH HAMILTON.

Annual Meeting of Parishioners.

The annual general meeting of the Parishioners of St. Peter's Church, Hamilton was held in the Volunteer Hall on Wednesday evening. There were present: The Incumbent, Rev. R. O'C. Biggs, in the chair, and Messrs Logie, Jolly (2), Blackwell, Stevens, Gwynne, Dyer, Salmon, A. O. Kully, Coates, Soppett. Sivarbrick, Seddon, J. S. Edgecumbe, J. Salmon, H. Cunncll, R. F. Sandes, and W. A. Graham. Mesdames, Biggs, Jolly. Searancke, and Cunnell. And Misses Biggs, Cooper, Searancke (2), and Alloway. The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed. R-KroiiTS. —Tho Chairman than read the report of the vestry for the past year as follows :—

" In presenting their annual report, the Vestry desire to congratulate the Parishioners on the pleasing fact, that tho liabilities have been reduced by the sum of £29. True, it is not a very great reduction, but it is a step towards their total extinction, which with returning prosperity they believe to be quite possible, and hope may, before long be an accomplished .fact. This gratifying reduction has been brought about not by an increase of receipts, which were £43 less than the previous year, but by a decrease of expenditure, all salaries having been reduced, the Incumbent's to £150, the choirmaster's to £0, and the verger's to £4, and nothing being undertaken which c.'uld possibly be avoided. Notwithstanding these reductions, the vestry would not have been able to report thtis favouably, had not two ladies, Mesdames Coates and Jolly, (at the request of the Vestry, giving effect to a resolution of a general meeting) kindly undertaken the arduous task of collecting subscriptions, which they performed so efficiently that to them is due the honour of relieving the district of so much of its burthen, and of obtaining promises of annual subscriptions to the amount of £50. Still the Vestry desires to impress upon the Parishioners the absolute necessity of increasing their weekly offerings, (which have considerably fallen off) as present receipts are barely sufficient for current expenditure and leave no marign for occasional nocessary outlays, as for instance repairs to Church and Parsonage, both of which are much in need of them.

" Church Services : The atttendance at public worships has hardly come up to that of the previous year, no doubt partly owing to decrease of population, but still it is much less than it ought to be. It is very much to be regretted that professing members of the church do not more fully realise their duty and their privilege in this respect. There has also been a falling off in the number of communicants, of baptisms, and of chnrchings. The services in the out districts have been held with tha same regularity as heretofore, and have as a rule been well attended, It is remarkable how much more residents in the country seem to value the church's services than those in the borough. Many of them travel long distances rather than miss the opportunity of joining, in public worship. The Incumbent desires to cordially thank the lay readers for their valuable assistance, without which these services could not be kept up.

" Parochial District: You are no doubt aware that the district has been considerably enlarged, and now comprises, besides the Borough of Hamilton, the parishes of Tuhikaramea, Whatawhata, Pukete, Horotiu, Komakorau, Hukanui, Kirikiriroa, and parts of Tamahero and To Rapa. This of course involves a, great increase of work, and consequent wear and tear, as also a greater number of services to bo provided for. These nnw average eight per Sunday throughout the district. .Fortunately tha staff of lay readers has b. ei strengthened by the advent of Mr Dyer to reside in Hamilton, and so the Incumbent hopes to be able to keep up all the services with the same regularity as hitherto. A committee was appointed at the last general meeting to consider the best means of consolidating this enlarged district, and promoting unity ainoug its various parts A report will be kid before you.

"Sunday School: The superintendent reports the gratifying intelligence that there has befiii an increase in the attendance dining the latter part of the year, and that though there arc no funds in hand there are no liii'uiliiiios. The school has, however, suffered a great loss iu, the removal by

death, of one who for many years, had been connected with it, first as scholar, then as teacher, which office she filled with zeal, earnestness and efficiency,' Miss Florence Kingsley, called away at the early age uf 22. Her loss is much felt, and her place will not be easily filled. "Choir: It is highly desirable, if not absolutely necessary that tho choir -should be placed on a more satisfactory footing. The question is, how is it to be done? One solution of the difficulty has suggested itself to the vestry, namely, to pay the choirmaster such a salary as will secure-his undivided attention, and give . him ?anj interest in the work.; They? therefore commend the matter to the earnest consideration of the Parishioners. •'Church cleaning: This has been done by members of the congregation gratuitnusly during the year, and it is for the, meeting to consider, whether it is desirable to continue this arrangement, if the ladies are willing to again undertake it, or to re-instate tho vorger. "Thanks: The thanks of the parishioners are due to the lay-readers, the! Sunday-school teachers, the choir, the church cleaners, the two ladies, who at so much trouble collected subscriptions, all those who assisted in decorating the church for the vaiions festivals, and to Miss Newell, Mr Connell, and Mr Keut for their gratuitous services as organist. Thanks are also due to, Mr. Stevens and Mr Bright, for their, kindness in- supplying one of the lay-readers with a linrse whenever it was needed. "Conclusion: We have much need to thank the Giver of all good_things for his many mercies in the past-,- and we humbly hope and pray ( for a continuance of, ;the same in the future, and for His blessing on our endeavours fco promote the glory of His great name, and the benefit of His Holy Church. R. O'C. Biggs, Chairman of vestry. In moving the adoption of the report, the Chairmansai»l that he would particularly refer to the choir, which, it is allowed by all, is not in a satisfactory position. The question is, how to reinstate it? The vestry suggest one way, and if the parishioners do not see their way to adopt this suggestion they must devi?e some other way. The choirmaster's salary was reduced, aud ho then gave up the organ, acting as choirmaster only, the playing being done voluntarily by' different persons. It had been suggested that in the event of the parishioners not seeing their way to pay a choirmaster and organist, to endeavour to get tho offices filled voluntaritv. Music is essential to the services, and it is, therefore, necessary that everything should be done to make it what it should he. —Mr Stevens seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried nem con.

Finance.—The treasurer, Mr Logie, pressnted the balance-sheet for the,past year as nnder:--ReceiptV £230 17s 3d, made up •>(: Offertories, £195 10s 4rl: •übscriptions, £27 12e; sundries, £7 15s Id. Expenditure: Overdraft, Ist of January, 1889, £50 Ss 3d ; stipond, £106 13s 4d ; choirmaster, £10 10s; verger, £!) 11s 8d; special offertories, £12 19s 2,1; insurance, £8 (is Gd; interest, £4 8i 9d : liu'htine, £4; rates, £2 14s; sundries, £4 IS- Bd, leavinsr tha overdraft at present £43 12s lid. There was on!y one asset, the Sund.tyschool site, valued at £50, while tho liabilities amounted to £170 l!)s lid, viz., loan from Stinding Committee, £100 ; interest on sune, 812 s*; bank ovordiaft, £43 12s Ud ; .sundry creditors, £23 12s.—Mr Logie. moved the adoption of tbn b dance-sheet;, which was seconded by Mr Salmon and carrii-d unanimously.

Committee Report.—Mr Swarbrick read the report of the Committee, appointed to draw up a s.-heme fur organising the newly parochial district, which contained the following suggestions : 1. The parochial district to be a defined area, as shown on the map. 2. The Incumbent to be in charge (if the entire parochial district, and to undertake no other work. 3. There to be one vestrv for the entire parochial district. 4. The Incumbent to be paid one fixed stipend for the whole parochial district. 5. The parochial district to be divided into nine sub-districts, viz., Hamilton, Ngaruawahia, Taupiri, Whatawhatii, Pukote, Tiiuwliare, Tuhilcaramen, Kirikiriroa, and Hnl-anni. 5. Each sub-district to have a committee <>t three or more —to raise and expend their own funds—to pay the vestry a fixed sum per month towards the stipend fund, and in general to inanngo their own internal affairs. The vestry to be the committee of S. Peter's 7. The stipend to be for the present, 5220 pel- annum, to which each sub-district shall contribute such proportion as may from time to tiino bo arranged between the vestry and the respective committees. 8. The Incumbent, with the assistance of the vestry, and iti agreement with the various committees to at ranee a plan of services for the entire parochial district, showing which services are to be taken by the Incumbent, and which by the lay renders. 9. The vestry to consist of nine members—three nominated by the sub-dis-tricts outside Hamilton— The remainder including the Churchwardens to be elected at the annual meeting.—On tho motion of Mr Swarbi-ick, seconded by MrSeddon, the scheme of parochial organisation, as proposed by the Committee, was approved. SaliAUV.— The minister's salary for the present year was fixed at £150, the out districts contributing £70, making the total of £220.

Officers.—The officers elected were given in our last, issue.

CliOlttllASTHß.—After considerable discussion the vestry was authorised t:> spend £20 to got an efficient choir.

CmutCH Cleaning.—lt was resolved to re-appoint the verier at a salary of £10 per annum.

Thanks.—A special vote of thanks to Miss Newell and the members of the choir, proposed by Mr Seddon, was carried by acclamation.

The meeting terminated wilh the Gratias,