S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2893, 29 January 1891, Page 2

S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

The following is the report and balancesheet of the vestry of the above Church for the year ended December 31st, 1890, and which will be presented at the annual meeting of the parishioners to-morrow even'"r'epoht. — " Thankfulness for many blessings and privileges continues to be called for from us as a Church. Not only in Cambridge but in all uarts of the district our clergyman sees much to encourage him. Wo have had disappointments (what person or institution has not),—we at tunes feel depressed in not achieving our aims, but we must not let failure in this or that object press heavily upon ::». Our chief question should be. have we individually and collectively tried to do all we can to love our God and further the work of saving souls .or Him? If weha\emade genuine and persistent efforts in this direction we need never fear but that we shall ultimately succeed. . . , u " Church Services : Services were held regularly as heretofore with the help of lay readers at Cambridge, Tainahere, Onanpo and Taotaoroa. Two more of our valuable staff of laymen have come to the clergyman's help in this work ; and Mr A. i. i<. Wheeler at Tainahere, and Mr b. Seddon at Combridge, have filled the othce of lay reader with much satisfaction to the congregations. The close of the year saw the return again to Cambridge of the Kev. Dr Hooper, whose services were so much appreciated when last here. Dr Hooper has come on a few months sojourn previous to his departure for India, and has U 'O»t kindly undertaken to conduct the evening services at SUAndrew a during his btay. All will be glad to hear wo aro again to have his able assistance. .... "Tamahere: This part of tho district now calls for a larger share of the clergyman's time and attention, both in the matter of services and also that of visitation. S. Stephen's Church is now in the enviable position of being entirely free from debt. The services of the church were held every Sunday this year for the first time. They were mostly lay services and were well attended. , " Ohaupo : The contract for the enlargement of the church in this portion of the district has b«eu let, and it is expected that the work will soon be completed. Iho church will then ba double its original size. The congregation have wisely resolved there shaH be no debt incurred on behalf of the

enlargement. '■ Sur.day-school : The Sunday-schools throughout the district continue to ilo Rood work, notwithstanding the loss of valuable individual services. The departure of Dr. H. Moon for England left a great gap at St. Andrews. Added to his many labours undertaken as a vestryman, he had thoroughly well filled tho office of Superintendant of the Sunday-school, and all regretted his leaving. On his departure, however, Mr R. C. Dyer most promptly filled the vacant place, and has brought the school well through to the end of the year. Thq important office of superintendent is now again vacant, and the clergyman is anxiously loeking and. anking fur another volunteer to fill the gap, Mr Armishaw s departure was also a great loss to the school. Sunday-school work never had a

more reliable, regular and punctual helper here or elsewhere than it had in Cambridge in Mr Arir.ishaw. At Cimbrulgo West Mrs W. (). Garland and Mrs Chitty asked to be rtliovod, but Mr S. has thrown himself heartily into the work and thfi school is being well taußht. At Tamahere tho school continues to be earnestly cared for by Miss Harwell. " Choir: The choir at .St. Andrew s is at times excellent, both in point of attendance mid nf efficiency. This fact show* what a fall and powerful choir the chinch might ■ilwiys have if all the members showed the <ame self-devotion that some do. Mr W. O. Gnrhiud continues to conduct ■■ind to lead, ai.d is unsparing of himself. Some of the ladifs have again recently been sharing the duties of organist, and thrs Church is indebted to them for what they have done. The acceptance, however, of tho entire duties of the post by odb person is much to be desired in the intere.it? of good music, and the comfort nf all concerned. At Ohaupo, Mr Charles E. Kusabs continues his most regular and punctual services as organist, and the Church is much indebted to him. At Tamahere. Mr Edwards continues to conduct, and tho ladies bave bean sharing the duties of organist." "Guild of Ringers : Coming now to spcalc only of Cambridge proper, the conductor of the guild of ringers, Mr Adams, is an enthusiast in his work, and ready to take his place at all times. Ho needs, however, more and more constant help from others to enable him to carry out bis work natis-

factorily. _. "Chinch Garden and Grounds: lno grounds were, during the year, entirely kept by volunteer labour. Quite a number of helpers have assisted from time to time, as they have been asked. Latterly the whole work has been thoroughly and heartily done by one willing worker, Mr George Hawkins, sinzlfi-handed, and the grounds never before looked so well. "Parish Evenings: During the winter a series of five parish evenings was instituted, and the result was five overflowing and most pleasant re-unions of our people in the parish school-room. Tho ladies did nearly the whole of the work, providing the refreshments and, for the most part, the music. Tho object mainly .sought was to get our people to entertain each other, and to know each other better, and to cultivate a closer social feeling, and the verdict of all who attended was that the object was attained. " Statistics: The average attendances at

theordinaty morning and evening services were the same virtually as in 18hO. Ihe Holy Communion was celebrated regularly every fortnight, and on the greater festivals." The baptisims were 23, the marriages 4, and the burials 3. "Finance : On the 31st December, in tha years 188S, 1889 and 1890, the open liabilities were, respectively, £144, £121 and £89. To this reduction of our indebtedness, in these times, is evidence of some vitality amongst our people, and a strong determination on the part of the vestrv to keep the expenditure within the income. The seat rents for the year were a little moro than for 1889, but the offertories were a little less. In the subscriptions, however, the falling off is larger, being £35 for ISS9, and £15 additional for 1890 or £50 in the two years. If our people would each and everyone contribute a small sum quarterly this would not be the ease. " Estimate" for 18111. Expenditure : Minister, £17"); verger, £12; parish o»n----tribtions, £12; insurance, £18 ; interest, £20; lighting, £7; sundries, £8; total ±1253. Add to this liabilities on 31st December, £S!), and the total will be £341. Receipts : subscriptions, £10 ; seat rents, £50, rent £5; offertories, £125, total £221). There is then wanted from other sorvices £115, to equal the requirements of expenditure £341. "Liabilities: The balance of the Church building loan stands as last year at £275, lit six per cent, interest. The open debts as above at £S9, making a total of £•'">*• Property ind Insurance : Ihe Church and school-room arts in a good state of repair. The parsonage was directed to be re-roofed and enlarged at a general meeting of parishioners held on October 13th to consider the matter. The resolutions then passed are in ptocess of being piven effect to with encouraging results. The plans have been prepared gratuitously by Mr A. P. Wilson, architect, of Auckland, and the estimated cost of the work is £140. An active canvas for subscriptions was undertaken in the Cambridge district by a lady, from which £55 may be expected. Tamahere and Ohaupo have promised to try to contribute respectively £20 ?nd £10. About £50 may be expected from the late [sale of work and the concert to be held on the 29th. The timber has been on the grounc eeasoning for some time and it is intended to proceed with the work early next month, by which time the money should be all in " Thanks : The thanks of the parishioners are due to the lay-readers and Sundayschool teachers, the honorary choirmaster, Mr W. O. Garland, the honorary organists and members of the choir, the ringers, and the caretakers of the Church grounds, to the general manager of the fete, Mr Wells, and his hearty helpers, and to all who otherwise helped in raising the funds for the parsonage." "Conclusion: The year has gone, and we now review its work under a deep sense of our short comings, and our dependence on the mercy and aid of our Heavenly leather, whom we now humbly and heartily thank for His many mercies and blessings. We pray also that in the year we have now entered on, Ho will further us with His continual help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. William jS t . jje L. Willis, Chairman of Vestry." Bal-vxck Shket fob the Yeau Enmjixo 31»t Deckmbkr, 1890.—Dk: To cash in hand 2s; subscriptions, March quarter, £5 15s; June, £7 7s 3d; September, £3 17s 9d; December, £5 10s-£22 10s; Seat rents, March, £13; June, £13 ss; September, £21 15s ; December, £8 15s—£5U 15s; Offertories general, March, £27 12 2d; •Tune £28 Is 3d; September, £28 Ls 3d ; December, £28 lGs-£ll2 10s Sd ; special, £12 3s lid ; rent, £',) 11s 10d ; garden f<sto April, £4G 3s; Christmas iite, £81 10s ; palish evenings, £!) 15s 6d; Marriage fees

donated, £2 10s; donation, £s—£7 10s. Total, £3. r )8 Us lid. Clt: By overdraft Bank of New Zealand, Ist January 1890, £40 4s 3d; salaries, Rev. Willis, .£lO5 : verger, £11 lGs-£20l! 10s; parish contributions, home mission, £2 ys Id ; pension fund, £4 10s; synod expenses, £1 ; Bible Socioty, 53—£8 0s Id ; insurance, £18 Is ; interest, £20 3s; lighting, £3 lfis ; garden fete, April, £9 13s 4d ; Christinas f'iste, £10 7s lid; refund treasurer, 31st December, 1890, £3 ; sundries, £10 0s lid ; cash in bank, £10 Is Id ; cash in hand, £il 8s 9d-£l9 9s 10d. Total, £3i>B Hβ lid.