MEMORABLE YEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21204, 29 August 1940, Page 2

MEMORABLE YEAR

r ST. ANDREW S CHURCH

LIABILITIES REMOVED PROGRESS DURING YEAR The Rev. H. G. Gilbert presided over the annual meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Hamilton last night. A cablegram conveying greetings was received from Gunner B. Primrose, who is serving with the antitank corps in England. Mr Gilbert expressed his pleasure at the progress made during the year and thanked all concerned. The session report, submitted by Mr C. L. Mac Diarmid, clerk, stated that the average attendance at the quarterly communions had been 324. The membership roll contained 504 names. 60 being added during the year, 32 by transfer and 23 by confession. Five adults and 41 infants had been baptised. The session stressed the desirability of regular church attendance, and, referring to the day of prayer on May 26, added: “It is to be wished that such recognition of spiritual needs might animate our people on every Sunday in the year.*’ Minister’s Devotion

Appreciation was expressed of the continued devotion of the Minister, the Rev. H. G. Gilbert, who had shown great courage in carrying out his duties under most difficult circumstances in recent months and the hope was voiced that Mrs Gilbert would speedily be restored to robust health. To all who had suffered bereavement the session extended its deepest sympathy. The management committee reported memorable year in our congregational history,” as for the j first time smee the congregation was j formed, in the pioneering days, the office-bearers were privileged to report “no liabilities.” The receipt? from all sources had amounted to £1529 16s 9d and the expenditure to £1369 10s 9d. The aggregate credit to all congregational funds was £446 16s 2d. The mission allocation, £260, had been considerably exceeded, £375 6d 9d being received. The allocation for the current year was £260. Centennial Fund The general fund closed with a credit balance of £165 7s 4d, of which £IOO had been transferred to the Sunday School building fund. For the Centennial thanksgiving fund, which was to close this year, £4115 13s 3d had been promised, nearly £3OOO of which had already been paid, the balance being redeemable at the end of October. After paying off the balance of the debt on JBie church property £670 had been transferred to the general treasurer for division among the funds in the interests of which the appeal was launched. The committee acknowledged the valuable service rendered by Messrs D. A. Sellar (Centennial fund), F. Clive Henry (treasurer), C. M. Muir and N. Fitzpatrick (envelope officials), E. L. Jones (auditor) and G. Clevely (church prop- i erty convener). The assets were valued at £BB6B 6s 2d, with no liabilities. Church Organisations The superintendent of the Sunday School, Mr R. T. Fear, reported a marked increase in the attendance since the school had been held in the morning, and this had been noticeable also in the morning service in the church, which the majority of the children attended with their teachers. The need of more men teachers was stressed. The continued activity was reported in respect of the Women’s Missionary Union Ladies’ Guild and Bible classes. The Rev. J. T. Burrows reported on the work at Melville, where services have been regularly held. Regret was expressed at the resignation through ill-health of the organist, Mr Stephenson Clay, but it was stated that Mrs Morrison and Miss Jenkins were filling the breach. The paths around the church had been asphalted and further improvements to the property were contemplated for the near future. Miss Hamilton reported a Sunday School roll of 40 pupils and four teachers. All the reports were adopted. Election of Managers

Messrs A. W. Green. F. Clive Henry, E. L. Jones, B. Primrose, E. T. Robinson (all re-elected) and R. T. Fear were appointed to the Board of Management. Mr E. L. Jones was appointed auditor. Appreciation of the work of the Rev. J. T. Burrows at Melville was expressed. An appeal for closer cooperation between the homes and the young people’s organisation was made, it being stated that the future of the Church depended on the young people.