HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2254, 28 July 1908, Page 2

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

PARISHIONERS’ ANNUAL MEETING.

There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in tlie Church Schoolroom last night, the Vicar (Rev. L. Dawson Thomas) presiding. The minutes of the last annual meeting having been read and confirmed, the Vicar read his pastoral letter, dealing with the progress made during the past year.— 11l the letter lie briefly referred to the financial position of the Church, which showed that although the income had increased, the expenditure had also done so. The result of this was that tliero was a small deficit.

The annual report was then read as follows:—In submitting tho annual report and balance-sheet-, which is the duty of tho officers of the Church to lay before you, thev are satisfied that although there is a slight falling off in 6ome of the receipts for the past year as compared with that of the previous one, there is .no cause to be discouraged. It will be noticed that the balance-sheet shows a debit of £B2 5s 6d. This balance, however, should be increased by two items, Maugapapa cleaning account £4 7s Gd "and Kaiti cleaning account £6 7s 6d, put down as assets, as there - are no funds available to settle these amounts, and must in tlie meantime be borne by the general account. The true debit balance, therefore, should read £93 0s 6d. This can be accounted for in this way; that the vestry, taking into cpnsideration tlie apparently satisfactory state of the finance, as shown b-- the balance-sheet on 30th June, 1907, and wishing to assist the Church Extension Fund, passed a resolution to transfer £l3O of the surplus to that fund. That surplus, however, was only ail anticipated one anil dependent greatlv on the collection of the outstanding pew rents, representing the substantial sum of £136. It is to be regretted that- a large proportion of this did not come in, and the present balance-sheet discloses that £l3l has not- been. paid. Under these circumstances tlio outgoing vestry would recommend that it bo a direction from this meeting to the incoming officers to rescind the above resolution, so that the parishJinance may be placed in a fair position, and tlio above debit balance of £93 0s 6d converted into a credit of £3O 19s 6d. While on this subject the vestry would impress upon those who hold sittings the necessity of paying the several amounts promptly, and not allow them to be outstanding at the end of the financial year. The state of 'the financos will never be satisfactory until this is done. The consideration of the important matter of Church extension has now passed into its third year, and it will be for this meeting, after examining the present position of the fund, to direct the incoming vestry as to what action is to be taken during their tenure of office. The fund available now for building purposes is—Deposit Savings Bank £550, accumulated interest to 30th June, 1908, about £l3 8s 9d; £563 8s 9d ; cash in bank after deducting amounts due to lvaiti and Mangapapa building fund £291 8s 9d; £854 17s 6d; to which add transfer from geuoral account if motion not rescinded. £130; £984 17s 6d. Montion was also made in the report that the Church property and grounds were ill a fair state of repair. Appreciation was expressed of the serveos rendered by Mr. Sidebottoin and his efficient- choir, and Mr. W. H. Rowell, lay reader. It was also stated in the report- that the thanks of the vestry were due to Archdeacon H. Williams, Revs. Chaterton, .Hamilton, Cockerill, and Dr. Gerard Smith for kind assistance on many occasions.

Captain Ferris moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,which was seconded by Mr. E. H. Mann. Air. C. A. DeLautour moved that the sum of £l3O bo re-transferred to the general account. In doing so, he outlined the circumstances under which the item had originally been transferred. Ho trusted that none of the money available for buildincr purposes would be wasted, and lie agreed with the recommendation of the vestry. Ho also moved that tho small balance standing to the credit of the renovation fund be credited to building fund. Captain. Ferris seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. Air. Geo. H. Lysuar, superintendent, submitted the annual Sunday School report and’ balance-sheet, which showed that the total roll number was now 321, with an average attendance of 202. It was also shown that there was a credit balance of £ 76s 2d, which was considered to be eminently satisfactory . Tho report and balance-sheet wore adopted. The, election, of office-bearers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: Vicar’s Churchwarden, Capt. Ferris; People’s Churchwarden, Col. Winter; Vestry, Messrs Vincent Barker, J. E. Foster, C. A. DeLautour, Dr. AVilli-ams. E. II .Alann, T. Alston Coleman, J. C. Kissling, AV. E. Akroyd, J. t AV. Cook, Dr. Gerard Smith; auditor, Air. E. G. Alattliews. Air. C. A. DeLautour thought- the parish contained a great many members who were willing to help'others, if .they could only see a way to do so th tough the Church as a corporate body. Individual charity abounded in the district, but the Church was inclined to do good by proxy through the medium of Friendly Sowties.

Ho thought that tho whole matter of Chinch organisation was Olio on ■which they could well seek guidance, and ho read tho following remit, which ho would propose bo forwarded to the Synod of tlie Diocese of Waiapit: “That tlie parishioners of Holy Trinity Church, Gisborne, respectfully present to the Diocesan Synod of Waiapu that it is desirable that tlio (Synod should consider, and if possible define, a form of effective voluntary parochial organisation. 1. To facilitate and encourage combined action by the laity of every parish: (a) In aid of all adherents of the Anglican Church who from time to-time are in any trouble or distress; (b) io p omdte church life among the young, (c) To support the vicars of the Diocese in the inauguration and conduct of any-home mission work they may see right to undertake in their respective parishes ; (d) Through a * Diocesan centre or otherwise to open up and maintain communications with all Church of England persons coming into or leaving any parish; (e) Generally to sustain and extend tlio <x>i poratc life of tlio Oliurclijand tilia-t the Synod will also take steps to provide ‘ways and means for Church loans at moderate interest ior the construction of churches, church rooms, and schools where no security other than the Church lands and premises are available.’ Dr. Williams seconded the motion, and considered that it was a step in the right direction. He thought that a good deal more could he done than was being done at tlie present. The last clause especially met with his hearty support, and he had much pleasure in seconding Mr. DeLautour’s motion. The Vicar said that no doubt cooperation was wanted, as was also an extension of their influence. The motion, on being put to tho meeting, was carried unanimously. Captain ..Ferris referred to the matter of Church extension. The vestry s bands were tied, but they were anxions to do nothing tliat would run against the wishes of any of tlie parishioners. It was going,on now for three years since the idea was mooted, and lie thought something tangible should be done. . ■ ,,■ Colonel Winter said that the position was that .the vestry should do nothing ,in, the matter until they had the sum of £BOO in hand. This they now had. . 11l reply to a question from Mr. E. D. Smith, the Vicar said that the money could, he raised in either of two wavs, by raising a loan or by issuing debentures, Mr. C. A. DeLautour said it was a matter of grave difficulty. The parish -had a splendid record, and as long as they could put aside £4OO per year for Church construction they need have no fear. Tlie people should be their own creditors and lend the money to build the church at from 4 to 41 per cent. The minds of tlie vestrv were not quite made'up over the question of ways and means. The question of site was another difficulty. No doubt the best site was that on which the parsonage now stood. The whole thing was a big question, and. he would advise that the vestry a.nd the vicar appoint a Church Building Committee, outside the vestry, to work in conjunction with them, in the ■ all-important matter of. church extension and to have a church worthy of the town of Gisborne. Mr. J. West seconded the motion. Dr. Williams was in favor of flie motion, and said that he was also an favor of the parishioners lending the money, but there was the matter of interest on the debentures to be considered. He thought that they should all try to increase their general revenue to be able to bear interest on the loan. In putting the motion, the Vicar considered that it solved the difficulty for the present. He hoped to soon see the new building being commenced., Mr. W. E. Akrovd proposed a voto ", of thanks to the people's churchwarden (Lieut.-Colonel Winter). Mr. Maun seconded the motion, which was carried amidst applause. Lieut.-Colonel Winter ' briefly replied, thanking those present for their demonstration of satisfaction with his work.