At the annual meeting this evening the Churchwardens (Messr A. C. Major and George Hyde) will submit a report, extracts from which are as fellow:—
'“The general offertories show an increase of £24 as compared with last year. The subscriptions amounted to about £100 less. This deficiency was more than made up by the canvas made in September. We desire to acknowledge the generous assistance rendered to the vestry by the Ladies' Sewing Guild and the newly-formed Guild of St. Agnes. By these means, together with the special offertory on the last Sunday in the financial year, we have been enabled to reduce the deficit on the parish account from £78 to £18 13s 4d. Of the total expenditure of £865 3s 3d, the only items which can be regarded as extraordinary are £76 5s 3d for organ repair, and £27 1s 9d for alterations to the Parish Hall. This shows that at least £750 per annum is required to meet ordinary expenditure in the parish account.
“We have this year raised the full quota (£100) guaranteed by the parish to the Melanesian Mission, and have also paid over £9 17s 2d in reduction. of the previous year's indebtedness. There is still a balance of about £20 owing."
“We have to acknowledge the valuable assistance to the Vicar by the Rev. J. E. Blackburne during the first eight months. We trust that before long the services of a permanent assistant curate may be available.
“The Rev. J. Walker resigned as Vicar three months ago, and the Rev. William Bullock has been appointed to the vacancy. It would not be proper to close without reference to the Rev. J. Walker, who for the past 6½ years has ever been a faithful and diligent worker, endearing himself to many by his devotion and charitable nature. He is leaving the parish with the respect of us all. We wish Mrs and Mr Walker 'God speed,' and wish them many years of happiness. Mrs Walker has engaged herself in many of the church’s activities and her services were much appreciated. “St. Agnes Guild for girls started a year ago, and has proved itself a useful organisation. The object is to bind together girls who are communicants in a spiritual fellowship. The guild has forwarded £25 to St. Mary’s Home, in addition to making a gift of £l5 to the vestry, free of conditions.
“The Girls' Club at Kuripuni has continued to do useful work, and has now a sum of £77 6s to its credit, to be devoted to improvements at the Church of the Epiphany.
“Among the parishioners removed by death are Mr J. F. Maunsell, who left by his will £500 to the vestry of St. Matthew's parish, Mrs James Brown, Mr F. J. Minton and Mr R. S. Holditch, all of whom were familiar figures.
‘Thank are expressed to the lay readers, choir, Sunday school teachers and superintendents, district visitors and sewing guilds, C.E.M.S., and guilds for church cleaning, care of the Altar, bell ringing, etc., and to those who have interested themselves in the welfare of the boys.”
Wairarapa Age, 27 April 1922, page 6