May 1, 1924
Annual Parishioners' Meeting

The Wairarapa Daily Times reported on the meeting,

"St Matthew's Parish Annual Meeting

About 45 persons were present at the annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew's, Masterton, last evening, the Rev. W Bullock, presiding.

Discussing financial matters members considered that more regular subscribers were needed. It was decided to recommend that the incoming vestry appoint a finance committee to deal with the matter.

The churchwardens reported a deficit on the parish account of £137 13s 10d, and on the curate fund £24 15s 3d, but over £1000 has been raised in addition to the money required for general expenses, missionary and social work, etc. 

For the Parish Hall Building funds £800 or over has been raised, and a new motor costing £250 has been bought and paid for. This is highly creditable, but we would like to see the remainder of the £1000 appeal for the Parish Hall subscribed as early as possible. 

The times call for some new system of financing our church work, and we urge the freewill offering scheme upon the attention of parishioners. 

Our task includes raising money for painting the vicarage, repairs to the west window and electric lighting. 

Kuripuni is congratulated on raising their annual assessment of £100 for the assistant curate fund. 

The yearly assessment for the Melanesian Mission of £100 was raised--due to the Missionary Fellowship and the day and Sunday schools.

The Parish Hall has been due to efforts of the Vicar, Miss Vallance, Mr Herbert, the Vestry, and the Ladies' Guild and Girls' Guild.--(Signed) E. Hale, S. B. Dodge.

The Vicar (the Rev. W. Bullock) reported:--If advance is indicated by attendance at church and by revived interest, both spiritual and financial, there are signs that we have made some progress. The acts of communion show a decided improvement--3552 against 2935 last year. Easter communicants were 373, an advance of 81. In November the Bishop confirmed 35 persons. Mr Gibson has already won a name for sound devotion and ability, and I am proud to have so valued a colleague. 

The Church of the Epiphany has shown results indicative of good work. Personally I fell the time has long been ripe for the creation of a new parish with the Church of the Epiphany as the centre. Such a development is an absolute necessity.

At Fernridge the altar-table has been refurbished by Mrs Andrew and a band of lady helpers. A new set of Communion vessels has been added to the Fernridge requirements."

St Matthew's Parish, Wairarapa Daily Times, 2 May 1924, page 3

Minutes of Annual Meeting of Parishioners held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, May 1st, 1924. (Page 52-53)

Present

The Vicar presiding; Churchwarden Hale; Vestrymen Hyde, Waddington, Ball Snr, Dr Hosking, Denbee and about 35 parishioners.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Dunderdale, Dodge and Herbert.

Report and Balance Sheet

Mr Hyde moved and Mr Denbee seconded that the report and balance sheet as circulated be accepted as read. Carried on the motion of Mr Hale, seconded by Mr Major.

The Balance Sheet was adopted after a general discussion had taken place on the Balance Sheet and many items satisfactorily explained.

The Vicar reviewed the many Parish Activities during the Year and personally thanked Sunday School Teachers, members of respective guilds and all others who had willingly helped forward the work of the Parish, especially thanking Miss Vallance and Mr Herbert for their work in connection with raising funds towards the cost of erecting the Parish Hall.

Election of officers

Mr E Hale was unanimously re-elected Vicar's Warden for the ensuing year.

Parishioners' Warden

Mr Denbee moved and Mr Waddington seconded that Dr Hosking be nominated People's Warden. There being no other nomination Dr Hosking was declared duly elected.

Vestrymen

The following were nominated for the position of Vestrymen: Messrs G Hyde, L B. Maunsell, W Penistone, J T Williams, McCartney, Ball senr, Best, Dunderdale, Waddington, Herbert and Denbee.

A ballot was then taken (Messrs C Pay and C Ball, scrutineers) which resulted as follows:

Ball, Best, Denbee, Dunderdale, Herbert, Hyde, Maunsell, McArtney, Penistone, Williams.

The above gentlemen were declared duly elected.

Auditors

Messrs Sellar and Boddington were thanked for their work as Hon. Auditors and on the motion of Mr Hale, seconded by Mr Barron? unanimously carried.

Church Finance

Mr Barron moved and Mr Waddington seconded with a view to placing the finances of the parish on a more satisfactory basis, That it be a recommendation to the Vestry that they should at once set up a Finance Committee for this purpose.

Mr and Mrs Mawley

It was resolved That Mr and Mrs Mawley be thanked for their Gift of a Stained Glass Window in memory of their son.

Church lighting

Mr McCartney moved and Mr Hyde seconded that the Church Lighting be changed over from gas to electricity. Carried.

Mr Major moved and Mr McCartney seconded That this meeting of parishioners hereby authorise the Vestry of St Matthew's to install the electric light in the Church and Vicarage at such cost and at such time as it thinks fit. Carried unanimously.

The meeting then closed.

Signed Wm. Bullock

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