April 24, 1929, Annual Parishioners' Meeting
BISHOP SPROTT CONSECRATES ADDITIONS.
ST. GEORGE'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. [7 April 1929]
At a special service held in St. Matthew's Church last evening, the additions to the edifice lately completed, including the war memorial chapel which has been named St. George's Chapel, were consecrated by His Lordship the Bishop of Wellington, the Right Reverend Dr. T. H. Sprott. The church was well filled and the service, which was very beautiful, opened with a procession. The Choir gave an admirable rendering of the anthem "Seek Ye The Lord," Mr H. F. Green taking the solo part. The sermon was preached by the Bishop, and the Rev. E. Whitby James read the Lessons.
After the Third Collect, the Bishops, attended by the churchwardens, Dr. Archer Hosking and Mr. L. B. Maunsell, and the clergy, the Rev. W. Bullock (Vicar) and the Rev. E. Whitby James [Vicar of Tinui], proceeded to the chapel, which he consecrated and dedicated to George as a memorial to the soldiers. St. who fell in the Great War. The additions to the chancel, reredos and altar were in turn duly consecrated.
In his sermon, the Bishop congratulated the parishioners on the advance made and prophesied that in time, with their help, St. Matthew's Church would be one of the most beautiful, not only in the diocese, but in the country.
Wairarapa Age, 8 April 1929, Page 5
Note: Unfortunately the addition of St George's Chapel to the 1913 St Matthew's Church meant that the building was structurally unsafe in an earthquake. At 11.16pm on 24 June 1942, in the midst of the Second World War, a sharp earthquake (magnitude 7.2)--centered 12 kilometres under Masterton--caused severe damage to the church, shops and town buildings and demolished just about every chimney in the town.
The church was severely damaged. During the earthquake the main body of the church and St George's Chapel addition parted company. Engineers later agreed that the addition of St George's Chapel had made the main church and chapel structurally unsound as they were not properly tied together. Within days of the earthquake army sappers moved in, removed all the furniture and fittings that could safely be removed--including the Hobday organ and its pipes--and then used charges to demolish it.
An account by the Vicar of St Matthews, Eric Rich, describes the earthquake and its aftermath.
THANKS TO WORKERS.
The viear (Rev. W. Bullock), in his annual report, states:--We should first express our thanks to that most important body of workers--the Sunday school teachers at St. Matthew's, Mr McLevie and Mr Hyde, and their band of helpers, with an especial mention of Mr Clarke, who has so faithfully sponsored the children who attend the Sunday morning service; Miss Henderson, who has ably carried on the kindergarten school, and who unfortunately has lost one of her best helpers this year, viz., Miss Leonard, who has returned to her home in Christchurch. At Kuripuni, to Mrs Chennells, with the help of Mr Law, who has just recently left for England, and the others who have carried on. Mr Minton has very kindly offered his services in place of Mr Law. Needless to say, the offer has been gratefully accepted. Miss Creswell has carried on bravely at Lansdowne, Miss Perry at Upper Plain, Miss Lazarus and her helpers at the West Sunday School, held at St. Matthew's Day School, and Miss Lett at Tauerú.
"Next I would' mention the work of the choirmistress, Mrs Rosewarne, and the organist, Mrs Hunn. All will agree that the choir has considerably improved, the rendering of Maunder's 'Olivet to Calvary' on Palm Sunday evening being a most creditable performance.
"I would wish also to thank the magazine secretary, Miss Rose Robinson; the secretary of the Ladies' Guild, who has done yeoman service; the secretary of the Girls' Club; the collectors for the Missionary Fellowship; the Secretary of the C.E.M.S.; the secretary, the scoutmaster and assistant-scout-masters, the cubmaster and assistant-cubmasters attached to our troop and pack, both of which are in a flourishing condition; the secretaries of the self-denial collection, Mrs Archer Hosking, Miss Boddington and Miss Vallance; the ladies who are responsible for the altar flowers and decorations; the altar servers; Mrs J. Welch and Mrs Hope for their work in looking after the altar linen and appointments; the secretary of the Tennis Club, and the secretaries of the Bible Classes. This is only an attempt to say 'thank you' to those who have worked so happily together."
Wairarapa Daily Times, 6 May 1929, Page 5
ANNUAL MEETING HELD.
THE YEAR'S WORK.
There was a good attendance of parishioners at the annual meeting of St. Matthew's Parish, held on Wednesday evening in the Parish Hall, the Vicar, the Rev. W. Bullock, presiding. In his annual report, which was adopted, the Vicar thanked the Rev. E. M. McLevie for faithful and diligent work during the year, Mr. K. Harper and Messrs. J. A. Rosewarne and Carter for valuable help rendered, which was greatly appreciated. He was happy to report that the Churchwardens and Vestry had had a year of amicable service together and wished to thank the retiring warden, Mr. L. B. Maunsell, for his four years of faithful work. Continuing, Mr. Bullock said that the Churchwardens and Vestry, for the coming year would be called to a very important period of service, as the future of the parish would depend a great deal upon what was being done this year. He expressed his gratitude to the Synod representatives, Mr. S. W. Smith and Mr. H. A. R. Dunderdale, and hoped that this year the parish would again be represented, as the Parish of St. Matthew would be deeply concerned in certain matters which would come up for discussion there. Mr. Bullock expressed his thanks to that important band of workers, the Sunday School teachers, Mr. McLevie, Mr. G. Hyde and Mr. W. A. Clarke, and to Miss Henderson, who ably carried on the Kindergarten School; to Mrs. W. B. Chennell, Mr. F. Law, Miss Cresswell, Miss A. Perry, Miss Lazarus, Mrs. Lett and Mr. Minton (who has taken the place of Mr. Law, recently left for England); to the Choir Mistress, Mrs. J. A. Rosewarne; the organist, Mrs. F, Hunn; to the Magazine secretary, Miss Rose Robinson; the secretaries of the various social functions; Mrs. Archer Hosking, Miss Boddington and Miss Vallance; the secretaries of the self-denial collection, who did yeoman service; and to Mesdames J. Welch and Hope for their work in looking after the Altar linen and appointments. The report referred to the recent much-needed improvements to the church, of which the chapel was consecrated on April 7 by the Bishop of Wellington. He expressed the hope that the completion of this work would not be a far-distant event.
The Churchwarden's report showed that the total collections for the year were £605 17s 6d., of which £475 11s 11d was for general expenses of the parish. The annual subscriptions amounted to £325 10s. The weekly subscriptions through envelopes amounted to £129, which was included in the collections. The Parish Fund, owing to extraordinary calls upon it totalling some £60, had its deficit increased by nearly £20. The report congratulated the committee of the Church of the Epiphany on the payment of £100 assessment to the Curate Fund, and the Ladies' Guild at that end of the parish for their effort in raising a sum of £100 for a Kuripuni vicarage. Special mention was made in the report of the recent church improvements. Thanks were expressed to the Vicar and his assistants for their unfailing attention to duty during the year, also to Mrs.Bullock.
The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted:--Vicar's Warden, Dr. Archer Hosking; People's Warden, Mr. S. W. Smith; Vestry, Messrs. J. Ninnes, T. T. Denbee, E. Hale, G. Hyde, H. A. R. Dunderdale, W. Hickson, H. F. Green, W. A. Clarke, F. W. Groves, W. Penistone; synodsmen, Messrs. S. W. Smith and H. A. R. Dunderdale.
On the motion of Mr. H. M. Boddington, it was decided that the matter of appointing auditors be left in the hands of the incoming Vestry. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring auditors.
Minutes of Annual Meeting of Parishioners held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, April 24, 1929, at 7.30 pm. (Pages 136-137)
Present
The Vicar presiding; Rev. E McLevie, the Churchwardens and some 60 parishioners.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from the two Miss Vallances, Mr Ninnes, Mr Major and Mrs Hosking.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Wednesday, May 3, 1925, were read and confirmed.
Balance Sheet Report
It was resolved that the Balance Sheet be accepted as read, Dr Archer Hosking read his report and moved that the Report and Balance Sheet be adopted. Mr Hyde, in seconding, took exception to the way one item in the Balance Sheet was presented, viz, the item in the Parish Hall account, which read Commission on Letting. Mr Denbee moved and Mr Perry seconded That the sum referred to be amended to read Commission on Letting Paid to Caretaker. This amendment meeting with the approval of Mr Hyde. The report and Balance Sheet was adopted as amended.
Vicar's Report
The Vicar read his report in which he thanked Mr McLevie for his loyalty and assistance, the Vestry for their cooperation and help during the year, he sincerely thanked the Sunday School Teachers for their devotion and work. The Ladies' Guild, the Girls' Club and to all other workers connected in any way with the church's activities, he expressed his very sincere thanks.
Curate's car
Mr Robinson moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming Vestry that an allowance be made to the Curate toward the running expenses of his car.
Election of Officers
The Vicar nominated Dr Hosking as this Warden for the ensuing year and in doing so, sincerely thanked the retiring Warden Mr L B Maunsell for his help and assistance during his term of office.
People's Warden
Mr Denbee moved and Mr Hale seconded that Mr Sydney Smith be elected People's Warden for the next 12 months. Carried.
Vestrymen
The following nominations were received for the position of Vestrymen, viz, Mrs Stiddolph, Messrs Clarke, Dunderdale, Green, Groves, Hyde, Hale, Stubbings, Ninnes, Hickson, Penistone, Robinson, Buckton, and Denbee. An election being necessary Messrs Hunter and Whitton were appointed scrutineers. The result of the election was as follows: Messrs Ninnes, Denbee, Hale, Hyde, Dunderdale, Hickson, Green, Clarke, Groves, Penistone.
The Vicar declared the above named 10 duly elected Vestrymen for the ensuing 12 months.
For the purpose of electing two Synodsmen, the People's Warden took the chair and called for nominations. The following nominations were received, viz, S W Smith and H A R Dunderdale. There being only sufficient nominations to fill the vacancies, the Chairman declared Messrs Smith and Dunderdale duly elected Synodsmen for a further term.
Finance Committee
The Vicar moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming Vestry that a small sub-committee be elected to go into the finances of the Parish Hall.
Auditors
It was resolved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded the Auditors for their services and that the question of appointing auditors for the next year be left to the Vestry.
The Ladies' Guild for their services in thoughtfully providing refreshment were cordially thanked.
The meeting closed with the Grace.
Signed W M Bullock
Chairman, May 8, 1930
