Tli* annual soirSe m connection -with the above Church, was held at the Mechanics'lnsti tute yesterday evening.. The hall was well filled. After the tables were removed the public meeting was opened by the Ilev. Mr Barclay, who was m the choir. We must defor till next issue a full report of the meeting. We give. the annual report of the progress of the Church m Timaru aud the surrounding dis tricts read by Mr Hart, the Secretary, and the balance sheet which was presented by Mr Chisholm, the .Treasurer. The report was as follows :— ' In presenting the annual report of the Timaru Presbyterian Church, the Committee are gratified to state that the course of the year has been one of progress. Many difficulties whichappearedfbrmidable at the period of the lost anniversary lessoned as they were approached, and the resources of the congregation, notwithstanding the adverse events that have befallen the town and dis trict, have shown a marked 'elasticity. f In looking back over the past year, it will be necessary to note those occurrences which have marked ' its course, like mile-atones on the way, to point out the progress that has boen made, and to show our present financial position. In noticing the material progress of the congregation, the Committee have to announce Unit the Minister's stipend has been fully paid, and that several other sums have been raised throughout the year, which they "think have been judiciously expended. , ' « The church platform, which had remained from the first iv an unfinished state, has been completed — with a reading desk attached — m a neat and substantial manner, at a cost of £16. The woodwork m the church has likewise becn-stuined and vain shed, and the seats numbered at a cost of £16, which' lias much improved its internal 'appearance,'. and in creased the comiort of the congregation. The reading desk has been' furnisiied with a hundßomo 'cushion- and'ljosJselsi' 1 and the screen ol 1 lie plutform covered with crimson rep at a cost of five .guineas. Tho passages have likewise, been matted, and the. windows .on the north side of the church hung with blinds at a cost of £5. The church has also been recently lighted with luiiips at a cost of £13, .which sum was subscribed by a few menibeia of the congre gation. 