CHURCH MEETING, RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1511, 11 April 1885, Page 2

CHURCH MEETING, RAKAIA.

[From Our Own Correspondent ] The annual meeting of parishioners was held in the Library on Thursday evening. The Rev E. 0. Chambers took the chair. Only' a small number besides the vestrymen were present. The meeting opened with prayer, and after the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, Mr Pyke, the Parish Churchwarden, read the annual balance sheet as follows ; Receipts. £ s d Offertories for the year ... ... 60 7 7 Subscriptions for the year ... ... 139 5 3 Special subscriptions on -ccount of the Methven Church 4$ 19 9 Subscriptions paid in advance to March 31, 18S6 46 14 o Total ... ... ~,£286 6 7 Expenditure. Stipend ... ... ... ... 212 10 o Investment Association ... ... 22 3 6 Church Property Trustees ... 43 10 o Sundries (insurance, Verger, etc.) 48 3 4 Total 6 10 Assets. Outstanding subscriptions... ... 40 o o Liabilities, Bank overdraft 183 7 I Church Property Trustees ... IJ 5 6 Permanent Building Society ... 15 o o Sundry charges 63 I 7 Total £276 14 2 There ia also a very considerable amount owing to the Church Property Trustees on the building, the payment of which extends over a number of years, ropresontinpTabout L6O per annum. In consequence of the financial position of the parish the Incumbent’s resignation has been accepted by the Bishop, and he will proceed to Lyttelton on duty. It was resolve I to endeavor to manage without a clergyman for twelve months, or until such time as the greater portion of tire liabilities now existing were paid off.

On the motion of Mr Hardy, seconded by Mr Chapman, tho report and balance sheet were adopted. It was resolved that Mr Chapman be recommended to the Bishop for the appointment of Minister’s Churchwarden, and the Chairman was requested to forward the recommendation. Mr 0. A. 0. Hardy was unanimously elected Parishioner's Churchwarden. It was resolved that the following be appointed Vestrymen :—Messrs Lyttelton ; Coster aud Pyke, representing Rakaia ; Messrs G. H. Allinpton, Reynolds and Morgan, Mothven : Messrs 0. S. Mackie and D. Eurat, Barrhill ; and Messrs Wilkinson and Maugham, Ohertsey; Messrs Hardy and Chapman acting ex officio. On tho motion of Mr Hardy, seconded by Mr Chapman, it was resolved—That in consequence of the great distances between the churches in the parish, that the Mothven, Chertsey, Rakaia, and Barrhill be formed into separate church districts with power to elect sub-committees for the purpose of assisting the vestry ; each sub-committee to have the disposal of the offertories for the maintenance of their several churches, and to render a quarterly account when sending in their subscriptions towards the payment of the parish debt and ordinary expenses.

A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Professor Cook for his past services as Synodsman re presenting this district. Mr Edward Chapman was declared duly e’ected as Synodaman for the Rakaia district. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to the lay-readers, and they were earnestly requested to continue their services. This they undertook to do. Proposed by Mr Chapman, and seconded by Mr Pyke— f< That as the incumbent is leaving the district, a very heirty and strong vote of thanks be passed to him as well as to Mrs Chambers, who, with her husband, hid materially helped the work of the Church in the district during the past four years.”—Carried unanimously. Several others present having spoken very kindly of Mr and Mrs Chambers and wished them every success in the future, the reverend gentleman responded. He much regretted leaving so many friends and hoped to be often here again, he thanked those present as well as many who were unable to attend for the great kindness and consideration ever shown to him. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.