THE VESTRY REPORT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 141, 23 November 1877, Page 2

THE VESTRY REPORT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AKAROA MAIL

Sir,—Will you allow me space for the following reply to your correspondent, "Late Churchwarden," as he requests it. I must, however, preface my remarks by stating that your report of the Vestry meeting was scarcely correct, because the inference to be drawn from it was that the Rev P.C. Anderson wasin the chair, whereas, in accordance with an arrangement made at a previous meeting, he left the chair when we commenced to discuss finance. I was in the chair when the resolution complained of by " Late Churchwarden " was passed, and it was at my request that the Vestry passed it, so as to exonerate me from blame at the next annual meeting. I think the figures taken from the books will, without much comment from me, best show whether the word " unsatisfactory " was correctly used. I may observe that the accounts consist of separate funds, and the Vestry have no power to appropriate balances of one account to the purposes of another, without special resolution, of which I find no record in the minute book. The accounts of " Late Churchwarden " stand in his books as follows, including balances to the credit of the various accounts: — RECEIPTS. Parochial Fund >.. ... £334 10 11 Church Extension 96 17 10 Cemetery Account ... 77 8 6 Parsonage Fund 2 0 0 £510 17 3 EXPENDITURE. Parochial Fund ... ... £324 7 7 Church Extension 226 2 0 Cemetery Account ... 54 13. 7 Parsonage Fund 29 14 0

£634 17 2 Thus showing that " Late Churchwarden " has paid £123 19s lid more than he has received, either out of his own pocket, or, at any rate, in some way that the books do not show. If the former of these surmises is correct, I suppose the Vestry may expect an account to be sent in for it, Avhich, lam sure, will be very " unsatisfactory" to them,'while to be called on for an explanation, would be very " unsatisfactory " to myself. However, this much I can assure "Late Churchwarden," that the term was not

msed in the sense he suggests, either 1 to denote " a deficit or embezzlement" of any sort, but simply to place on record where the blame, if any,'; should be laid. I am sure tbe Vestry will be only to allow V Late Churchwarden " to rectify the apparent error, supposing he has not paid the money out of his own pocket. ■From this short statement I hope the "educated " portion of the parishioners at least will be able to decide as to the " mis-application " or otherwise of the term complained of.—Yours, &c, HENRY WAGSTAFF.