CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 91, 6 April 1876, Page 6

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

An adjourned meeting of the members of tbe •Church of England was held in St. Mark's Church, Balclutha, on the evening of the 27th ult. The attendance was rather small.

The Rev. F. Knowles, who was in the chair, said — " Before going on with the business of the meeting, I would like to make a few remarks, this being the first occasion on which I have had ' the pleasure cf addressing a meeting of church members in this district. I observe the fruits of the good work so well begun by your late pastor {the Rev. Mr -Withey), of whom I hear many speak very kindly, and I trust I may be able to tread in his footsteps. lam placed in a mor j favorable position than he was, the district now being much smaller, but still quite large enough for me to do my duty as it should be dene. 1 will not always be able to have two services in Balclutha every Sunday, but I will always hold • one each Sunday. *I purpose holding a monthly afternoon service for children, but aiso for the convenience of thoso members residing at a distance from the church, who are unable to attend -either morning or evening services, especially during the winter. I hope to see pn rents attending with their children. I would feel greatly obliged if the ve3try and parishioners will bring under my notice cases of distress and anything requiring my attention." He then called upon the Secretary (Mr Renner), to read the report, which is as follows : — Tour Committee have much pleasure in submitting their first report and balance-sheet for the period ending 29th "February, IS7G, (this being the first report submitted to a general meeting of churchmen in this district, subsequent to the appintmeut of the Committee in September, 1874), and congratulate the church members on the satisfactory position the Church has attained, this result being largely obtained by the uutiring energies of the ladies of the congregation. The bazaar, held in "November last, realized a vary handsome sum, although the *> weather was most unfavorable. Your Committee are perfectly satisfied with the erection of the church, the whole of the work having been enrried out by the contractor in a thoroughly wcrkma.i.l ike manner, this being no doubt due, in a -great measure, to the careful and gratuitous cupervision of Mr John Stace, of Christchui'eh, to whom tho .Committee aro very givtc-tul for not only liberally subscribing to the funds of tho church but also for suggesting manyalterations and improvements, which made the church so substantial aud comfortable. The Committee have another very kind act lo bring under tbe notice of tbe church members, viz., the presentation of a church bell by Mrs Hutchins, of Alton, England, (mother of jtfr G. W. Hutchins), this donation being deserving of a special vote of thanks. No doubt surprise will bs expressed at the purchase of two sites on which to erect the church. In .explanation, your Committee submit the foi- j lowing, viz., the first site obtained (that purchased from Mr J. Robertson), was subsaquently considered unsuitable, and anoMier, equally as good for the purpose, being offered at a lower ! cost, the first site was sold at a profit of £20, and tho church erected on the section purchased from Mr R. Henderson, which the Committee venture to state was a very judicious course. Your Committee recommend that some small improvement be made in the vestry for keeping necessaries, and that circular holes be cut in the bell tower for the purpose of allowing the bell to be heard to greater advantage. Some additional furniture is required, as also a lectern aud font. Your Committee desire to express their thanks to the members of all denominations in Balclutha and district tor the liberal manner in which they have subscribed to the building fund, and their kind and hearty co-operaVlon in all undertakings for the good of the Church. Your Committee would remind members that the district has very recently been divided, Balclutha, Inch Cluthk, Kaitangata, South Molyneux, and -half- way between Clinton and Balclutha being constituted the new charge. Presuming that £100 will be received as oft'ertries in St. Mark's and St. Mary's, this will leave fully ■£200 to be-collected in order to pay stipend, incidental expenses and interest on loan. Your Committee, therefore, trust that members will subscribe as liberally to the stipend fund as their means will admit of. There is a mortgage of i&oO on the church, but as the balauce in the Bank, and several sums that are owing, amount to over.£loo, the debts may virtually be stated as £250' Some tteps must be taken in order to •reduce this "amount during the current -year.

In conclusion, your Committee heartily congratulate the church members on the appointment of the "Rev. Mr F. Knowles to the charge of this district, and they trust that, with God's blessing and and aid, the progress during the ensuing year will be "Wen more satisfactory. The report and balance-sheet were received as read, and adopted. Dr Smith was appointed church officer, and the following elected committeemen for the year ending 31st December", 1876 :—Messr3 M'Owen, W. E. Farrer, Hutchins, J. A. Mackenzie. H. S. lieunert, Bcntbam, Griffiths, Renner, Telford

(Otanomomo), IT. Pillans, (Inch Clutha), W. A. | Mosley, (Inch Clutha), J. "H. Jenkinson, (Port '< Molyneux), Jeffries, (Te Houka), and Taylor, (Kaitangata.) The election of Treasurer and Secretary was left to the Committee. Mr M'Owen proposed' I**1 ** that the Secretary receive a cordial vote of thanks for his past services." Seconded by Mr Clarke and carried. . Mr Reunert proposed " That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mrs Hutchins for her handsome present of a bell, and to Mr Stace, for the great aid ho gave in supervising the erection of the church, aud that the Secretary be requested to write to Mrs Hutchins and Mr Stace accordingly." Carried unanimously. After transacting somo church business of a -formal nature, the meeting concluded with the •usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.