ST. MATTHEW’S (EPISCOPALIAN) CHURCH, CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 930, 13 February 1880, Page 3

ST. MATTHEW’S (EPISCOPALIAN) CHURCH, CLYDE.

A meeting of parishioners was held in the Committee-room of the Public Library on Monday evening last. His Lordship Bishop Nevill of the Diocese, who occupied the chair, stated the object of the meeting-was to receive the report of the retiring officers of the Church, Churchwardens and Vestrymen, the election of officers for the ensuing yi ar, and the consideration of Church affairs generally. He then called for the reports, the which having been read and received, and votes of thanks recorded to the retiring officers, the election of their successors proceeded and resulted as follows Mr .). E ''tevens (Clergyman’s Churchwarden), Mr J. U. Cambridge (Parishioners’ Churchwarden), and Messrs W. Fraser, M‘George, P J. Wilson, Clark, and G. Fache (Vestrymen). Votes of thanks were recorded to Mr P. J. Wilson (Lay Reader) and Mr J. E. Stevens (Organist) for their services, and the meeting closed. The vestry then met. His Lordship said their first business was one of ways and means. He explained that during his visit to Cromwell he had attended a meeting of the Vestry there, and had been given to understand that that, body was now desirous of joining with the parish of Clj'de in maintaining a clergyman tor the two parishes, a condition being that equal services was given each Church, and that thay would guarantee L 125 per annum. His Lordship said, considering the expenses a clergymen for the Churches would neces sarily be at, he thought that the stipend should not be less than L3OO per annum. It therefore remained with the parish of Clyde to say if they could make up the difference. Mr J. E. Stevens said he thought there would be no difficulty. Mr F. J. Wilson said, though ho would not decrease his usual subscription, he did not think the amount c mid be raised, together with the sum required to pay off the existing liability. He, however, had no desire to throw cold wate- on the movement, and if it was decided to make the attemnt he would render every assistance possible. Mr Clark thought that as Clyde was at the cost of the parsonage, and the ministrations equal, that Cromwell should extend its quota of stipend. He sai l further by the financial report as read, it appeared that Clyde had to contribute to the Diocesan Fund over 1.20 per annum, while Cromwell had to pay nothing. In reply it was explained that Clyde, though at the expense of the parsonage, had the benefit of the constant residence of the clergyman, whereas Cromwell had but occasional visits ; also, that Cromwell, though not contributing to the Diocesan Fund, had a small sura to pay in the shape of a parochial fee. In reply to Mr Fa he. Hi? Lor’ship said that as yet there was no fund from which aid could be "drawn to assist the poorer parishes of the Diocese. He explained that he had established the nucleus of a fund, the which in course of time would be devoted to that purpose, and he thought the combined parishes of Cromwell and Clj’de would be entitled to assistance from it. Other matters relating to th-’ parish and church matters generally having been discussed, and a vote of thanks recorded to His Lordship the Bishop for his attendance, the meeting closed.