Parishioners' Meeting.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1894, Page 2

Parishioners' Meeting.

The annual meeting of parishioners of St. John's parish was held in Miss Go'odbehere's school room, Manchester street last evening, there being a fair number present. The Bey. A. S. Jones, who was in the chair, stated that he had received apologies for non-attendance from several gentlemen residing in the various parochial districts, and but for this the whole of the districts would have been represented. As it was Feildfng, Kiwitea, Halcotnbe and Stan way were represented. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. . Mr S. Goodbehere, Secretary, read the report and balance-sheet for the year ending June 30, 1894, as follows : — BALANCE SHKET. .•< ' Receipts.

The balance account showed a surplus of £4 9s id. Report. . The Report of the Vestry read as follows : — ' " " This is our first experienceof commencing a financial year, not only, free from debt but without expectation of assistance from the Diocesan Fond, which has always until the present year been granted to us, and the result has proved that what was hoped for in the Report submitted at the last Annual Meeting— viz., ' That we should in futufe I be able to keep our expenditure within our income' has been realised, as will bo seen by the Balance Account now submitted to this meeting whicti shows a surplus of assets over liabilities of M 9s 1. This satisfactory result" has been mainly brought about ,by -an' inincrease in subscriptions, offertories and seat rents amounting to ±'37 lls lid over and above similar receipts during the previous year. We must not, however, congratulate ourselves too much on our present position as there does not seem much prospect of any material increase in our ordinary income, so as to enable us to pay the Curate's stipend within a reasonable time after it becomes due without obtaining an overdraft from the Bank of from ±'40 to ±'50, or' to crekte a reserve for repairs or emergencies for which we shall have to rely on special efforts. Considering the great extent of the Feilding parochial district," its increasing population, and the requirements of Church members for additional Church services, the "Vestry invites a discussion at this meeting, as to the desirability and feasibility »of the appointment of an assistant curate, and it is hoped that in the course of the ensuing year we shall be able to congratulate ourselves- upon ian: additional Church which we understand is about to be erected at Stanway." The Secretary explained several matters in connection with the balance sheet, and mentioned that the balance at the end of June had since been considerably increased by various offertories. He had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr Bray, seur, seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. The Rev Innes Jones brought up a matter which had recently been discussed at a recent meeting, with regard to the Curate having to pay rent for the paddock fur his horses, amounting to £5 per annum. He certainly thought that the Curate should have the rent of the paddock freeji as his horses were kept for parish, work, and not for his own enjoyment. Mr S. Goodbehere, in referring to the subject, said he would make the following proposition : That during the term of t<be lease of the paddock granted by the trustees of the pension fund, the annual rent of £5 thereby reserved shall be paid by the vestry out of the church fund.. This was seconded by Mr Bray («enr), and carried. The next business was the election of officers, which resulted as follows : —Curate's Churchwarden, Mr H; L. Sherwill ; People's Churchwarden, Mr C. Bray, senr. ; Vestrymen, Messrs W. G. Haybittle, A. F. Halcombe, W. D. Nicholas, A. H. Fry, E. J. Allen, 8. Goodbehere and G. Wheeler. Mr J. Saxon was, also nominated, but he preferred to stand out. Mr H. B. Dyer was re-elected auditor. This being the whole of the routine business the Rev Innes Jones brought up the subject of an Assistant Curate. He thought it was very necessary that an assistant should be procured in order tbat the whole of the parochial districts might receive more attention. The Stanway people hoped soon to have a church there, and he could not give bi-monthly services there, as required, without relinquishing some of his duties in other districts. If the members wished it he could go on as at present, but he was sure much benefit would be derived if help were obtained. If say £150 could be raised in the various districts — which he thought by each contributing a certain sum could be done — an assistant could he obtained, and he mentioned a promising youn.g curate in Auckland who would come to Feildin.g for that amount, providing he was not called to Blenheim. They could easily obtain a man, but not so easily the money. He had written to Archdeacon Fancourt on the matter, and he had replied asking for further information, and stated that the matter would have to come before the Synod, which meets about the end of September. He would like to hear the opinion of those present on the subject. Mr Halcombe thought tbat an assistant curate should certainly be obtained, as the duties of such a lar«e district were too arduous for one man. The general opinion of the meeting was to the same effect, and con,side? able discussion ensued as to the h©^ mode of ascertaining what amount each djstrict was tfkely to contribute towards the proposed stipend. Mr H. C. Wilson eventually proposed, That the Vestry take the= necessary steps to canvass the par<* chial district to raise funds towards, the sfrpetid of an Assistant Curate* and report at a special meeting of 1 parishioners to be convened by the

Curate. This was seconded by Mr A. F. Halcombe and carried. Mr W. G. Haybittle thought that as the outlying districts would receive the greater benefit from having an assistant they should contribute the main portion of his stipend. Messrs Wilson and Wheeler differed, and maintained that Feilding would ike wise benefit. The Chairman mentioned that the Ladies' Working Bee intended to hold a sale of work at the end of the year, the proceeds of which would go towards obtaining a new organ. They deserved praise for the manner in which they were working. In the past three or four years they had collected £IG3, which was very creditable indeed. Mr* Bray, senr., proposed a hearty vote, of thanks to the Misses and Mr S. Goodbehere for the manner in ■which they had worked in collecting money and keeping the accounts. ] This was carried unanimously. J Votes of thanks were also passed to the organists, Sunday School teachers, choir master, and all others who had j assisted in the work of the Church, and a like complement to the Chairman terminated the meeting.

A s d. Cash in hand ... ... ... 5 0 7 FeiJdinK Subscriptions ... 93 17 3 Contributions from Halcotnbe 40 0 0 Contributions from Kiwitea ... 25 0 0 Contributions from Awahuri 710 0 Feildin# offertory 108 2 1 Colyton offertory 6 15 5; Stan way offertory 2 5 5 Seat rents 19 2 6 Miscellaneous receipts ... 23 11 6 Total £331 4 9 Expenditure. General Church fund ...243 15 6 Verger 16 0 0 Miscellaneous payments ... 45 19 8 Balance 25 10 1 Total ,£331 4 9