PARISH MEETING.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 68, 19 August 1874, Page 3

PARISH MEETING.

A meeting of the parishioners of St Luke’s was held last evening in the schoolroom, to consider the question of the continuance or otherwise of the boys’ school in connection with the parish. The attendance was not large. The chair was occupied by the Rev E. A. Lingard, incumbent of the parish. The proceedings having been opened with prayer, the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman said there were two matters which had to come before them that evening, viz., the carrying on or otherwise of the boys’ school, and the filling up of a vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Gordon as churchwarden. the meeting was called by request of the school committee, who had received a request from the master for an increase of salary, to which they were unable to accede owing to want of funds. He (the incumbent) had rendered an account of the state of the school funds which showed a deficit of £l3. Under these circumstances the committee felt that it was only right to summon a meeting of the parishioners and consider the question. Under the present system of Government education there was no religious teaching given in the city at all. It had been proposed to hold religious teaching either one whole day in the week or on Saturday’s, but as this was the children’s holiday he had not taken any further steps in the matter. He felt that to close this school would be a great disaster, but while saying this he must say that he had no wish to involve the parish in financial difficulties. It was matter for consideration whether the school should be kept on as a parochial school pure and simple, or as a kind of diocesan school. He suggested that they should carry on the school uutil the Synod met, when application might be made to them to make a grant in aid. If £1 per head per year was granted by the Synod they could keep up a very good and efficient school. Of course if the Synod refused aid they would have to close the school, there was no help for it, but still he thought that the Synod would assist them. He would now read a statement of accounts; assets and liabilities. The latter showed a balance against the account of £l4. The attendance from Easter 1873 to Easter 1874, was 88, with an average attendance of 33. From June to August 14th, the number on the roll was 48, with an average attendance of 33. In answer to his Honor the Judge The chairman stated that the annual expenditure necessary to carry on the school at present, was £2OO per annum, while the income was about £9O. including rent of cottage. Mr George Gordon thought that this information should have been laid before the school committee, who were the proper persons to decide upon the matter. His Honor Mr Justice Gresson said, that the information given by the chairman had substantially been laid before the school committee, but they felt it was necessary that, the parishioners should be consulted on the subject, and also an opportunity afforded to them to know whether the parishioners would be prepared to meet the deficiency which must necessarily occur at the end of the year. Mr Gordon contended that the day for these schools had gone by, and they were superseded by the Government schools. His opinion was that they should support the Government schools, and endeavour to amend any little deficiencies apparent. He had looked upon it from the first that the result of the establishment of the Government system would be the extinction of the parish schools. In reply to Mr Blakiston, The Chairman stated that the liability necessary to be incurred up to Christmas if the school were carried on, would be £BO exclusive of the grant from the Church Property Trustees. After some discussion, Mr George Gordon moved —“That the boys’ school be closed at as earlv a period as convenient.” Mr Henning seconded the motion. After a lengthy discussion. Mr A, F. N. Blakiston moved—“ That failing a grant-in-aid from the Synod at the coming session the school be closed at Christmas, bub that if a grant be then voted by the Synod, the school be continued till Easter, and the question of continuance oi otherwise brought before the parishioners at the annual meeting.”

His Honor the Judge seconded the amendment .

The amendment was declared to bo carried on the voices.

A division was called for, resulting as follows—For the amendment, 15 ; against, 3.

A subscription lisr, was then opened in aid of the funds necessary to keep up the school.