KAIAPOI PARISH MEETING.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 445, 17 November 1875, Page 2

KAIAPOI PARISH MEETING.

A meeting of parishioners was called on Monday evening last, to be held in the Episcopalian school room at 7.80 o’clock, to elect a vestryman in room of Mr R. S. Bean, resigned. About forty persons, including one or two ladies, were present, Rev H. E. Carlyon, curate, presiding. After some delay in registering several Church members, The chairman announced that the meeting would proceed to elect a new vestrjman. Mr E. Revell asked to have the letter, forwarding the resignation of Mr Beau, read. The chairman was afraid he had not got it. On examining some papers, be said he was sorry he had not brought it. Mr Revell thought perhaps a copy would be forthcoming. Mr Bean handed to the chairman a copy of the letter, which he read, as follows : “ Kaiapoi, 9th November, 1875. “ Rev Sir—ln consequence of the Romanising tendency of the Church services, as atpresent conducted, I find that I cannot conscientiously hold office in the church, and therefore beg to tender my resignation aa vestryman ” That was all which it was necessary to read. Mr Bean observed that was not all the' contents of the letter. The chairman said it was all that need be 1 read. Mr J. Lowthian Wilson moved, Mr S. S. Powell seconded —“ That all the contents of the letter be read.” Carried, one or two dissenting. The chairman then read—“ I also wish to inform you that for the same reasons, and also for reasons given to yourself on former occasions, I intend to give up my office aa Sunday school teacher, and to withdraw my children from the same. I cannot conclude without entering my solemn protest as a father and a Churchman against the innovations that have been allowed to creep into the church since your arrival here, and also to express my opinion that if it continues a great number will secede from the Church. “ I remain, Rev Sir, “ Your obedient servant, “R. S. Bean. “ To Rev H. B. Carlyon.” The chairman said the meeting would now proceed to elect a vestryman, Mr C. Dudley proposed Mr F. H. M,Walker as a vestryman. The chairman thought Mr Walker was noteligible. Mr J, F. Fletcher seconded the nomination oi Mr Walker. Mr E. Revell wished to have Mr Bean 8 ; letter discussed first of all. The chairman ruled theyjwere met to elect a vestryman. Mr Revell persisted that the letter should be considered. He moved this be done, and ; then the meeting would see who was likely to best represent them. Mr C. Dudley seconded the proposition of Mr Revell. The chairman would only rule that themeeting must proceed to elect a vestryman,, and could discuss that question alone. Mr Revell maintained it was competent to 1 discuss other business. Mr J. Birch (curate’s churchwarden)) maintained the meeting was called for one special purpose. He had no wish to burk discussion, but the regulations of the Synod,, with reference to conduct of parish meetings,, would have to be adhered to. Mr J. C. Revell moved —“ That the meeting adjourn, and notice be given of another meeting, to elect a vestryman and discussother matters.” Mr S. S. Powell seconded this. Mr Wilson considered it would be preferable to go into these other matters, and prevent the amount of scandal which was spreading abroad. Mr Birch said it was better to let the meeting proceed, and call a meeting for the consideration of the grievances any might have. If this were done, he would give eveiy assistance to a full inquiry. Mr E. Revell deemed it a question of urgent necessity that the meeting should discuss the matters alluded to at once, some

of them being so disgusting in their nature that no right-minded man could go to the church unless they were cleared up. Mr J. Beswick very much regretted that a difficulty had arisen in egard to discussing these questions, for as a father of a family and one interested in the affairs of the parish, he was anxious to see a vestryman selected who would repre en t the parishiouers, and until the matters to which allusion had been made were cleared up, it was hardly possible to select such a person. He moved with the election of a vestryman till the parishioners have an opportunity of discusing the general conduct of the curate. Mr Revell considered the meeting could decide that the chairman leave the chair and proceed to elect another chairman. The chairman called the last speaker to order. By virtue of his office he was chairman of all meetings. Mr Birch read the regulation on this Mr Revell considered the meeting might discuss whatever was thought proper. The chairman pointed out it could only do so on points of order regarding the purpose for which it was called. Mr Dudley seconded Mr Beswick’s motion, strongly urging that it was the only way in which the parishioners would have an opportunity of getting a meeting, and a means by which they could make themselves Birch would not accept the motion. It was a reflection on the church officers. (Hear.) The church officers were the proper persons to consider the question of the curate’s conduct, and represent the same if necessary to the Bishop, Now if any one had a complaint to make, it ought to be handed in in a proper way. The motion showed a want of confidence. (No.) He wanted to see the meeting go on in an orderly way with the election, for which he had asked one gentleman to allow himself to be put in nomination. Now it was not known that any other question was to be brought forward. Most of those present came to elect a vestryman and not to discuss other matters. The appointment of a vestryman was quite an ordinary matter. They did not want a theologian or any one with a qualification of such a nature that would necessitate discussion. If the motion was carried, he should no longer act on the vestry, nor have afnything to do with it unless a resolution was passed by a parish meeting, rescinding this and condoning him. The vestry, he maintained, could not listen to men in the street and such. Mr H. Revell considered that the vestry did not need to listen to men in the street. The members of the vestry had surely witnessed the mummery in connection with the communion service. The chairman called the last speaker to oraer. Several in the meeting considered that “ other matters” might have been added to the notice of the meeting, as they always considered it usual at a general meeting of parishioners to discuss all questions of intcrcsti Mr Beswick pointed out he wanted to get an expression of opinion, and did not intend a want of confidence motion towards the vestry. He did not, however, desire to go to the vestry with his complaint, but wished to state it before the whole parish and the curate in an honest open way. Mr G. Dudley was anxious to see the matter fully gone into. There was a full meeting, and there could not be a better opportunity, and they were not intending, because Mr Birch objected, to stifle the matters that had to come out. He would, however, be very florry to see Mr Birch act on such a threat, after the amount of work which he (Mr Birch) had done for the church and done so well. [Hear, hear.] The chairman put Mr Beswick’a motion, which he declared to be in favor of the noes. A division was demanded. After some confusion in counting the division by Messrs Birch and Beswick, the tellers, the result was announced to be—ayes, 19 ; noes, 17. The chairman declared the motion carried. Mr Beswick moved—“ That the meeting adjourn till that day week.” A desultory discussion ensued as to the question of adjournment. Mr Walker read rule 37 to the effect that the right of adjournment was not with the clergyman, or any other person as chairman, or the churchwardens or vestrymen, but in the majority of votes of the whole assembly. Mr W. P. Wilson- thought if there was anything dark and mysterious to be considered, it would be better not to adjourn, bat to enter into the questions at once, aiid so avoid having a crowd of persons present at another meeting who might have no right to be present. In connection with church matters, he announced that had he known who it was that was sent to supply his place as layreader on Sunday, at the Island, he would have already communicated to the Bishop his intention in the matter. Several propositions were made about adjournment, Mr Beswick asserting that the parishioners did not want dust cast in their eyes, or to be bamboozled about having a meeting at which to state their grievances. Ultimately Mr Whitefoord (parishioners churchwarden) undertook to have a meeting properly convened to discuss the affairs of the parish, prior to the election of a vestryman on Monday evening next. This was agreed to and carried. Mr Beswick moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, and the meeting dispersed at nine o’clock.