PAROCHIAL DISTRICT OF ELLESMERE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 578, 26 April 1876, Page 4

PAROCHIAL DISTRICT OF ELLESMERE.

The annual Easter meeting of the parishioners of this district was held in the public library on Monday evening. About twenty gentlemen were present. The Rev J. Harris Wills, incumbent, occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings with prayer. The minutes of the special general meeting held on the 26th of July, and presided over by his Lordship the Primate, and of the meeting held on the 21 at of December, were then read and duly confirmed ; after whicn the chairman called on Mr Edward Lee, senior churchwarden and treasurer, to read the annual report and balance sheet. Mr Lee. in explaining the various entries in the offertories account to tne meeting, commented on the smallness of the proceeds of same, the average takings realinng only 33s per service, and trusted that during the current year a greater spirit of liberality would be evinced by the members of the congregation. He congratulated the meeting on the fact that the parsonage building had been at last completed, at a total cost of £1056, exclusive of the stable, which had cost an additional £B7, and stated that the total indebtedness of the district was as follows On account of church addition, £100; on account of parsonage buildings, £3OO ; and overdraft at bank of £69 4s ; that the church and furniture were insured for £BOO, and the parsonage for a simihr sum. He congratulated the parish on the appointment of the Rev Walter Harper to the cure, who would commence his duties on the Ist May, and in conclusion trusted that votes of thanks would be passed with acclamation to Mrs Jollie and the ladies of the district, to whose energy is entirely duo the handsome organ that now decorates the new The following gentlemen were then elected church officers for the ensuing year Churchwardens : Messrs Edward J. Lee and T. D, Acland. Vestrymen : —Messrs C. T, Bridge, H. M. Lee, C. Bourn, T. Dodd, T, Wauchop, Wm. Tnwood, A. O, Williams and J, H. Pass. , .. Votes of thanks were then passed to the outgoing church officers, and to Mrs Luxton for having kindly got up a concert in aid of the church building extension fund. Mr Edward Lee then said that he could not allow this opportunity to pass without requesting the meeting to place on record an expression of their feelings on the occasion of Mr Wills leaving them. He could bear witness to the unflagging energy always displayed by that gentleman in dis charging his parochial duties, and he was sure the same opinion was held by everybody in the district. He would now propose that a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Wills, for the untiring zeal with which he had always 'conducted the parish work, be recorded. That proposition was seconded by Mr Acland, and carried unanimously. Mr Wills, in rising to return thanks, said that he could not allow this opportunity to pass without saying a few formal words, bidding them adieu, although he would preach his valedictory address from the pulpit next Sunday. He assured them it was with heartfelt sorrow he did so ; that, although he had differed on some points with persons here present, yet he had always found it a pleasure to act with them in church matters, and at a time like this he felt far more than he could give utterance to. He again thanked them for the hearty vote of thanks they had Just passed, and would wish them good-bye. [Cheers,J The meeting was then closed by the reverend chairman pronouncing the benediction.