EASTER PARISH MEETINGS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 870, 9 April 1877, Page 2

EASTER PARISH MEETINGS.

ST. LUKE’S. The annual parish meeting of St. Luke’s was held on Friday evening at the schoolroom; the Rev. E. A. Lingard, incumbent, in the chair. There was a good attendance. The Rev. Chairman said lie felt himself in a somewhat delicate position in addressing the parishioners, in consequence of the state of the balance-sheet, and his having been absent from them through illness for nearly six months. His health was now nearly restored, and he had resumed his duties. (Applause.) Another unfortunate circumstance that had occurred was the death of the organist on his way out to take charge of the choir. This misfortune had also had a prejudicial effect upon his health, as it had compelled him (Mr Lingard) to continue to perform the duties of choirmaster, when he felt very unfitted for the work. He was, however, glad to say that, through the kindness of Christchurch friends, some provision had been made for Mrs Nottingham and family, and he (Mr Lingard) had also received about £l6O from the parish in which that gentleman had lived at home. He would now ask Mrßlakiston to read the report and statement of accounts, but before doing so he desired to lay a number of reports of the last Synod on the table for general distribution. In the report read the vestry regretted to have to inform parishioners that owing to a considerable falling off in the offertories the financial position of the parish was less satisfactory than at Easter, 1876, this state of things being traceable to several leading members of the congregation and liberal supporters of the Church having removed from the parish, and to one other reason probably, viz., the death of Mr Nottingham, which had affected the efficiency of the choir. In the statement of accounts, the stipend account showed the receipts (including a balance of £7B 5s 9d) to have amounted to £516 7s 9d ; Cr side, including a balance from last Easter, of £2O 7s 9d. The assets on the whole of the Church‘accounts amounted to £lB Is, the liabilities being £ll7 15s ss. In reply to Mr Mclntyre, the Chairman said he should like to see the new hymnal introduced into the parish. It was merely a question of expense. The old edition of * “ Hymns Ancient and Modern” was out of print, and for the convenience of those who might have the new book lie had thought of giving a verse of each at the services. Conversation then took place as to the necessity of defining the boundies between St Matthew and Mcrivale Churches, Mr Mclntyre moved — “ That in the opinion of this meeting it is undesirable that any portion of the parish of St. Luke’s should be cut off until such time as a separate parish or parochial district is formed in connection with St. Matthew’s Church.” Mr T. GorAon seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. In reply to a parishioner, the Chairman said that from a letter received by the vestry it was thought that Mr E. Watkins would be able to commence his duties as organist and choirmaster in about six weeks. The date of his letter was 17th March. A resolution moved by Mr Crooks to the effect that suitable sittings should be provided in the church for ladies who woidd be willing to give their services to assist in the choir, was agreed to after some discussion. Mr Meddings moved—lhat in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the new edition of Hymns A. and M. be brought into use as soon as practicable. Mr Mclntyre seconded the motion, which wa carried. On the motion of Mr M. M. Wyatt,s seconded by Mr Gordon, it was resolved to refund to the incumbent the sum of £32, being half the amount agreed upon between himself and the Rev. J. W. Stack for his services as locum tenens during the temporary retirement of the former gentleman from the parish through ill-health. The Chairman thanked the meeting heartilv for their kind resolution. As had been hinted at by Mr Wyatt, he (the chairman) had been ten years in the parish, as it was on the 6th April, 1867, that ho was inducted by the Bishop. He had promised at the time that if his health permitted he would remain ten years. This he had done, vnd hoped, if his health continued good, to remain another ten years. [Applause.] At least lie would tell them there was no other parish in New Zealand that he would leave St. Luke’s for. [Applause.] The election oi officers tliea ’.tools tyugard ao»i

aated Mr W. A. Knapman as his churchwarden ; Mr G. A. Mclntyre was nominated parishioners’ churchwarden and unanimously ejected. The following gentlemen were elected vestrymen—Messrs A. Blakiston, T. Q-ordon, C. R. Blakiston, Crooks, Dixie, E. Strange, Maling, Meddings, W. Townsend, and Makeig. Votes of thanks were passed to St. Matthew’s and St. Luke’s choirs for their services. The Chairman intimated that next Monday would be the last day on which nominations would be received for Synodsmcn, to be left before 4 o’clock at Mr Medding’s house. A vote of thanks to the rev, chairman terminated the meeting.