PARISH MEETINGS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 874, 13 April 1877, Page 3

PARISH MEETINGS.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.

The annual parish meeting of this church was held on Wednesday evening, at the schoolroom; Rev 11. C. M. Watson, incumbent, in the chair. The rev chairman, in his remarks referred to the success of the recent mission work, and to the satisfactory state of the parish Sunday schools, and to the necessity and intention of enlarging the church. With reference to the question of what hymn book should be used in the church, he was opposed personally to the existing edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, and would desire the introduction of the New Zealand Hymnal. After referring to remarks as to the musical portion of the service being too elaborate, he expressed his thanks to the parishioners for the kindly feelings exhibited towards him during the past year. The annual report read, showed the vestry to have a sum of £149 Ids in hand towards the fund for improving the organ and erecting a bell in the tower. A member of the congregation had offered to present a bell when required, but the tower was at present unfit to receive one. The separation of the Waltham district left a debit on that account of £128135, against which, however, there would be a sum of £9711s 3dchargeableby St. John’s parish. The necessity for increasing the accommodation of the church had long been felt, and the vestry thought the time had arrived for making a strenuous effort to provide funds for carrying out the work, which they felt would be heartily approved and substantially supported by the congregation. The statement of accounts submitted showed the cash in hand on general account to be £5 2s 7d, the total debt of the parish being £416 11s 6d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, Mr Hcsketh was chosen incumbent’s churchwarden, and Mr 11. Thomson unanimously elected parishioners’ churchwarden. The following gentlemen were elected vestrymen—Messrs Aiken, Hargreaves, Curnow, Mills, Fooks, Hobden, Holloway, Carruthcrs, Ponsford, and Murphy. The question of enlarging the church was remitted to the incoming vestry, who were also asked to confer with the incumbent as to the proposed introduction of the new hymnal. After the usual votes of thanks the meeting was closed with the benediction.

OPAWA

The Rev. G, J. Oholmondelcy was in the chair. Owing to the unfavorable weather there was not a large attendance. The churchwardens’ report and balance-sheet for the past year were read and adopted. Mr W. H. Gundry was nominated incumbent’s churchwarden, and Mr Tipping was elected parishioners’ churchwarden, and the following gentlemen were elected vestrymen for the ensuing year ; Messrs E. Richardson, J. L. Coster, C. S. Howell, Thomas Pavitt, J, Lamb, J. E. March, E. J. T. Ford, J. Row-, C. S. Bell, and J. 11. Baker. Mr Harley was re-elected auditor. Owing to, the number of applications for sittings in the church, the vestry brought forward a recommendation to increase the number of appropriated sittings in the church, as it was considered that the free seats were in excess of the requirements of the congregation. It was proposed by Mr Tipping, and seconded by Mr Gundry, “ That every fifth pew bo free, in place of every third pew, as at present. Mr Murray-Aynsley moved, as an amendment, that the foregoing resolution should not apply to the nave of the church,” which was seconded by Mr Richardson pro forma. Several gentlemen expressed their opinions upon the matter,, y-nd the amendment was lost upon being put to the meeting. The original motion was then put and carried almost unanimously. Mr Hassal proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Mr Stephens, who, for some time, had acted as organist, at great inconvenience to himself, not being a resident in the parish. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Gundry, the returning officer, informed the meeting that Mr Hassal laid been duly elected to represent the parish of Opawa in the Diocesan Synod. LYTTELTON. The Rev F. C. Lloyd (incumbent) was in the chair. There was an attendance of about 30. The Rev Chairman, addressing the meeting, regrett ed not seeing a larger attendance, as it shewed great lack of interest in the work. To those who were present he had one or two matters to refer to. The vestry of the past year had not been idle, and the result of them work was evident in the alteration of the church during the past few months. There had been, AH. deaths, 10 marriages, and 87 baptisms amongst their own congregation during the- past year. Their finances were in a flourishing condition. A debt of L IB was still duo for repairs done, but with that exception the parish was clear of debt. He felt a word of praise was due from him, not only to the vestry but to the choir, more especially to one who had given up a great deal of time and taken much trouble as that choir’s leader. He, of course, alluded to Mr AY. B. Allwright, to whom he thought the thanks of the whole parish were due. Regarding the parsonage, and the site on which h» stood, the last thing done by the vestry had been to advertise it for sale, but they had not had a single application, and there was no doubt that f lip, oniy way to sell it was to cub the (and into sections, and this was in unison with the resolution passed at the last Synod. Ho anxiously wished for a parsonage nearer his work. They stood hr great need of an addition to the schoolroom they were in for their Sunday School, as the children were so numerous that it became absolutely necessary to have class rooms put up. Mr. H. R. Webb and all those who, worked in that room on a Sunday woul/I testify to the absolute necessity for tlifa being done speedily. There was one Mission that he -would commend to their most hearty sympathy. He i alluded to the Special Church Mission. He then called upon Dr Rouse to read the financial statement, which was as follows : Receipts—Balance to credit from last account, £6O 19s lOd; repairs since trpjxierred, £3l 19s 3d ; offertories, £23& lb's 3d; special subscriptions to. organ fund, £1 8s; pew rents, £155 17s 7d; special offertories—- ■ Melanesian Mission, £l-4 7s; Church work ] extension, £23 17s ; Maori Mission, £5 13s 8d; ; Church Mission, 10s 6d; Sunday Schools, £5 : IBs fid ; total, £53(3 7s 7d. Expenditure—- ‘ Special vote to churchwarden, £2O; incum- , bent’s stipend, £250; organist’s salary (thirteen months), £lB 15s ; verger and organ blower, ; £l3 12s; commission on, collection of pew : rents, £7 16s ; lighting Church, £2O IGs 5d ; jjgas fittings, Ac., £ll 15s- sd; insurance on |Church, £9; parsonage (insurance), £3 3a ; ’stationery, books, Ac., £1 0s fid ; printing and advertising, £1 -is fid; valuation and architect’s report, £2l; repairs, alteration,

&e., £5 2s Gel ; travelling expenses, 10s; Balance at credit of general expense, £5 4s 9d; sacramental wine, £3; diocesan treasurer, £4l Os 2d; balance at credit of Melanesian mission, Ss; Sunday school treasurer, £5 18s 6d; total, £536 7s 7d. As churchwarden, he congratulated the parish on the flourishing state of its finances, lie had no doubt that the income this year would bo as great as last, and there had been several expenses during the year which would not have to be incurred again. Tire repairs in the church had been completed, and gave an additional thirty-six seats, most of which were already let. He explained the action taken with regard to the parsonage, and said that the vestry had resolved to ask the opinion of the meeting as to whether the land should be sold in small sections. Mr Alport had estimated the value of their property in Canterbury and Ripon streets at £1450. Two properties had been offered to the vestry for a new parsonage — one, that occupied by Mrs Murray, for £700; They had also an offer from Mr Hawkins for his house and land at £I2OO. They had resolved to leave the matter for the consideration of the parish meeting. The election of church officers was then proceeded with. Mr Lloyd nominated Mr W. L. Edge as his churchwarden. Mr W. E. Allwright proposed Mr T. A. W. Parsons as parishioners’ churchwarden; seconded by Mr Hillicr. Mr Boddington proposed Mr F. Ward ; seconded by Mr Ford. Mr H. Allwright proposed Mr H. J. V. Rogers; seconded by Mr Lance. A ballot was taken, which resulted in the election of Mr T. A. W. Parsons.

The meeting then proceeded to elect vestrymen, and Messrs Webb, F. Ward, H. J. Y. Rogers, A. B. W. Parsons, and Drs Rouse and Donald were duly appointed.

Messrs F. 11. Melville Walker and J. C. Boddington were elected auditors for the ensuing year.

The Rev Mr Lloyd called the attention of the meeting to the question of disposing of the parsonage site.

Mr 1L N. N'.dder moved—“ That the matter be referred to the vestry, and that a special meeting be called by them to consider the matter at a future date.

Mr Alhvright said there appeared to be a debt of £SO, and thought it should be cleared oh' at once, offering to subscribe a portion. The matter, after discussion, dropped. Dr Rouse announced that Dr Donald, Messrs H. R. Webb and H. N. Nalder, had been elected synodsmen. The meeting then adjourned.