ST. JOHN’S PARISH MEETING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1384, 23 July 1878, Page 2

ST. JOHN’S PARISH MEETING.

A meeting of the parishioners of St. John’s ■was held last night in the schoolroom at 7.30. About forty parishioners wore present. The Incumbent occupied the chair, and opened the meeting with prayer. In introducing the business of the evening to the meeting lie regretted that a paragraph had appeared in one of the daily papers which was calculated to mislead. The purpose of the meeting was a very simple one, and would not involve the expenditure of more than a few pounds. Every report that had been presented at the annual meetings for some years past had regretted the want of accommodation in the Church, and it was evident to (he regular attendants at St. John’s that the church was always full, sometimes inconveniently so. On the churchwardens’ boots were between forty and fifty applicants for seats, and quite as many more had made verbal applications. There was scarcely a family that was not inconvenienced by the want of scats, Ilia own had been without regular siftings for three or four years. If additional accommodation was given a better and more generous arrangement of the free seats could bo male, they could occupy a more central position in (he church. The school was inconveniently crowded, a large number of the scholars having (o bo sent (o the church and parsonage to bo taught. A new schoolroom was absolutely needed. The letting of the school site had been suggested by a parishioner, and on application to the standing committee permission (o lease? had been given. It had been estimated that a largo sum, £3OOO or £IOOO, could be borrowed on the leasehold of tins site, and that a sinking fund could bo established, which would liquidate the loan wi.liin a limited number of years. Nothing, however, of a definite nature eoulct be got at until estimates had become facta. It was, therefore, resolved by (he vestry to call a meeting of the parishioners to give tho necessary authority and impetus. Tbo business of the mooting

would be brought before them in a carefully prepared resolution, to which those who desired to speak could address themselves. Mr Cuff then moved—“ That the action of the vestry in reference to the leasing of the school site be approved, and that they bo requested to take steps to lease the same.” Seconded by Mr Collins. A long discussion ensued upon this resolution, and upon several amendments suggested by Mr Hamilton, in which Messrs Cuff, Twentyman, Hobday, Hargreaves, Tombs, Johnston, and others took part. Finally, after much animated discussion, Mr Hamilton’s amendment, which was seconded by Mr Ponsford, was rejected by an overwhelming majority, only three hands being held up in favor of it, and the original resolution was carried Mr Cuff then moved—" That the vestry be requested to bring up a report to a future meeting, showing plans for providing increased church and school accommodation, together with an estimate of cost, and probable contributions towards the same.

This resolution was seconded by Mr Collins and carried.

It was then moved by Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Hamilton and carried — “ That the site, subject to the approval of the Church Property Trustees, he lot on the principle adopted by the Dunedin Corporation, for twenty-one years, and that the letting bo by public auction or tender. The meeting then dispersed.