ST. STEPHEN’S, ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1695, 26 July 1879, Page 2

ST. STEPHEN’S, ASHBURTON.

A meeting wag held at the Town Hall, Ashburton, on Wednesday night, to consider the financial position of the parish. The attendance was large, the Rev. Mr Paige occupying the chair. The chairman said it was no wonder the parish was in difficulties, considering the financial difficulties of the district, and deprecated the action taken by the local morning paper in publishing a local on the matter, and stating that the Masons had been the first to complain of the cross in the church. This was untrue, and he as a member of that body called on all Masons present to express themselves unreservedly. [[Cheers.] Mr Rooks, churchwarden, made a statement of liabilities, from which it appeared some £384 7s lOd was immediately required. This included a large sum for clergyman’s stipend in arrears. Taking the whole receipts and expenditure he estimated a deficit of £412 at the end of the year. The to dry proposed that a sum of £4OO should be raised. Mr Guodrj|propcssd—“ That the sum of £450 be raised by debentures of £lO each, tciring interest at 10 per cent, per annum, redeemable in two and three years.” It was moved—“ That the parishioners be requested to take debentures as proposed by the vestry,” hut this was withdrawn as, on going round the room, Mr Bullock only fonnd three gentlemen willing to take debentures, and those only on condition that twenty were taken. The resolution was then withdrawn by Mr O. Reed, the mover. Mr Cambridge then moved—“ That the incumbent be requested to remove the large gilt cross from above the communion (able, in order to ensure harmony in the parish.” He spoke at some length upon this point.” Mr Poyntz seconded the resolution. Mr 0. P. Cox opposed the resolution, and moved as an amendment, “ That, inasmuch as the cross was erected when the church was opened, it therefore has been part of the church since then, and it is inexpedient to raise the question of its being removed.” Dr. Trevor seconded the amendment. After a long discussion the amendment was carried, twentysix voting for and twenty against it. A number of debentures were taken up in the room, and a vote of thanks having been passed to Mr Rooks for his able financial statement, and to the chairman for presiding, the meeting adjourned.