KAIAPOI PARISH MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1702, 4 August 1879, Page 4

KAIAPOI PARISH MEETING.

A meeting of church members was held in the Sunday schoolroom on Friday evening. There wcro about, thirty persons present. Eev. D. O. Hampton, curate in charge, occupied the chair. Tho Chairman said the meeting had been called to dUeuss the emergencies of the palish, and the question as to whether the ministrations could bo continued was seriously pressing on them. They ought to consider the matters to be brought forward calmly_ and dispassionately, with a view to suggesting a remedy. Orher parishes were in a very similar position, in consequence of the commercial depression, but still it was well known that, as a parish, it had not exerted itself so ■well of late as it might have done. Having called attention to the vital importance of the question, ht) would now place it in thehands of those present, to. deal with to the best of their judgment. Mr E. Eivcll as treasurer to the vestry, read a statement of receipts and liabilities, showing the deficit to the present to be £lOl ss. At a former meeting it had been agreed to defer the cors'deration of tl o quo. tion of pew rents, in the hope that more liberal efforts would be made to avoid the necessity for the rents to make up the Church's expenses. It was found, howovor, that the offertoriar) were tho same in amount now as they had been for years pa9t, and, mueb oa he opposed the system of rents, he would prefer their adoption to seeiDg the church . losed. Ha observed that it had been asserted that if a minister was appointed, mors liberal donations would be made. This had not, however, been realised, although the paesent chairman had remained in the parish over tho six months.

Mr Montague H. Smith asked if a six months' guarantee had not been given for the stipend, and whether any attempt had been made to canvass the members.

Mr Bevell replied he did not consider it formed part of the duties of the wardens to collect subscriptions. They should be handed in without the necessity of a collector. Mr J. 3?. Nettleton desired to know if the nominators had agreed to appoint a clergyman, because the question of giving, with eome, might depend on the appointment made. Mr Bevell said three of them had agreed, but they did not represent the majority. Mr O. O. Howard thought if the wardens did not think it their place to canvass for subscriptions a paid collector might bo engaged, or voluntary collectors induced to eome forward. He understood a system managed by voluntary canvassers had met vrith great success at Timaru. Mr C. Whitefoord considered this a matter which might well bo discussed, as that was the intention for which the meeting was called, and if Mr Howard would propose such a plan, ho would second it. "While opposed to seat rents, if they could bo done 'without, and the employment of a paid collector, for one he was prepared to join a band of volunteer collectors, whoso duties Blight be of permanent service to the parish, even after the debts existing were disbursed. Mr L. G-. Cox pointed out that in Woodend parish the wardens collected sums of 5a and 10s from the guarantors, either in monthly or quarterly payments. Mr Howard moved—" That the parish be divided into districts, and that ladies and fentlemen bo asked to assist in a house to ouse canvass for periodical subscriptions to pay tho church expenses." Mr Whitafoord seconded the motion, which was oarried unanimously. The Chairman congratulated the meeting on having passed tho resolution, and trusted the question of seat rentß noed not be discussed. Ho •was, however, of opinion that there were cases in which tho vestry might exercise its power to allot seats, such to be given, however, if not occupied before the eervice commenced. "For his part, he might say that the contribution from the parsonage would be £l2 12s a year towards the sum of £3OO which thoy required to raise each year. Mr C. E. Dudley submitted that by means of entertainments a good sum could be raised. An entertainment similar to that of Thursday would bring in £3O or £lO. Mr Howard said, if it wa3 acceptable, he could arrange to give such an entertainment as the one referred to about Michaelmas time. Mr Smith agreed to assist. After some discussion, Mr "Whitefoord moved, Mr Revell seconded —" That tho offer of Messsrs Howard and Smith be accepted with thanks."

Mr Woodford wss not prjpsred to vqrve to a theatrical entertainment for tho be:.. It of the Church. The motion was carried with one dissentient.

A committee of Messrs Whitefoord, Howard, and Neeve, Mesdamea Howard, Brown Hnrdey, Diully, Oldham, and Miss Cullise was formed, with power to add to their number, to canvass the parish for donations.

An irregular discussion on the seat rent question ensued, during which the wardens stated that pressure had been brought to bear on them to allot three or four seats. It was, however, the feoling of "the meeting that all tho seats should remain free. On the motion of Mr Bevell, seconded by Mr Smith, a vote of thanks was passed to tho chairman, and the proceedings were terminated with the Lord's prayer and benediction.