ST. LUKE'S PARISH MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2149, 14 January 1881, Page 3

ST. LUKE'S PARISH MEETING.

A meeting of the parishioners of St. Luke the Evangelist was held in the parish schoolroom last evening at 7.30. The attendance was moderate, and the inonmbent of the parish (Rev. E. A. liingard) occupied the chair. The Chairman called attention to the alterations made by the last Diocesan Synod, rendering it imperative that all parishioners must be registered in the churchwardens books at least two months, before they could vote at any parish meeting. He would, therefore, ask that all qualified parishioners would register at leaßt two months before the Easter meeting. The present meeting was called to consider the continuance of the services of the assistant curate after next Easter. At a recent meeting of the vestry, it was thought advisable to submit the question to the parishioners. The Bev. Mr Mortimer was chosen for two years, and ho was now in receipt of a stipend of £250 a year, £SO being voted by the Church Property Trust Fund, and the balance contributed by the parish. It was impossible to dispense with the assistant curate, unless St. Matthew's was formed into a separate parochial distriot, and the vestry wished to know the mind of the parish in the matter. The question was asked if the chairman thought a sufficient guarantee would be obtained for the purpose. The Chairman said that the object was to recommend the vestry to provide the stipend. Mr Mortimer's engagement having terminated it was necessary to enter into a fresh one. There was no financial difficulty, but the vestry wanted an expression of opinion from the parish on so weighty a matter. On the motion of Mr E. Strange, seoonded by Mr A. Rose, it was resolved —" That an assistant curate for the parish be retained, at an annual stipend of £2OO, exclusive of the grant from the Church Property Trustees." Mr Dixey spoke in favourable terms of Mr Mortimer, and wished it known to the Bishop that his services were highly esteemed in St. Matthew's parochial district. The Chairman said he would acquaint the Bishop with this feeling. He was happy to say that they worked harmoniously together, and he hoped that the services of Mr Mortimer would long be retained by the parish. He wished to add that it was intended to enlarge St. Matthew's Church. The cost of doing so was estimated at £l3O, whioh they hoped to obtain on loan from the Church Property Trustees. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.