CHURCH MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2296, 12 August 1881, Page 3

CHURCH MEETING AT ASHBURTON.

Yesterday afternoon a general meeting of Churchmen in the parish of Ashburton and the parochial district of Longbeaoh and Mount Somers, was held in the Library Hall, Ashburton, to consider the ailrisablenets or otherwise of a division of the pariah. The Eev. A. W. Hands, incumbent, occupied the chair. Eighteen gentlemen were present.—A letter was read from Mr John Grigg, Longbeaoh, intimating regret at inability to attend the meeting, and expressing a hope that a curate would be appointed to reside at Tinwald, that there would be a vestry nominated by the Bishop for Longbeach and Mount Somers, and that those districts would provide means for Church work and payment of liabilities within those districts ; also that the present financial position be placed in writing before the Bishop, and that ho appoint an arbitrator to apportion the assets and liabilities of each district. —A letter, jointly signed by Messrs W. O. Walker, I. B. Taylor, A. B. Peache, end L. E. Orosbie (all of Mount Somers) was read, apologising for absence from the parish meeting called to consider the separation of the parish and parochial district, and expressing their opinion that, so far as the parochial district was concerned, the writers saw no reason why the i parish should not be separated if it so desired.—Dr, Trevor proposed, and Mr W. > H. Qundry seconded, a resolution—“ That 1 this meeting approves of the proposal made 1 by the churchwardens and vestry for dividing 1 the parish and the parochial district.” —The 1 rev. .Chairman commented on the necessity J which existed for having an additional clergyman. This might bo arranged by either i separation or an . amicable arrangement. The i latter, though desirable and to be preferred, t if feasible, appeared to be much more difficult than separation; and it might fairly be ■ assumed that the easier alternative would be ! supported. In any event, the chairman J hoped a conclusion would be arrived at ' before next Synod.—Expressions of opinion ' were given by Messrs J. Ward, Charles T Martin, Thomas Bullock, W. B. Boyle, W. i H. Gundry and O. P. Cox.—An amendment t was proposed by Mr Martin, and seconded

pro forma by Mr Cuthbert, “That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is very desirable not to separate the district, but that a curate should be obtained to assist the incumbent in bis ministerial duties.”—Mr Geo. Jameson stated it to be his opinion that the churchwardens generally would not give in their adhesion to the terms of the proposed amendment, and that he, for his part, would strongly oppose it.—The amendment was put and lost, three voting for it, and nine against. The resolution was carried, nine voting for it, and throe against.—The boundaries, as proposed for the town parish by the vestry, are as follows On the south by the River Ashburton, on the east by Cochrane’s road, on the north by Seafield and the Racecourse road to its junction with the river at Digby’s.—A proposal by Mr Boyle, seconded by Dr. Trevor, was carried,constituting the following as the boundaries :—The sea, the River Ashburton, Ohertsey road, and the line from Digby’s bridge parallel to the railway line meeting Chertaey road." This was carried, nine voting for it and four against.—lt was proposed by Mr H. T. Winter, seconded by Mr Bullock, and carried, “ That the churchwardens take such stops as may be necessary for carrying out the division of the parish,” This was carried without a dissentient voice, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.