ST. PAUL’S CHURCH PAPANUI.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2516, 2 May 1882, Page 4

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH PAPANUI.

Last evening the adjourned annual meeting of parishioners was held in the schoolroom ; the Rev. F. G. Brittsn, incumbent, presiding. About sixteen gentlemen were present. The Chairman stated that during the past year there had been 40 baptisms, 20 burials and 6 marriages. At the beginning of last year 21 had been confirmed, and 16 candidates would bo presented next Sunday. The number of communicants had been 108. Each of these items showed a slight numerical increase as compared with the previous year. In view of tho rapid increase of the population of Papanui it might be a question if the seating accommodation should not be increased; The parish might also bo subdivided, its present extent being as great as that of some English counties. Tho parish had been formed in the early days, and laid out as was thou usual on a largo scale, very few clergymen having been then available, and for very scattered congregation*. A debt remained on the church, and would it was hoped be reduced this year, two origj'throe years having now elapsed since the bazaar, which had paid off a good deal, and since direct subscriptions had effected a substantial reduction. The Sunday school building, dating (as it might be said) from the very landing of the Pilgrims, stood much in need of repairs. About 100 children met each Sunday, and the number might possibly be augmented it better accommodation were provided. [Hear, hear.] Hearty thanks were due to the church officers, tho Sunday school teachers, and tho members of the choir. This was the ninth year of his appearing before the parishioners. The delay in the tabling of the report and balance-sheet bad arisen through the illness of the clergyman’s warden, Mr William Norman. The chairman concluded by laying the Sunday school statement of accounts on the table for inspection. Mr Charles Jennings, outgoing people’s churchwarden, read the .report and balancesheet, showing as follows :—Receipts, £527 17s; expenditure. £472 0s 2d; balance in hand, £55 16s lOd; amounts due 31st March, 1882, £45 17s 9d; liabilities, £135 Is sd; deficiency, £33 6s lOd. In reply to Mr H. H. Paul, Mr Jennings stated that tho exact liabilities of the parish, including loans, were £B9l 11s lOd. The offertories bad been nearly £2O less this year than last.

In reply to a question, Mr Geo. Harper stated that the Cemetery grounds were virtually closed by Act, but the provisions were not in force, the new ground not being yet available.

The Eov. P. Snowies wrote, in regard to money paid some years ago to the Church Property Trustees, that the question of a refund could not be entertained, but a concession would be made of interest, retrospectively and prospectively, amounting to £23. Mr Geo. Dunnage, in proposing the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, took occasion to refer to the small amounts of the offertories as compared with increase of population. The musical portion of the service, taken altogether, he thought not up to the mark.

The proposal, seconded by Mr 0. J, Wilkins, was carried.

Mr Dunnage said he thought the parish too largo. A curate should be appointed or a subdivision made, taking in, say, Harewood road, the North road, and a portion of Kaiapoi Island, Mr Harper concurred. It had become impossible for one clergyman to attend to three churches, to say nothing of his visiting the people. It had, therefore, been necessary to put up with what might perhaps be termed “mutilated ” services.

The Chairman, in reply to questions, said the matter of a separation or subdivision would have to come before the Synod, and the consent of the parish would be necessary. In regard to the financial difficulty proving a barrier against sub-division, Mr Harper said it was not unusual to allow the newlyformed parish, if free from local liabilities, to go free of debt. He believed the North road was free.

Mr Cochran said ho thought the residents there were favorable to the proposal. Ultimately the proposal, embodied in the form of a motion, was carried, on Mr Dunnage’s suggestion, seconded by Mr Harper —“ That the incoming vestry be recommended to take ouch steps as may be necessary for tho creation of a new parish out of the existing Papanui parish.” On Mr Godfrey’s motion, seconded by Mr Bldred, it was resolved—“ That the incoming churchwardens receive instructions to allot every fourth seat in the church to be free.” Mr Harper said he thought a new Sunday school should be built on the Church property beyond the railway, being a wholesome site and gonerolly convenient. Tho Chairman acquiesced in the necessity for a new school. The site proposed was at present let for cricketing purposes atj£l6 a-year.

Mr Hancock said he thought no opposition need be anticipated from the lessees. On Mr Harper’s motion, seconded by Mr Paul, it was agreed :—“ That steps be taken to erect a new school on the cricket paddock,”

In the course of some conversation touching certain gaps having arisen in the choir, Mr Paul mentioned that the gaps usually occurred through members of the choir getting married. [Laughter.] The following were elected for the ensuing year :—Minister’s churchwarden, Mr Norman ; people’s churchwarden, Mr Paul ; vestrymen, Messrs O. J. Wilkins, Qodfny, Johns, Wilson, Thomas Stanley, Nunweek, Thomas, Merson, Homer, and James Jackson. Mr Norman’s nomination, being made in his absence, web subject to hia approval. Votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing churchwardens and vestry, and the appointment of Mr May as auditor of the church accounts concluded the proceedings.