THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Kumara Times, Issue 2650, 5 March 1885, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

[to the editor] Sir — l think it is only fair that “ Subscriber,” of Hokitika, should be answered now that the Presbyterian congregational meeting was held last night. The financial report and balance sheet were read, hut the moneys collected by Mr Holmes, at Hokitika, in connection with the above were never mentioned, although “Subscription Sheet ” promised that the subscribers and subscriptions would be produced. At length the question was asked; and Mr Campbell in reply said that he and Mr Nicholson had been deputed to collect moneys at Hokitika, they had made one trip, and then authorised Holmes, the tentmaker, to go down. There was not the slightest mention made in the report what they had collected; but Mr Holmes, the tentmaker, had collected about .£ll. It cost about £3 to obtain this sum, so that they realised £8 clear. So you see there is a vast difference between £ll, and “£6O or £70.” The subscribers’ names were not produced as promised. 1 may also state for the information of “ Subscriber,” who takes an interest in our church matters, that a protest was lodged against the illegality and irregularity of the whole meeting, and the matter will be laid before the Presbytery. There were a number of us who have been dissatisfied for some time, and who keep aloof from the church, that went to hear the congregational statements and judge for ourselves; but, fancy our surprise, when we found that the majority of those present were composed of youths and adults belonging to other denominations (present by invitation), and who had the impudent effrontery to hold up their hands and vote for several resolutions that were put to the meeting. Of course you can see the drift of their being there. On my wishing to point out the responsibility and unfairness of those who were voting to a resolution in favor of asking Mr Hay to retain the pastoral chair, Mr Campbell howled down what I had to say, by asking the organist and fiddler to strike up a tune. As this may give rise to some correspondence on the subject, and we can ventilate information through the press, without being “ burked,” I shall conclude by informing “ Subscriber ” that there are many amongst us here in Kumara that were proud of being Presbyterians; but lately, and especially after last night’s proceedings, blush to own the name.—Yours, &c., John White, Dillman’s, March 5, 1885.