MEETING OF PARISHIONERS OF ST. PETER’S CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5339, 8 May 1878, Page 3

MEETING OF PARISHIONERS OF ST. PETER’S CHURCH.

A meeting of the parishioners of St . ' 1 Church was held last night in the church, for the purpose of ascertaining the desirability of raising a loan of £IOOO for building a new church. . , The Venerable Archdeacon STOCK occupied the chair, and there were fourteen parishioners were present. After explaining the objectof the meetingthe Archdeaconsaidthatsome twoyears a«m there was a strong feeling amongst many members of the congregation that increased accommodation was required. Some there Were, however, who thought differently, and considered any alteration unnecessary. One thing was very clear, which must be acknowledged by all, they had hot sufficient sitting room, and many had left the church in consequence. Two'years ago a commencement was made to raise money for .this purpose, and a large, sum was raised. There was now in hand ahout£2soo, and designs for a new church have been called, at a probable cost of £6000; but with extras the amount would be £6OO more., He, however, did hot speak with certainty on this point, but he believed that to be about the amount. The sum of money,to be borrowed woukpbe £IOOO.- The speaker thought that if the money was borrowed there would bo no great difficulty in paying the interest, as their revenue was so large. He would say no more, as he was desirous of hearing those present express their views.. ; - Mr. Rocs-Maeten, one of the churchwardens, said that in addition to the fixed stipend there were certain special expenses, amounting in all to £250, which would not be required: to be spent in the new church; but notwithstanding those extra expenses they could depend on a clear surplus of £2OO, and if there was more sitting accommodation he had no doubt in his mind but that the amount would be, doubled. They had in hand ,£2500 for building a new church. The total cost of the new church was not to exceed £6OOO, and a sub-committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements with, regard to obtaining designs; but he (Mr. Marten) thought that the architects had sadly misunderstood the committee, as none of the plans submitted to them could be built for the stated sum. There was £3OOO, or about that sum, in hand, but they would still want £4OOO more. : Mr. Marten then moved, —That tha sumet £4OOO be borrowed for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Church. Mr. Dinsntrav, in seconding the resolution, said that he thought there might perhaps be some difficulty and objection in raising the amount of money necessary for rebuilding the church. At the same time he thought there would be no difficulty in raising the necessary amount of money for interest. ■Mr. E. W. Mobbah said it might or it might not be lawful for the parishioners to become. liable for the amount of; money required. He thought they were sure to be met by some objections. He would like to know how the money was’to .be raised. He need not tell them that they had no security to give to the lender. The only way he saw put of the difficulty was for some friend to lend the money. He himself was very doubtful as to the desirability of borrowing so much money. If, however, money was raised he did hot think that the whole of the cost should be borne by the present generation.. Mr, Dransfield coincided with :the remarks of Mr. Morrah. He, however,' thought there should be no difficulty in raising money on debentures. It did not appear to him to be a question of law as to whether they could borrow the money, but more a matter ■ of good faith amongst themselves.

Mr. Pearce could not support the resolution. He considered the amount proposed to be borrowed was out of all proportion to the money they could raise. He would not like to see a church built with such a large debt resting on it. No one was more willing to have a good church than himself, but he thought they should take time, and wait until they had more funds at their disposal. Mr. Robert Hunter did not believe in jeopardising the incumbent stipend, and could not support the resolution. Mr. Edward'Dixon was very much surprised at seeing so few present at the meeting, and he considered they would not be justified in passing a resolution to borrow so much money when there were so few present. Mr. George thought the meeting should be postponed for a month. Mr. Marten did ,not think postponing the meeting to a future date would do any good. He considered the present meeting large for St. Peter’s.

. Mr. George moved as an amendment, and Mr. Wallace seconded, —That this* meeting be postponed for a mouth in order to allow the finance and building committees to report as to the best means of proceeding, with the building of the church. . Mr. Marten,then withdrew his motion, and the amendment was carried. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.