Patea Church Meeting.

Patea Mail, 12 August 1880, Page 2

Patea Church Meeting.

The animal meeting 1 of members of the Church of England at Patea was held on Tuesday evening, in the Court House. Present, Rev. Mr Dasent, Captain Wray, Dr Keating, Messrs,Taplin. Hurst, Christie, li. Horner, Baddeley, Baldwin, Hamcrton, E. Horner, and Baggett.

The statement of accounts prepared by the churchwarden showed that the payment of stipend is more than a year in arrear, the amount now due being £217 12s. The out-districts had contributed during the year thus : —Kakaramea, £3 3s ; Waitotara,£l4 13s 3d ; Wavcrley, £lO 5s ; Wailii, £3 ; Hawera, £ll ; total, £42. The balance of the year’s contributions had been paid by the Patea district. The minster’s stipend is nominally £2OO. The interest on the parsonage fund is 24 years in arrear, amounting at £l6 a-j'car to £4O. Mr S. Taplin proposed “ That this meeting considers that the iinancial condition of the parish is unsatisfactory, and that a committee of five members of the congregation should be appointed to investigate why this is so, also to recommend what steps should be taken to improve its condition ; their written report to be laid before a meeting of members of the congregatior fon approval or otherwise, a meeting to bo held this day four weeks, 7th Sept., after which the report be forwarded to the bishop of the diocese for his consideration.” Mr Taplin spoke strongly of the necessity of having the interests of the parish looked after in a more eifactual manner, by officers who would do the work they undertook to do. Having opened this question, he was now determined to carry it to an issue. There was no denying the fact, which all must deplore, that the church was getting into a worse condition every year ; that instead of improving it was going back. Someone must be answerable for this state of things, and the blame ought to be put on the right shoulders. In order that a remedy might be found, he proposed a committee of inquiry.

Mr R. Horner seconded the motion, aiid agreed that the position of the church in this district is very unsatisfactory. A discussion ensued, in which some warm remarks passed. The motion was ultimately adopted. Mr E. Horner proposed, Mr Christie seconded, and the meeting agreed “ That the'following gentlemen form a committee to investigate : —Captain Wraj 7 , Mr Teunent, Mr R, Horner, and Mr Taplin.” Rev. Mr Dasent again nominated Mr 11. Horner as churchwarden.

The meeting appointed Mr Hamerton as parishioners’ warden. Resolved, on the motion of Mr Taplin, seconded by Mr Christie, that Messrs W. Dale and Tennent be appointed mcmbcis of tuc vestry, subject to tlieh m/p.m-ni.

Letter read from Mr Brown, Kakaramea, asking for some allowance for tiio use of bis organ. A reply was ordered to be sent expressing regret that the vestry are unable at present to comply with the request.