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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 963, 23 July 1881, Page 2

Tiie annual meeting of Parishioners of the Anglican Communion was held in the school-room, on Tuesday evening last, the Rev. Incumbent occupying the chair. Mr. W. R. Robinson, Parish Warden, read the report of the Vestry, together with the balance-sheet, and statement of accounts for the past year. These were both unanimously received and adopted. It was a matter for surprise that no discussion took place on them, and that nothing was suggested in the shape of ways and means to meet the arrears of liabilities which are, even excluding £122 Ils due to the Rev. Mr. Williams, something considerable. There has been plenty of outside talk, during the last few months, as to what was likely to be done at this meeting ; but when the time came, silence reigned. Five out of the seven of the retiring Vestrymen declined to be re-elected, owing it was suggested to the financial difficulties of the Parish, and the discouragement that awaited them in the performance of their duties. It is to be hoped that the new Vestry wiil make some practical suggestion by which, at any rate the clergyman’s stipend may be reduced, if not paid up in full. These things ought not to be so. It is simply a disgrace to one and all of the Church of England adherents in Gisborne, that they, by their actions, if not by their words, allow their church matters to drift into such a scandalous position. Their clergyman must live, as they, themselves, must live. He is, also, expected to pay his way, or suffer the

consequences; but the consequences reflect most on the congregation that permits such a state of things to exist. It should be remembered that, although the Incumbent has a right to look upon, his engagement as an ordinary business transaction, and expect that the obligation on one side will be requited by payment on the other ; still he is not in the position to be able to recover by process of law, even suppose that he were inclined to go to that extremity. There is no recognisable defendant; therefore, we thing that the very defencelessness of Mr. Williams’ position, ought to be a powerful plea in his favor. His positive inability to act, and only alternative being a re-

liance on a sense of justice actuating his flock, should take the form of a powerful advocacy in rendering unto Cjesar the things that are Cjesar’s. We hold strong opinions on this and kindred subjects. Above all we incline to a spirit of justice and fair play, insomuch as to express our astonishment that Mr. Williams, feeling, as he must, that he was quietly shunted by the outgoing Vestry, did not take the meeting into I his confidence, and demand that something tangible should be done to place himself right with the Parish. Had he done so, he would have, most unquestionably, met with an enlarged sympathy, and, probably, steps would have been taken to relieve him from the painful position in which he is placed. At present it is most equivocal; and we do trust that the infusion of new blood into the Vestry will result in relieving Holy Trinify Church from the unwarrantable impecuniosity for which it is remarkable.