ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH, PLEASANT POINT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2994, 30 October 1882, Page 2

ST. ALBAN’S CHURCH, PLEASANT POINT.

A meeting of the Committee of this Church was held on Saturday afternoon last, to receive from Colonel Eichbaum a report of the proceedings in the Diocesan Synod with reference to the formation of the Pleasant Point and Albnry districts into a parochial district; and also to receive from the Incumbent of Temuka an important communication from the Lord Bishop of the Diocese in connection therewith. The chair was taken by the Eev J. Chaffers Welsh. Colonel Eichbaum stated that he had moved a resolution in the Synod to the effect that the petition of the parishioners to be separated from the parish of Temuka and formed into a parochial district be granted. _ He then read the sense of the speech introducing his motion, made at the Synod. “ My Lord, —In moving the resolution standing in my name, I wish to state the special cause which leads me to assume charge of the question involved. I have the honor to be of the representatives of the Parish of Timaru, but am a resident of Pleasant Point, and take a deep personal interest in tho future religious

ministrations to amongst whom, after a' very active life a 1! over the world, I havo cast my lot. I have had-a prominent share in the stops adopted to bring the question before your L -rdship aiid the Standing Committee. 1 on ler. stand the formation of the {tropes- d new district Ins been frequently considered by those interested, and it has now become a matter of great importance : First, owing to the manner in which the population of the several neighborhoods is increasing, and will continue to increase; second, to the difficulty experienced by the present incumbent in giving that attention to his wide and scattered parish he so much desires ; and third, if the Church of England does not occupy her proper position in that portion of the diocese there is some danger of her losing ground in many ways, unnecessary hereto dwell upon. I wish also to state that the Rev ChaffersWelsh gives as great a portion of his time to Pleasant Point, as is consistent with his duty to Temuka itself, and that his ministration affords the greatest satisfaction to the members of St, Alban’s, who regard and esteem him immensely, but the want is that of a clergyman, resident and working actively in our midst. This is clearly recognised by your Standing Committee, who have gone into the matter and satisfied themselves that the alteration is desirable, and have accordingly recommended it for your sanction. The formation of this proposed new district has a peculiar interest, inasmuch as it is a clear advance towards a future ministration of a more extensive character than is at present possible in the McKenzie Country and the remote south-western part of diocese. It seems to me there are no two opinions regarding this separation if it can be shown that the new district will afford the necessary stipend. The amounts that can ho reckoned on from the first are as follows Endowment, £6O ; rent for glebe, average, £2O ; Albury subscription, £SO; Pleasant Point neighborhood, subscription, £IOO ; total £230, while it is presumed the usual grants in aid will be made. I am authorised by my fellow parishioners to assure this Synod that if a resident clergyman is granted them every effort will be made to do all in their power for the future provision of the new district, which in time they hope may be formed into a parish governing itself. I have not considered it necessary to go into the details of the application, as they have been fully enquired into by your Standing Committee, and conclude my remarks by moving the resolution standing in my name.” Colonel Eichbaum then proceeded to state that the resolution was unanimously assented to by the Synod, and the boundaries suggested agreed to, with the substitution of the upper portion of the Pareora River as a southern boundary instead of an imaginary line, and he concluded his report by showing that, financially, the parochial district bad very fair prospects. The Chairman stated that the Bishop, with whom the appointment of a minister to fho new cure rests, had requested him to take charge of the now district. He felt considerable regret at ‘the thought of leaving Temuka, but he had placed himself in the Bishop’s hands, and believed that it would be easier to obtain a suitable clergyman for the parent parish than for the nowand untried district. He then informed the Committee that the Bishop had decided that the cure should he designated the “Parochial District of Te-jPTgawai.” The Chairman concluded his remarks by regretting the hurried manner in which the meeting had been convened, but as he had to meet the Albury parishioners and give an early reply to the Bishop, it could not be avoided.

Mr Acton then proposed and Mr Gaze seconded the following resolution, which was carried unanimously—“ That this meeting regards with the greatest satisfaction the prospect of obtaining the services of the Rev. J, ChaffersWelshforthe parochial district of Te Ngawai.”

It was then further resolved—“ That the Chairman be requested to place in the hands of the members of the church at Albury the resolution previously passed, and to state that the members of St. Alban’s Church, Pleasant Point, are anxious to obtain the concurrence and cordial help of the Church members at Albury.” It was also decided to call a general meeting of parishioners for Wednesday evening, November 1, to lay the whole matter fully before them, and to consider what steps should be taken to carry out he scheme, which so far has met with success.

Mr Gaze proposed, and Mr Halstead seconded, that sincere thanks are due to Colonel Eichbaum for bis exertions in Synod in obtaining the wishes of the parishioners, and the proposal was carried unanimously. , Colonel Eichbaum replied, and the meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.