ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8137, 20 June 1906, Page 2

ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

Only lifty-threc peoplo attended the i meeting of St. Mary's congregation, held on Tuesday evening, to consider tho appointment of an assistant elargyman, and the proposals for tlio enlargement of tho church. Bev. P. G. Kvnns, the Vicar, occupied tlie chair, ;iud opened the meeting.

AI'I'OINTMKNT OF A CURATE. Mr il. Bodtord, on behalf ot the committee appointed to canvass for support for a ourate to assist in the ivork of the parish, reported: that £157 had been promised, £6O of which was ilready paid. Additional' subscriptions to the amoumt of £2O would be forthcoming from the "envelope" system, and of the whole the committeo considered £l2O per annum would be permanent. Speaking to the report, Mr Bedford stated the estimated receipts for the year amounted to £llß4, and tho expenditure £1175, leaving a very narrow margin of oredit. The chairman announced that he had offered the position of curate to'an Australian clergyman, who would probably arrive here very shortly.

BNLABOBH'KMT OF ST. MABV's. Mr J. S. MoKellar read a statement of tho Govett Memorial Fund, showing that there was £693 lis 3d in hand. A letter was read from Mr Mountfort, the architect, who had'prepared the plans for the enlargement of the church, dealing with a suggestion made by Archdeacon Walsh to reduce the length of tho proposed building by starting the transepts 12 feet further westward than proposed by the architect, by cutting into the present build-j ing. Mr Mountfort was decidedly! against the proposal on all points. He reoommended that at present the congregation should erect the permanent chancel and transepts at a cost of £2300, in preference to spending only £IOOO, leaying the sanctuary to be built of wood. This plan would give increased seating accommodation for 266 adults, or a total seating roam for 630 adults.

Mr C. W. Goyctt said he had asked Mr Mountfortto give full consideration to the suggestions of Archdeacon Walsh, for the reason that the latter was a warm lover of St. Mary's. But the suggested plan involved expense without commensurate advantages. He was in favour of adopting Mr Mountfort's idea to complete the oharicel and transepts, placing the windows in their permanent position, leaving the erection of organ chambor and vestry till absolutely required. Mr Hume suggested adding to the £2300 about £l5O for moving the organ.

Mr Brooking : Better call it £3OOO. Mr Cook said that, although at first opposed to the enlargement proposals, ho had voted for them simply because of the yory handsome promise of Mr Clement Govett that the family would raise ,£6OO towards the cost, '.there was no need no* for the enlargement, nor was there likely to be for some years yet, as the church was never half filled on Sunday mornings, and never overflowing at night. lie suggested that a tower and peal of bells would be a fitting momonal, and moro within the moans of tho congre-j'.l-nn.

Mr Govett moved that the Vestry bo empoworcd to proceed with the enlargement on Mr Mountfort's modi flea plan, suggesting that any further delay might moan tho withdrawal ol the promise of £6OO from his family. He differed from Mr Cook as to the necessity for tho work, and stated that inoreased accommodation would mean larger congregations, larger offortories, and more freo seats. Mr W. D. Webstor seconded, and thought there would be no difficulty in raising tho .noncy. Mr It. C. Hughos thought the enlargement was necossary, the plans satisfactory, and the funds available. He considered they should immediately proceed with tho erection of a memorial. and " erect a handsome addition to our line old churoh." I

Mr Mallctt said the vestry appeared to huve enough to do now, without any extra burden

Lfr C. E. Baker admitted tho desirability, but doubted the necessity for the alteration, stating it was a fine thing for a church to pay its way. The total cost of this enlargement, with moving tho organ and providing extra seating, would be nearly £3OOO. Could the interest on this be raised ? Why, even now the church fuud was in debt, and the new clergyman's stipend and this enlargement would add £2OO a year to their indebtedness. Under these ciroumstanccs he opposed the motion.

Mr W. D. Webster offered another £lO himself. (Applause). Mr Hughes drew an alluring picture of the crowded building " when oil is struck," and apart from that the town was bound to prosper. Major Coleman warned the vestry not to expect any £26 from Moturoa this year. Mr Brooking was '• half inclined to think this was more than we can manage "

Mr Stanloy Shaw, remembering what the late Archdeacon Govott hail don< for the church, 11Aw* he' had givi'p money freely, spoil money, and lmv his whole life had been wr/ipt in the church, would vote for the extension, notwithstanding tint his business instincts told him d-bt was a bad thing. The same instincts "told him, however, that it was a bad thing to turn away money, and be "would like to secure the £6OO offered by the Govctt family. He felt strongly the necessity for mori free seats in the church, as he knew people stayed away because they had no seats of the r own and were not desu'ious of intruding on other people's In other words they thought they were not welcome.

Mr W. H. Skinner bore out these remarks, and pointed out that the mere callini? of tenders would not bind them to the acceptance of the tenders. Mr Govett considered that assistnnce would come in regularly when the work was onco started, and this would reduco the interest account. He wanted to drive homo this fact: St. Mary's Church had always been built in times of depression. The first portion was built in the early days whon settlers hardly knew where to turn for money: then came the war time, with its misery and depression, whon the largest addition of all was made. Thirteen yoars ago, " whon butter was down to nowhere," another addition was carried out; and now, in another slightly depressed time, wore they going to bo afraid? Tlio motion was oarried, on condition that the matter of accepting tenders be placed before a further meeting. Proceedings closed with tho Bonediction pronounced by tho Vicar.