FREE CHURCH SEATS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 277, 15 April 1913, Page 8

FREE CHURCH SEATS.

AND NO PEW RENT.

. DISCUSSION AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

At the general meeting of parishioners last night the matter of abolishing pew rents in St. Mary's Church took a prominent place, and' much interest was attached to the discussion. The ReV. Colvile opened the ball by asking Mr. H. Fookes to move a resolution embodying a proposal for abolishing pew rents. Mr. Fookes said that as a retiring warden, and one who had no seat on the Vestry, he approached the matter with some diffidence. He felt that he need say little after the recent lucid sermon rendered on the subject by the Rev. Colvile. The church could never be really a church for the people until it was absolutely and wholly free to the people. To this end it-was proposed to

declare all seats free in the evening service alone, as from October 1 next. Strangers had not in all cases had the welcome they could rightly expect from the pew-holders. The revenue from pew rent was now from £220 to £230 per annum. If the proposal were carried into effect, pew rents would be reduced by one half as from October 1, and to recoup the Vestry in the consequent loss of revenue they must look to the extension of contributions by the envelope system. He hoped the congregation would respond in this direction. The move was right in principle, and he thought the sacrifice should be willingly made by pew-renters. He moved that the seats in St. Mary's Church be free during Sunday evening services as from October 1 next, and that pew rents be reduced by half from that date. Mr. Paton seconded the motion. He said the movement had the support of the Vicar and the Bishop. There were only 14 churches in the Auckland diocese which rented seats. I

The Vicar gave the motion his hearty support. Free seats would be, he said, a great factor in the attraction of the visitors who now constantly passed through the town. Several others spoke in favor of the movement.

Mr. C. E. Baker moved, as an amendment, that all seats be free at all times. He did not believe in half measures.

Replying to a question, the chairman ruled that ladies could not vote, but that each man in the building was entitled to vote.

Mr. Shaw said the canons of the church forbade a man to vote unless he had signed the Churchwardens' Book, but the Vicar stuck to his ruling. Mr. Fookes, with Air. Paton's ruling, withdrew his motion in favor of Mr. Paton's amendment, and asked for a continuance of contributions equivalent to the amount:of pew rent. Mr. Rolnnson moved as an amendment that seats should be declared free, as an experiment, from October 1. but that pew-holders should still pay their rent. In the face of the present indebtedness of the church and the contingent liabilities in respect of repairs to floor and seats, which might amount to £lfiO, ho was not satisfied that they could a (lord to forego pew rents on the prospect of fluctuating subscriptions by the envelope system. Mr. Shaw seconded the amendment.

Open discussion then took place, and several present urged that a church as financially strong as St. Mary's could well afford to provide a church at all times free to nil coiners.

Mr. Randford said he was sure no one would willingly oust from their own seats those who by long use had a possessive right to pertain seats, hut .that all seats ought to be absolutely free. The amendment was lost, anil the motion providing free seats carried on the voices amidst great applause.