ST. MARY’S SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1922, Page 5

ST. MARY’S SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

THE RE-BUILDING PROJECT. PARISH HALL TO BE BUILT. At a meeting of about thirty parishioners, ■presided over by the Rev. E. H. Strong; in St. Mary’s Hall last night, it was decided to proceed with the raising of funds for the erection of a new parish hall and Sunday school on the lines of plans already submitted. Mr. E. W. M. Lysons outlined the scheme. He said the reason why the meeting had been called was because the plans had been slightly altered., and it required to confirm that alteration. They would reckon on the sum of £2712 18s Bd, made up from accrued interest, donations and promises, and there was also £943 which was known to be available. The architect estimate ed the cost at £4OOO, but since that estimate the price of material bad fallen somewhat. Before the vestry were prepared to call tenders they felt that the money should be in sight. Moreover, there would be a further sum required for furniture, which was not included in the estimate. He then went on to deal with the question of finance, showing how the project could be worked. Allowing for a caretaker’s wags, rates, taxes, etc., the total outgoing costs would be about £235 per annum. Against thiti. the two halls could be let so as to bring in a revenue of £319 per annum. Therefore the erection of a new had should, be a 'paying proposition. As the proposal was intended for general purposes, a strong committee should be formed, who could take the burden of management to a great extent off the shoulders of the vestry. The hall, which would be capable of seating about 300 people, including the dress circle, would be placed to the west of the present building and would be connected to it. A larger stage than that of the Empire Theatre was provided for, with cloak and dressing rooms. Midway, space would be allowed for an up-to-date kitchen. One question deserved their careful consideration. Were they justified in erecting a general purposes hall when their available funds would adequately provide for the needs of renovating the existing Sunday school ?

Mr. S. W. Shaw thought Mr. Lyeons rather underestimated their resources, and advocated the promotion of concerts, sales of work, all-nation fairs, etc., as soon as a contract was let, so that by the time the building was completed the amount to be raised would be considerably reduced. One fault of the suggested plans lay in the width of the stage, which he considered should be a little wider. Mr. W. H. Robertshaw pointed out that as New Plymouth was growing rapidly this meant a large increase in their congregation and consequently he was in favor of the more ambitious scheme. The interest required would be just about half what the Ladies’ Guild raised last year. As the representative of the Rev. F. G. Harvie, the chairman considered they should push on wjth the larger scheme. It was sometimes a good thing for a church to be in debt as it awakened a more progressive spirit among parishioners. Were he to remain permanently in New Plymouth he would be just as much in favour of the scheme. To test the feeling of the meeting, Mr. Shaw moved that consideration be ■postponed till another £5OO is raised, and an effort be made in that direction as soon as possible. This was defeated. Mr. H. Fookes then moved and Mr. C. Hardin" seconded that the principle of the plans be approved, and the matter be left to the vestry with full power to act. This was carried. Mr. E. Lash moved that the vestry be empowered to borrow up to £l5OO for the proposed building. This was seconded by Mr. C. Evans and carried unanimously.