ST. MARY'S, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1877, 11 April 1889, Page 2

ST. MARY'S, GERALDINE.

In accordance with a resolution passed at the last parish meeting of St. Mary's, Geraldine, a meeting of the vestrymen of all the churches in the Geraldine parish was held yesterday in the church, Greraldine. The Incumbent, the Eev. J. Preston, occupied the chair, and there were present—?? DrE. Fish, Messrs H. W. J. G. Dennistoun, G. Musgrave, W. Pizzey, J. Newman, J. Cooling, C. G. Tripp, A. White, J. Kelland, junr.j W. TJ. Slack, W. E. Barker, A. Macdonald, A, E. Hawkins, and Pritchett. An apology for nonattendance was read from the Hon. J. B. A. A eland. i

The chairman briefly stated the purpose of the meeting, viz., to discuss any matters that any vestryman might have to bring forward for the benefit of the Church, and that might tend to more closely uniting the various Churches in the parish. He asked anyone so disposed to suggest anything that they thought would be of interest.

Mr Moore thought it would be advisable to discuss the question as to what would be a fair contribution from the outlying Churches to the Central Church for the purpose of meetiug the expenses of the parish.

Until recently the whole weight of raising funds had fallen upon the shoulders of the Central Church, and it was found to he a very heavy tax. There would shortly have to be incurred an additional expenditure of about £2O for the purpose of repairing the parsonage roof. Those present considered the idea a good one, and after some discussion it was decided—" That the Church officers of each district forward to the vestry at Geraldine the number of Church members in each district

in order to allow the vestry in dine determining approximately tne amount of subscription due from each district." It was decided to take the average attendance as the basiß upon which to reckon the number of members, and to forward the returns within fourteen days.

Mr Moore said that he had a further suggestion to make. In a parish like that of Geraldine, which extended over 100 miles, it was impossible for the Incumbent to visit every person. Mr Preston, as they all knew, discharged his duties to the utmost of his power—(hear, hear)—• but no man, be he whom he may, could visit every person in such a district. He considered it would take a deal of the work off Mr Preston's shoulders if he would allow district visitors who might be willing to take a district to visit in the same, and report to him of the work they wera doing,and then anyone being desirous of seeing Mr Preston, suchj" for instance, as in the case of sickness, could have the wish conveyed to Mr Preston. He considered this would take a deal of the work off of the Incumbent, and bring all the members into touch with the church. (Hear, hear.) He moved :—" That it be a suggestion to the Incumbent of the parish that he invite members of the church to act as district visitors, and call a meeting in the several districts to apportion to each member the part of the district where he or she resided, or as may be most convenient for them to visit; the district visitors to report to the Incumbent, who would supervise the whole." Dr Fish seconded this. He considered in such a large scattered district if such assistance could be obtained the benefit would be immense. One person could not .possibly go everywhere; besides he thought every member of the church should have something to do. (Hear, hear.) Those present considered the idea a very good one indeed, and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Preston said he would be only too glad of such assistance.

This being all the business a vote of/ thanks to the chair "terminated meeting. - ; J