ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH, TEMUKA

Temuka Leader, Issue 1960, 24 October 1889, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH, TEMUKA

An adjourned meeting of the parishioners of St. Saviour’s Church was held on Tuesday evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall, to consider the plans of the proposed new church. There was a good attendance, and after threw sots of plans submitted had been inspected, the meeting was formally opened by the Incumbent, the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, who explained the object of the meeting. He urged the importance of the question, and trusted that there would be no difficulty in coming to a unanimous decision on the subject. He desired all to freely express their minds on the subject, and should there he any dissentients that they would concede to the opinions of others with the same grace that he felt sure the advocates of the erection ef the new church weald do if it was shown that the scheme was inopportune. For himself, he should not take part in the decision, as he would then have to become a partizan. It was entirely a question for the parishioners to settle themselves, and all that be desired was perfect unanimity. ; Mr Talbot said he had not come With any decided opinion. He thought they had decided at the previous meeting to. build the church, and he Would move “ That this meeting proceed with the election of a building committee.” He hoped they would discuss it temperately, and whatever decision the majority arrived at they would work together. He would agree with the majority, whatever it did. He was strongly in favour of a new church, but if the majority decided against it he would agree with it. A parish room was absolutely necessary, and the question was, which was best to go on with, the parish room or a church P They had from £l4O to ■ £l6O, and a room would cost £250. The present church would soon bare to be repaired, and he believed it would be better to build a new church. They had an offer of £BOO, and other offers breught the amount promised to £6OO. He believed another £IOO could be got by canvass, and £IOO by a bazaar, and that would leave them £IOO or £2OO in debt. He did not think that at all extravagant. They must go on now or leave it for their time, because it was not likely they would get again such a contribution as they were offered now. They would probably never again get such an offer. —As regards the condition attached to the donation he thought it was not objectionable, as it was a, capital site. That ought not to stand in their way. He thought, too, a stone church would be. the best, and some ef the farmers would doubtless assist in carting the material. He was very much in favour of the church, but he would abide by the decision of the majority, and he hoped they would all look upon the matter in the same way. Mr Newbury said he thought it would be better to decide whether it would be brick or stone.

Ms lalbot said they ought to agree first whether they , would have any church at all : Mr Gaue seconded the motion, and said there was no oceasion to say much to back Mr Talbot up, as he had put the case forcibly. Me was opposed to a new church at first, but be considered they would be doing an unfair thing if they were to throw away such an offer. He found that out of 86 subscribers 19 belonged to other denominations. Out of 70 church members only 17 had already subscribed, so there were a good many more to canvass. Since the present list had been in one gentleman bad offered £25. They should go on with a church, because the one they bad would not last long, as it was, badly built. He would like to hear the other side of the question. So far they never heard an argument against it until after the. meetings were over. That was not fair. The matter ought to be discussed in the room, instead of outside, 1' As regards a stone building, be thought it the best. He went to Kakabu and ascertained that Mr Wigley would give the stone; that it could be quarried for 4s, carted for 7s, and built for 26s per cubic yard. He thought that would be very cheap. v He ascertained iu Oam aru that the stone in truck there would cost a shilling cubic foot. The Kakahu stone was superior to it, s and for £IOOO they would have a building for all time., There* being ho more discussion, the motion was put and carried unanimously, Mr .Talbot said now was the time to decide the material.

Mr Mason said he thought this was not the time to decide it. ‘ Mr G-aze said the subscribers made a difference of £SO in their, gift in favor of stone. They would give £SO more to the stone building than the wood. Mr Newbury moved—“ That the church be built in stone.” Mr Talbot suggested that a recommendation be made to the building committee W give preference to stone, Mr Newbury altered his resolution accordingly, Mr Lee said they had the plans before them, and so far as he could see there was only £SO difference. He was in favor of stone, and this was the general feeling, as people would subscribe more for a stone church. If they had the funds as stated- there was no difficulty in the way, and it would be to their disgrace if they did not go on with it. The site waft

central and good, and for his part ho thought Arowhenua would jot be more populous than Temuka. If they spent the money they had now in building a parish-room, and reject the offer of Mr Hayhurst, how could they go to the people in a few years again to get money to build a church, He hoped they would go with .the majority. Mr Palmer thought it was early yet to say what material it should be built it. He would be in favor of stone.

M Mr , Talbot moved,*;} Mr , ,Maßon seconded, and it was carried—“ That J the following be the buildinit jmittee; Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Messrs jPinckney, Gaze, Dayey, Langridge, {Corner, Mason, Lee,; and the mever.” I Mr Wills spoke in favor ef deciding whether it should be of wood or stone.

Mr Newbury then moved—That it be a recommendation to the building committoe to invite tenders for building the church in stone,” * 1 Mr Lee seconded it, ■ ‘ ' ; Mr Pinckney suggested that tenders Should be called for a building in wood also.

I Mr Talbot said that if they could jget the church built in stone for £IOOO they would not take;;a church bf wood for £SOO, but if the stone church cost £ISOO .of course they Would have to reconsider the position. | Mr’ Lee spoke strongly in favor ef? stone. ’ '• v ■' ■■■ Mr Vallender thought there would be £IOO to £2OO subscribed in favor of stone more than wood. I The motion in favor of a building in stone was carried unanimously. < i.. I The Rev. Mr Hamilton; said that he ” must express his gratitude to the pembera of other denominations who hatj, Subscribed so freely. .It was encouraging to find that out of 36 who had; promised.subscriptions, the/ majority of them belonged to other denominations. * This showed a very; kindly feeling towards the Church of England, and he was deeply grateful for it. It ought to encourage them to go on. I Mr Palmer said that he supposed j the members of other denominations Who subscribed wore ashamed of the. church, and that that was the reason they gave so freely. (Laughter.) ; After some farther consideration,. : The Rev. Mr Hamilton expressed a hope that they would, go to work, earnestly now, and that they would have so far progressed by the 81st of March next, when the new bishop arrived, that they would be in a position to invite him to lay the foundation stone. It would be a grand thing if they could get him to lay the.foundation stone the first thing after his consecration.

Mr Q-aze moved—“ That this meeting convey to the Hayhurst family, through Mr Hayhurst, the appreciation . of the congregation of the liberal >* subscription they have given to: the .; Church.”

The motien was carried nnan imouily, and the meeting terminated with the rev. chairihan pronouncing the benediction.'