KNOX CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9092, 19 May 1908, Page 5

KNOX CHURCH.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. There was a good attendance of members at the meeting held in Knox Church last evening for the purpose of considering the question of erecting a spire, extending the church, and the installation of a pipe organ at a cost of approximately ,-£3,000. The Rev. A. T. Thompson presided, and briefly outlined the subject for consideration. Mr D. McGregor said the proposal Ihey had met to discuss was one of great moment, and required careful censideratior.. , It was proposed to spend £1,300 in extending the church, as the present wss found to be too small tc held the rapidly increasing congregation. The scheme under consideration provided, in addition to the church extension, that a spire should be erected at a cost of £750, and also the installation of a pipe organ at a cost of £640, the present organ being alogether inadequate for the requirements of the church. The total amount that the members of the building committee proposed to spend on the church (together with the existing overdraft of £400) was £3,090, or in round numbers about £3,000, as the overdraft would be reduced during the year. A scheme representing the expenditure of such a large sum was a big one. It was, however, not intended to proceed with the work, providing the congregation approved of the proposal, until at least half the amount required, viz., £1,500, had been raised.' He felt sure there would be little difficulty experienced in getting the sum, and the only liability the members would be called upon to lace would be an overdraft of £1,500. 'lhat would not be a very serious matter, as the ordinary revenue last year had been nearly £I,OOO. If thoy compared their congregation and their revenue with those of other churches in t! e dominion they would find, supposing they had a debt of £3,000, they would still be in a better position than a great many of the prosperous churches in New Zealand. Taking the large and prosperous district the circuit embraced, he thought the members should have no hesitation in adopting the scheme before them, especially in view of the rapid progress the town of Masterton was making. It was quite within the hounds of possibility that Masterton would in the near future be an inland city of the dominion. He appealed to members to view the question from a broad-minded and progressive standpoint. If they did that he felt sure the resolution drawn up by the committee would bo adopted in its entirety. Mr McGregor then proposed "That this committee strongly recommends the whole scheme of church addition, spire and organ to the consideration of the congregation, the committee being of opinion that the congregation do not commit itself to the scheme until at least half the amount necessary to carry it out is in view, and recommends that subscriptions in suppurt thereof cover a period of three years." Dr. Cowie seconded the proposition. Mr G. Heron moved as an amendrren*., "That the scheme excepting the erection of a steeple be adopted." Mr P. Gordon seconded the amendment, and in doing so said he did not want to throw cold water on the scheme. He would willingly support the project, only he considered the extra burden would mean a greater tax upon the revenue in the way of interest than the church was able to bear. The chairman mentioned several parisheu where the revenue was not so great as that of Knox parish, but which were incurring more expenditure and carrying greater liabilities than it, in order to justify the carrying of the scheme. Mr J. McGregor, senr,, spoke at length in favour of the motion. Several members spoke in opposition to the motion, which when put was negatived, the amendment bei'ng carried by a unanimous vote. A sum of over £2OO was promised by six gentlemen present towards the cost of carrying out the amended schema. The meeting then-terminated^