WESTPORT AND GREYMOUTH ENGLISH CHURCHES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 575, 2 November 1869, Page 2

WESTPORT AND GREYMOUTH ENGLISH CHURCHES.

(From the Grey River Argus,) A meeting of parishioners of Trinity Church was held on Tuesday eveniug. There was a pood attendance, and Mr J. Greenwood was called to the chair. Explanations were made by Mr Thomas, churchwarden, and an extract from a letter and a telegram were read from the Bishop of Nelson to the Rev. G. P. Beaumont, from which it appeared that as the clergyman who had been sent for from England to take charge of the Greymouth Parish had arrived, and ae Westport was without a clergyman, Mr Beaumont was called upon to say whether he would remain permanently at Greymouth, in which event Mr Watkins would take charge of Westport. Mr Beaumont had replied that he was now prepared to remain here, upon his being requested to do so by the parishioners. After

some preliminary discussion, Mr Wylde said he felt sure they would be unanimous in requesting Mr Beaumont to remain in charge of the parish. While he had been here he had gained the good wishes of the people; he had proved himself to be a most excellent parish priest, for they all knew him not only in the church but also in the parish; and a more hard-working clergyman could not be found. He moved —"That Mr Beaumont be requested to retain permanent charge of this parish." Mr Kenrick seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. There was a discussion as to a guarantee which had been given of £SO towards the passage-money and outfit of the clergyman who had been brought out from home, but ultimately the negotiations as to its payment or non-payment were referred to the Vestry. We regret to state that some misunderstanding has since occurred between the Church of England congregation here and the Churchwardens, which has had the effect of causing a most unfortunate complication. It appears that subsequently some members of the congregation considered that the meeting had not been sufficiently advertised, and some objection was taken to the course adopted. A vestry meeting, convened in an irregular manner, was held, or attempted to be held, on Thursday evening, but nothing was done except the recording of a protest against the legality of the meeting. Mr Beaumont, considering himself unfairly treated in the matter, has sent in his resignation to the vestry as he felt that he could not with justice to himself continue to occupy a position in which he had not the entire confidence of his parishioners. Mr Beaumont, we understand, intends calling a public meeting of the Anglican congregation, in order to lay before them the position in which he has been placed. Mr Beaumont has labored hard and faithfully on the West Coast for about three years, and ought at least to receive justice at the hands of the Anglican community. We hope that the contretemps which has occurred will be overcome, and that Mr Beaumont will be induced to withdraw his resignation.