ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 649, 23 April 1870, Page 2

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, WESTPORT.

A meeting of the congregation, attending St. John's Church, was held in the Court-house, Westport, on Monday evening last, the 17th hist. The Rev. W. D, 11. Lewis occupied the chair, and opened the meeting with prayer. The Chairman read a copy of a letter addressed by his Lordship, the Bishop of Nelson, to the local Trustees, in which the Bishop stated that he had licensed the Rev. W. D. R. Lewis to the cure of Westport, and requested them to admit him to such properties and privileges as he was entitled to in virtue of that office. The Rev. gentloman then entered into an explanation of the duties of churchwardens and vestrymen in missionary parochial districts. They were in the case of churchwardens : 1. To collect the offertory at the services, and in conjunction with the minister to pay all sums received to the specified purposes. 2. To be regular in the payment of the minister's stipend.

3. To assist the minister to the utmost of their ability in carrying on his work in the district.

4. To inform the minister of any sick persons requiring his services, or ! of any church offices that may be required. In the case of vestrymen : 1. To assist the church-wardens iu the collection of contributions for general and special church purposes. 2. To see that the minister's stipend is regularly paid. 3. To present the year's accounts, duly audited, at the armual meeting of the congregration ; and in general to assist and encourage the minister in the performance of his duties to the utmost of their ability. The Chairman then nominated and appointed Mr Blicklock as the minister's church-warden for the ensuing year. After which, he called on the congregation to appoint one of their number as the second church-warden. Mr James Arthur Maguire, and Mr Hugh Neil, were then duly proposed and seconded. On the show of hands heing taken the choice fell on Mr Maguire, who was declared to bo duly elected. The meeting next proceeded to the election of vestry men, when the following; memuers of (he various congregations m the district were unanimously elected : —Messrs Barrio (German Terrace), Labatt, M'Leod, Roekstrow E. K. Suisted, Tyrrell, (Westport), and Yinall (Giles Terrace). A vote of thanks was then accorded to the chair, and the meeting, which was one of the largest yet held for church purposes, separated.