THE BELLS OF S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1683, 19 April 1883, Page 2

THE BELLS OF S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

A meeting of parishioners of the above chinch, convened by advertisement, was held in the school-loom of the church at 730 p.m. on Tuesday evening last. There was a poor attendance of parishioners, there being not more than twelve present, and the chair was occupied by the incumbent, the Yen. Archdeacon Willis. The business of the meeting was to consider Messrs. Vicker and Co. 'a letter re the bells, and discuss the project of procuring a larger peal. The subject ot the letter referred to, which was published in our issue of Thursday last, will be remembered. In opening the proceedings, the Yen. Archdeacon explained the object which had induced the vestry to call the meeting, and set forth in detail the subject of the proposal re the bells. He himself, personally, was in favour of a larger peal of bells being procured, if such could be done without falling heavily on theparishioncis, whose burden was already sufficiently largo. They would, however, agree with him that the bells were a luxury, and that other matteisin connection with the church, wore wanting their more immediate attention. Mr Wells said that the coming bazaar was wanting all the attent on they could give it. If the ladies coild prevail on their husbands, stteethe.uts and friends to assist them by giving substantial aid, the bazaar would be -\ financial success, but if this were not done, and all, or even a portion of the ought-to-be woikerswere apathetic in the matter, they might expect a poor result. The bazaar was the most gloomy matter they had got in hand, and why not exert themselves to make it otherwise. Mr T. Hicks was in favour of a larger peal of bells being procured, and Mr Webber entertained a like conviction. Before proceeding any further in the discussion about the bells, Mr Hewitt said he had another subject to hi ing under the notice of the meeting. Their clt'igytnau at the present had a service to attend at Matamata, Ohaupo and Hau* tapn, but the requirements of the Cambiidgc d strict he believed to be sufficient to keep him at home. It was impossible for him to visit his people in the Cambridge district, and those who had not been visited for some time were complaining. Mr Willis certainly did his very best, but it was impossible for him to attend to these outside services, and please all. The matter of proem ing the services of a curate was then discussed, when, on the motion of Mr Wells, the following resolution was adopted :—": — " That this meeting feeling that the work of providing ail ministration for Cambridge and districts, the population of which is now rapidly increasing, is now more than the incumbent is able to cope with, will communicate with his Lordship the Bishop, with a view to procuring an assistant curite. It is suggested that towards providing the sum of £190, the sum estimated as required, the districts of Cambridge, Ohaupo, Hautapu, Lichfield and Matamata be invited to contribute, and the Home Mission be asked to make up the balance." Again, referring to the matter of the bells, the Yen. Chairman said he had communicated with Mr Wells, Christchurch, on the subject, and he had recommended them to go in for larger bells. Mr Hewitt said as they had now an opportunity of getting rid of a bad bargain they should embrace it and increase the weight of the new peal say another ton, and have a peal of bells creditable to the church and second to none in the province. He would move a motion to that effect. Mr Webber seconded the motion. Mr Wells went into figures on the matter, showing that the cost of the suggested alteration would be about £170. Anyhow, if those present who seemed to be so enthusiastic on the matter would, having carried the proposition before them, put themselves to work and endeavour to do all in their power in the matter, £170 would not be much of an encumbrance. They must not lose sight of the matter which they had supported, and which by their support they had pledged therj*lve* to, after leaving the room, " Mr Hawley suggested that a good organ was more in requisition in the church than anything m the way of bells. Instead of increasing the expenditure on their bells let them spend the money on an organ. The following motion by Mr Hewitt Having been amended from the original was then put : — "That this meeting request the vestry to accept Messrs Vickers and Co.'s. offer to replace the present peal by a new one, and tnat the new peal be about 50001bs or as near this weight as the available space in the tower will permit." Mr Hosking proposed as an amendment, "That the present bells be returned, and that Messrs Vickers and Co.'s offer to supply another peal of the same weight and true to tone be accepted." Mr Hawley seconded. On both amendment and motion being , put to the meeting, 11 voted for the motion and two for the amendment. The original motion was therefore declared carried. > This terminated thQbuiiness,