ST. MATTHEW'S

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 23, 28 January 1891, Page 2

ST. MATTHEW'S

Dr. Hooper occupied the chair at the annual meeting of St. Matthew's Church parishioners last evening. The Rev. W. Tebbs wrote regretting his unavoidable absence. He thanked the wardens, vestrymen, and congregation for their kindness to him in the time of sickness. The acknowledgment by Mrs Tebbs of the recognition of "her services as organist was also read, and her willingness to continue them till better times came aroused applause. Mr Colson was the incumbent's nominee for minister's warden for the coming year. Annual Report. — The report of the vestry deplored the falling off of income during the last year, but they were hopeful of better times. An overdraft on the bank would, however, have to be sanctioned to meet present liabilities. The stone church had not been pushed forward, owing to unlooked for difficulties in the carrying oui> of the plans. The Sunday-school was paying its way, and was in a very satisfactory condition. The Girls' Friendly Society was still doing good work. It \vas hoped the Rev. W. Tebbs would return from England in good health. The accounts showed the receipts for the year to be £617 53 10d, and the expenditure £616 17s 9d, leaving a balance in the tank of 8s Id. The liabilities were £806 4s 2d, and there also appeared a liability of £174 to St. Thomas' loan, whilst the bell tund amounted to £376 Oβ lid, and the assets included the balance of 8s Id, and unpaid pew rents £20. The stone church building fund account was as follows : — Dr.: To amount in hand, 31st December, 1889, £307 13s 10d ; invested on i

landed security, £16,615 ; insurance, ratea, etc., on investments repaid, £48 13s; interest received on investments to 31st December, 1890, £1,299 5s ; total, £18,270 11s 10d. Cr.: By paid insurances, rates, etc., on investments, £84 10a 2d ; paid commission collecting interest, £64 18s lid: paid sundry petty expenses, £5 ; invested on landed security, £17,160; amount in hand, £956 2s 9d ; total. £18,270 11s od. Tbe report and statement of the general church accounts were adopted.

Stoke Church Accoukts.—Mr Bridgewater asked why the accounts of the slone church building had not been audited.—Mr J. M. Burtt, one of the trustees for the fund, said that the trustees had declined to recognise the audit of Mr Bridgewater unless he was willing to sign the accounts, which he had admitted were correct. This was the reason there had been no audit. The accounts were kept by a good accountant, and the speaker supervised them every day. Some years ago, at an annual meeting, Mr Waymouth had been appointed, and had gone through the accounts for ten years without being able to find a penny wrong. He and Mr Cochrane bad takan about three days going over the accounts, and the trust was in a most satisfactory condition.—Mr Bridgewater maintained that it was necessary that there should be an audit. —Mr Doonin agreed with him. The last audit had been by Mr Waymouth in 1877. He moved, " That this meeting is of opinion that a public audit of tbe stone church building fund is necessary, and that the expense of the audit be a charge against the fund."—Mr Piggott seconded the motion. There was considerable discussion on the point, in which Mr Pond, Mr Burtt, and the Chairman took part. The main question was, if there was an audit who should pay it? Finally this motion by Mr Doonin was carried, "'That the trustees be requested to have a public audit of the accounts of the stone church building fund annually before submitting them to the parish moeting." Officers. —The following officers were elected :—Minister's churchwarden, Mr Coleon ; parishioners' churchwarden, Dr. Hooper; vestrymen, Messrs T. W. Doonin, Workman, J. Fisher, A. Rogerson, Morrin, Langley, E. Shillington, Littler, E. Piggott and J. 'Bridgewater. Mr A. E. Mills was olected one of the auditors, the election of a colleague being deferred. The Chairman spoke at some length, mainly on the dutiee and failings of parishioners. Three gentlemen had been obliged to put their names to a bond for £150 in order to pay off liabilities. There was a growing tendency to allow one or two shoulders to support all the weight of the church.

Mr Doonin alluded to the financial state of affairs, which wanted looking into. Taking last year's expenditure as a basis, they might count on there being a deficit next year of £200 odd. Tho church was in disrepair and at the present time unfit to go into. Dr. Dawson proposed retrenchment. Mr Fisher proposed the reduction of the minister's stipend to £200. Mr Langley proposed, "Thab ab the expiration of the ensuing year the minister's stipend be £200 a year." He said that if they could afford to give more they would no doubt be happy to do so. The Chairman didn't think they would get a good man at the price. The deficit would be only £100, not £200, at the end of the year.

Mr "Rogerson moved an amendment, "That at the expiration of the year the stipend of the minister be £250 a year." _ This was not seconded, and the motion of Mr Langley was then adopted. Economies in the use of gas, etc., were suggested by Mr Dawson, bub no motion was put. A prayer terminated the meeting.