ST. MATTHEW'S STONE CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 179, 31 July 1896, Page 2

ST. MATTHEW'S STONE CHURCH.

A mketino of the parishioners of Sb, Matthew's Anglican Church was held last nighb for bhe purpose of considering the question of disposing of the fund known as that of the stone church. There was a good attendance. Mr Doonin, senior church warden, presided, and apologised for the absence of the incumbent, who had received an urgent telegram calling upon him to proceed to Wellington aa his father was dangerously ill. The Rev. Dr. Purchas opened the proceedings with prayer.' The Chairman then explained that the meeting was called for the purpose of considering tbe question of building a new church. He felb they were dissatisfied that nothing much had been dono in that direction during the year, Tbe church wardens had been appointed to meet the trustees and confer upon the question. Dr. Hooper bad waited upon the trustees, but there waa a disagreement upon the question of which architect thould draw up tha mode of applying for the competition. They met many times, bub made little progress. He felt they wero wasting their tiuio and untimabely Messrs Speighb and Upton were added to the Building Committee and they gave great assistance. The trustees, ■ however, claimed certain powers, and considerable correspondence took place in consequence. Ultimately tbe trustees took legal opinion to ascertain their true position. The solicitor to the trustees, Mr Kissling, gave his opinion that the trust deed ot 1868* did not provide aa to when such a church should be built, and it would require to be taken to tho Supreme Court, The vestry then instructed Messrs Dovore and Cooper to consult with Mr Kissling upon the mattor. That firm ultimately advised taking no proceedings until after the new vestry had been elected.. Dr. Purchas asked bow much the fund amounted to, and how much the building would cost.

The Chairman said tho building was estimated to cost £20,000, and the fuud amounted to £24,253 7s 6d. As the church would take three years to build, by that time the fund would amount to about £26,000.

After some slight discussion the following resolutions were adepted :— " That the time has arrived when the stone church should bo erected upon the land specified in the deed of trust; that the space in the church should be for not less than 1,200; that the stone u.ed should be Timatu and Oamaru, or auch other stone ac the architects may approve. The suggestion that the preparation of the designs be placed in the hands of Mr J. L. Pearson, the architect employed for repairing Westminster Abbey, or Mr James Bruce, F.R.1.8.A., waa objected to by Mr Overton, who thought that thero were good enough architects in the colony to prepare the designs. After some discussion the original motion was adopted. It was further agreed that the cost of such church shall be £20,000, with such further sum as may be available, and that the fuhd accumulated under the deed of trust is now required for the erection of the church. A series of formal resolutions was also adopted as to progress payments, calling for and accepting tenders. Tbe veßtry and trustees were appointed a Building Committee, It was also agreed that early application be made bo the Supreme Courb for such order as, under the circumstances, it may deem fib. The Chairman said a friendly suit would be required to fix up matters. Thia was agreed to, and the meeting ended.