CHURCH MEETING.

Press, Volume IV, Issue 448, 6 April 1864, Page 2

CHURCH MEETING.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of Chrilt. church -was held last evening at St. Michael's schoolroom, the Key. Henry Jacobs in the chair. The chairman, in his address to the meeting, stated that the first business to be laid before them would be the accounts of the parish during the last year. He was not prepared to state the exact amount of the expen- j diture and income, but Mr. Gordon, to whom he considered great thanks were due for the energetic way in which he had acted as churchwarden, would lay before them the accounts. The expenditure had not exceeded the income, but the liquidation of old debts had been severely felt during the past twelve months. It was for the purpose of discussing what steps were most advisable to place themselves on a better financial footing that the meeting was held, as well as to elect new churchwardens, to increase the number of vestrymen to ten, and to elect the members for the school committee. The chairman then proceeded to say that the division of the parish had now become almost a matter of necessity ; it was almost an impossibility for one man to carry on the duties. Measures were being taken at that time to obtain another clergyman from England, and it was one of the most important functions of the vestry, men to canvass for subscriptions, in order to be ready to pay the sum guaranteed to him on his arrival, which might be very soon. Mr. Gordon then proceeded to lay before them the accounts, audited by the Provincial Auditor, but he was sorry that it was his duty to state that it would require a considerable sum of money to relieve the parish from debt, that the churches were in a bad state, and in many ways wanted repairing, when there was no money for repairs. He thought that the vestrymen were not sufficiently energetic in canvassing for subscriptions in the various parts of the town, and believed that by that means a large sum could be collected. Mr- Davie moved that Mr. Gordon's account, as laid before the meeting, be accepted, which motion was carried. The Chairman then eaid, the next business that was to be attended to was the election of a ftew churchwarden. He felt the greatest pleasure in nominating Mr. Gordon for re-election in that office. Mr. Shepherd also nominated Mr. Torlessc, both being unanimously elected.

Mr. Torlesse then proposed ten vestrymen, and f after some discussion the following were elected .— f Messrs. Blakiston, Packer, Jones, Alport, Knight, 1 flawkes, Stewart, Davio, Wright and Sewell. , Messrs. Sewell, Pavitt and Broughton were then elected for the School, Committee ; and Messrs 1 Torlesse and Gordon, as Church Property Trustees. [ Mr. Shepherd then moved that the thanks of the meeting be returned to Mr. Gordon for the satUfsu-- . tory way in which he had conducted the aflairs of , the parish, and to Mr. Jones for the interest he took in church matters. Mr. Gordon returned thanks, and expressed his willingness to exert himself to the utmost in his office. Mr. Sewell moved and Mr. Pavitt seconded, that thanks be given to Mr. Jacobs, the chairman, for the manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the meeting. Mr. Jacobs having replied, the meeting wae dissolved.