TRINITY CHURCH, LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1410, 16 May 1867, Page 2

TRINITY CHURCH, LYTTELTON.

The adjourned parish meeting took place al the schoolroom of the Church of England on Tuesday evening, the Key. F. Knowles ie the chair. After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting, the following report was read by Mr Ward : — "The committee appointed according to s resolution of the parish meeting held the 30tfc April, to consider the best means of extri fating the parish from ite present financia difficulties, beg to report as follows : — " That from the present financial state o the parish, and from the evident wish of manj of tlie parishioners, they see no means of de fraying the estimated expenses of the presenl year, and of liquidating the overdraft at the Bunk, except by adopting the system of pew rents . Supposing this plan to be adopted they would suggest that two-thirds of the sittings should be let and one-third free which, taking 300 as the number of sittings and leaving out those occupied by the churchwardens and choir, would give nbout 200 to let. They would else r commend that the rent of eittingr should be as follows : —Single sittings at 25----per annum, payable yearly in advance ; double sittings at 20a per annum, payable yearly in advance j three or more, at 15: per annum, payable half-yearly in advance That every third pew, commencing with tin third each side west and south of the font, be free; that nil seats unoccupied at the commencement of the voluntary or of divine service, as this meeting may decide, be free ; and that the pew rents shall be due from the beginning ol the church financial year, viz, let April last. " For defraying the balance of debt on the pareonige when it shall become due it ha* beei suggested by one of the committee that a gift auction shall be got up, according to a plan mccessfully adopted in Australia of late. "In conclusion, the committee earnestly beg al! parishioners to aid energetically in redeem ing the parish from its present embarrassed condition, and hope that whatever may be the private opinion as to any plan adopted, they will work harmoniously together in' t< cause which has for its object the glory of God and the eternal welfare of m:in." The Chairman courted discussion on the report. Dr Rouse* enquired if tho accounts were duly audited. Mr Ward replied in the affirmative. Mr Ward asked Mr H. C. Lanauze (one of the auditors) as to the correctness of the uocounts. Mr Lanauze, in reply, said he could not understand the old accounts, but he was satisfied about Mr Ward's accounts. Mr E. A. Hargreaves considered the meeting called on to decide the way in which the curate's stipend should be raised,and ci pressed a decided objection to the moneys collected being appropriated for any other use Mr Joyce moved —" That the minutes receiving and adopting the churchwardens' accounts be rescinded, and that the accounts be re-audited by Messr*. E, A. Hargreaves, H. Knowles, and Balfour." Mr H. N. Nalder seconded the proposition, which was carried. Mr Lanauze proposed—" That the report be received and discussed." Mr Wilkin seconded the motion. Carried. Mr Joyce moved—" That the system of pew rents be adopted " Mr C. Ward seconded. Mr Cuff enquired where free seats would be situated. Mr E. A. Hargreaves enquired if the income arising from pew rents would be appropriated for the sole payment of the curate's stipend and general expenses of the church. lie personally woul not vote for it in any other way. Mr Rouge moved—" That the pew rents be devoted to the curate's stipend and general expenses " Seconded by Mr Dimond. The original motion was put and carried, as was that of Mr. Rouse's. Mr Mclntosh mored—"That a quarter of the sittings be free." Mr Nalder seconded. Mr Balfour proposed an amendment, that one-third be free. Mr G-wutkin seconded. The Chairman made objection to co small a proportion of free seats as one-fourth, and expressed an opinion on the distastefulness of pew rents under any circumstances. Mr Cuff would support the amendment of Mr Balfour. The amendment was carried on division— Ayes, 15 ; noes, 10. Mr. Rouse said many parishioners objected to so large a sum as 25s for rental, and thought t.h £1 Is was ample. Ho moved— ' TliHt the rents be fixed at —single sitting or two, £1 ; three or more, 155." Seconded by Mr Dimond. Carried. A question was then raised as to collection of rents. Mr E. A. Hargreaves suggested that the rents be paid half-yearly, which was no greater expense than quarterly. Mr Joyce propose , !—"jThat the free seats be allotted as mentioned in the report of the committee." Mr Hurgreavea moved—"That all pew rents be considered due from April 1." Mr Lanauze seconded the motion. Carried. Mr Cuii' moved—" That a day and hour be appointed by the church wardens for the reception of applications for seats, and payment of rents, and that notice be given of the same." seondeil by Mr Perrin. Carried. Mr Hargreaves moved—" A vote of thanks to the Chairman." Seconded by Mr Lanauze. Curried. The meeting dispersed at a late hour.