TRINITY CHURCH PARISH MEETING, LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2490, 24 April 1871, Page 2

TRINITY CHURCH PARISH MEETING, LYTTELTON.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of this Church was held on Thursday evening, at the Church school-room. There was only a small attendance. The Rev F. Knowles, incumbent of the parish, occupied the chair ; and after the minutes had been read and confirmed, called upon Dr Rouse, the parishioners' churchwarden, to read the financial statement for the past year. From the same it appears that the total receipts were £331 18s, and the expenditure, £394 3s r,a. Dr Rouse said that their overdraft at the bank was larger this year than last, owing to the amount of repairs they had made to the church, wliich, he trusted, would not require any. further outlay the coming year. He stated that the whole of the money due Mr Graham, the church-keeper, for j the past year, had been handed back by him to be paid into the Cemetery Fund, which had been done. He had hoped that the plans and communication would have been received by this time from England, in reference to the memorial window they intended placing by subscription in the south transept window of the Church, but he was afraid they had been hurnt in the last mail via America. The Chairman said they had to be thankful that since the fire, the offertories had kept up so well, which he attributed to, and and believed were thank offerings. It was proposed and seconded, that the statement as read be received. Carried. The Church School statement showing a credit balance of £1 17s lOd, and the Sunday School statement, showing a credit balance £5 13s, was read and received. Tbe Rev. Mr Knowles said that he should again nominate Dr. Donald as his chnrchwarden. Mr Webb proposed, and Mr Ellisdon seconded, and it was carried unanimously, that Dr. Rouse be the churchwarden for the parishioners. • ' The following gentlemen were elected as vestrymen :—Messrs Wilkin, A. Cuff, H. R. Webb, W. Graham, Ellisdon, and Perrin. It was resolved that the vestry act as thc School Committee. Dr. Rocse proposed a vote of thanks for past services to Mr Graham, their churchkeeper, for his liberal douations to the Church ; to Miss Ward their organist : to Mr Plimmer, and the members of the choir, and to the organ-blower. Mr Wilkin seconded, and it was carried. . The thanks of the parishioners were recorded to the churchwardens and vestrymen of the past year. Mr. Webb said that before the meeting separated be wished to make a, few j;wtarks

upon the advisability of their mom mg service being shortened, espechliv on Communion Sundays, he therefore moved —"That this meeting recommend to tho consideration of the vestry the power vested in them, with the concurrence of the curate for the shortenbig of the services accordingto resolution as passed by the General i Synod." Mr A. CUFF seconded tlie motion. Dr. DONALD said that he hoped the parishoners would pause before they interfered with the services ; he, personally, was much opposed to any alterations, but liked it to bo as it had been since his childhood ; if it was decided to make an alteration, they would in twelve months wish they had not done so. Dr. Uovsk was in favor of its being shortened. A long discussion ensued on the proposal which was finally ptit and carried, after an amendment by Dr Donald, '* that the subject be adjourned sine die," was put "aud lost. Mr Packard moved—" That the vestry take into consideration the desirability of the congregation repeating the General Thanksgiving aloud after the minister which was carried. Dr. Donald said that ho was afraid the floor of the church would soon require to bo repaired, as the dry rot had got into it, and also that repairs would be required for thc parsonage Then meeting the adjournek.