ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, RANGIORA.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, RANGIORA.

The annual meeting of tbe parishioners of this church took place on Monday evening, being held in the Church of England girl s schoolroom. There was a fair attendance, the Ten. Archdeacon Dudley occupying the chair. The meeting having been opened with prayer, and the minutes of last year's meeting having been confirmed, Mr 0. G. Chapman, senior churchwarden, read the statement of accounts for the past year as follows :—Beceipts—By balance in hand Easter, 1878, £19 19s sd; offertories, £217 14s Id; do towards missions, £20 Is lOd; subscriptions collected, £60 7s 2d j rent of reserve and donations, £16 12s 2d ; total, £324 14s 6d. Expenditure — Paid diocesan treasurer, balance of offertories last year, £11 5s sd; do offertories this year, j £218 18s sd; Sunday school library and organ fund, £21 9s 8d; ordinary expenses, £55 9« 4d; balance in hand, £17 lis 8d; total, £324 14s 6d. He wished to point out tbat, although there was a balance in hand shown by the -accounts, yet there was a deficit in the ordinary expenses account of £17 5s 7d, and also in the stipend account of £5 10s sd. He said that there was no guaranteed amount towards the stipend, but it was the custom for the whole of the offertories received on account of the stipend fund to be paid to the minister. Por two or three years the amount had been increasing, but this year there was a falling off, so that IeBS than the regular sum had been paid by the parish. The total amount received for all purposes was also lees than on the previous year, whioh may be accounted for by the fact of special efforts having been made then, each as Dean Bromby's mission, when extra collections were made. Several extra expenses had been incurred during the year.

The V''ce-Ohairman then read a statement of several accounts in his keeping, viz., the cemetery aoconnt, showing receipts £12 10s, balance in hand £2 5s §d ; Sunday school account £246 2s 2d, less paid on contract for new Sunday school £100, balance in hand £146 2s 2d. He alluded to the fact of an organ having been purchased and placed in. the church through the efforts of Mr Merton and an organ committee, the former having raised a very considerable portion of the purchase-money by holding musical festivals in Bangiora. He also stated that the erection of a new building for a Sunday school was being carried out, and would be completed before long, Mr J. G. Leech proposed that the statements of accounts as read be received and adopted. He thought the parishioners had reason to be thankful for the measure of prosperity shown by them, and to be congratulated upon their satisfactory position. Mr Aherne seconded the motion.

Mr A. H. Cunningham thought it would be better if a sum were guaranteed by the parishioners towards the incumbent's stipend, than that he should be paid by the offertories received on account. Then there would be an effort to raise the full amount in case of a deficiency.

The Yen. Archdeacon pointed ont that the amount contributed by the parish was less than the minimum that should be guaranteed, and it bad been arranged some years ago that the total amount received Bhould be paid to the clergyman, and he was quite wilting it should remain so. It would save going round asking for subscriptions. The motion was carried unanimously. Votes of thanks were then proposed, aeoonded, and carried to the outgoing church officers, to Mr Merton and the choir, to Mr Burrows and Mr Tribe, who have acted as organists during the year, and to Mr Moorhouse.

Mr Merton responded on behalf of the choir and organists, and especially referred to the services rendered by Mr Burrows and Mr Moorhouse as worthy of special thanks. The Chairman referred to the want of an assistant curate in the district. A church was about to be erected at Sonthbrook, and there was great need of a superintendent in the Sunday school, so tbat it was a matter that required earnest consideration. He had hoped that some more of the parishioners would have taken an interest in the Sunday school and supplied a superintendent, but as they had not done so an assistant curate was almost a necessity. The church should also be warmed during the winter, and he should Like to see that taken into consideration.

A vote of thanks was then accorded to the the Sunday school teachers, coupled with, the name of Mrs Dudley, who haa acted as superintendent.

The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. The Incumbent said that he had received a letter from his churchwarden, stating that in consequence, of. increased duties, and other matters he would be unable to take the office again tbis year. He regretted very much losing the services of Mr Chapman who had so long been of great help in the church, and waa sorry that he conld not be persuaded to reconsider hia decision. He would nominate Mr J..M. Thomson as his churchwarden for the ensuing year. Mr Thomson was an exceedingly regular attendant at churchy and was one of tbe very first members of it.

After some hesitation Mr Thomson agreed to accept the office. Mr A. H. Cunningham was nominated as Sarishioners' churchwarden, tnd after a good eal of persuasion consented to the election.

Messrs C. G. Chapman, J. G. Leech, J. Bell, and W- Thomson were elected "vestrymen for the ensuing year. Tbe Chairman then read a memorial received from a number of the parishioners, praying that tbe chanting of the Psalms, singing tbe Amen, and the responses to the Commandments maybe discontinued. Several of the petitioners were present, and explained their reasons for signing tbe memorial. The Incumbent could not understand why they objected to the chanting in church. The choir did it very nicely, and it was certainly sanctioned by Scripture. He would not object to the Amen being said instead of song, but thought the rest of the service conld not be altered.

Mr Merton suggested that the responses to the Commandments might also b* said, if the chanting gave offence to any of the parishioners. After a good deal of conversation, it was agreed that for the future the responses should be said and not sung.

The meeting was closed by the Chairman in the usual manner.