PARISH MEETINGS.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7524, 14 April 1890, Page 6

PARISH MEETINGS.

WAIMATE.

The annual meeting of the parishioners was held on Thursday evening. After opening prayers, the Incumbent (the Bey. C. Coates) who presided, remarked that there was cause for congratulation in the fact that the income had shown no diminution during the past year, and that the expenditure had been kept within the revenue, although various Improvements and repairs had been effected at the church and parsonage. The envelope subscriptions, however, continued to show a failing off, and the annual proceeds of the local endowment were about to be considerably reduced in consequence of the Imposition of the property tax. Until lately this fund had been supposed to be exempt from taxation, but suddenly the Commissioner had demanded payment of the tax for the last four years, with fines at the rate of 10 per cent, added for the first three years. This reduced the sum payable on the Ist April inst. by £A 1 7s 4a. Major Steward, the member for the district, had taken the matter in hand, and would endeavour to obtajn some relief from the Government. Meanwhile the church officers would suffer considerable inconvenience, as they had entered into liabilities on account of the new organ. There was every reason to hope, however, that with care and prudence on the part of the vestry and generous co-operation on the part of the parishioners, the difficulty would be overcome. The Churchwardens' balance-sheet showed that the receipts in the year ending 31st March had amounted to £&57 14s ad and the expenditure to £425 8s Id. The balance-sheet having been adopted the meeting, proceeded to the election of officers. The Incumbent having announced that he had much pleasure in re-appointing as his Churchwarden Mr John Horgan, Mr Beckett, the retiring Parishioners' Warden, proposed Mr Adams as his successor in office. Mr Adams wan thereupon unanimously elected. It having been decided that the number of vestrymen should again be seven, the following were elected:—Messrs W. H. Beckett, G. Watts, E. C. Studholme. R. E. Boyd, D. Watts, W. J. Black, and A. Taafe. After the customary vote of thanks the meeting was closed with the Benediction. ' ■->.::