FREE SEATS FOR ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11871, 19 April 1904, Page 9

FREE SEATS FOR ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.

A>- A>*IiLVTED MEETING. DONATION efW 0 TKIKVMEX • ~A discustioa. Ux;k plat* <■* gr3mffi e. »»".«* °":; t . b.- ~o*tuo:.vd till "•Sftc G Bnuau -.nov.d "Il.a«. thi* think n,,t d.«rabW toward* liJrin" "out the above prii.cipU'. 11* r that he did not wish to *■.■ aDr violent change, but if Ins motion wero Rioted, thow who hold scats wuu.d be !irf if -they would voluntarily give them no and co"ntribuK< annually a sum of eo'sey towards the finances. This change &d,been brought about in many othe-r • dnrcbes, somvtinws in the fact- of strong apposition, and in evvry instance, after a • jwr'e trial, the parishioners, had decided Jnanhnously to continue the system of free jjx A. Col* seconded the motion. Jlr F. H. Barns moved as an atneadoent that "In visw of tlw large amounts of money requiied to effectually maintain tie veil ordered organisations of the parish, and from time to time to provide for contingencies which must of necessity 4ri», this meeting is of opinion that it is not expedient to rai>-o any question which is at all calculated to hamper the finances or disturb the harmony which at preient exists,'and which is such a comfort and rapport to those who have the vtlUμ of St. Michael's and its congregation at' heart." The amendment was duly seconded. . The Vicar (the Yen Archdeacon Averni) itatfd that us he was equally attached to thaw members of his congregation who lad and had not twuts, he would remain absolutely neutral upon the question, and kare it entirely to the parishioners to decide. A prolonged discussion took place, in which it was evident that most of those rho «poke in favour of the motion did so ihiefly as a matter of principle, while the discomfort to parishioners, and especially the danger to the finances, were the chief arguments of those in opposition. Finally tlie amendment was put to the lull .meeting, including an immense majo- ■ rity who were not registered members of : the church, for an expression of "opinion. -sfhe amendment was negatived by 100 rotes to 75. The first part of Mr Brittan'e motion, merely expressing approval of tho principle of free seats, was carried, by a - majority -of 99 vote* to 70. The motion was next put among registered members only, and was carried on a eliow of kuub by 20 votes to IS. Mr Brittao then, moved the second part of his motion, which was carried by large majorities. - . - To the evident emprise of the meeting, Olr P. H. Barns, who earlier in the evenjug .had been re-elected a, member of the vestry, said that he would resign hia seat. Hβ explained that he was strongly opposed to the course recommended by the parishioners, and he considered he would be a fraud if he continued to sit on the vestry, when Lβ could not conscientiously, carry out their instructions. - Mr A. Francis, who had also been rctlected a vestryman, took tip the same position. The Vicar said he was very sorry that <be two had taken such a step. He ihcrught that the resolution adopted did not _ commit them to anything very serious, and he asked them to give the new system a trial, and if they found they could not ■work Vith the vestry, they could resign •then.' ilr Barns replied that ho could not .• npport the pruiciplo -in any shape or rioro. ■'_ Mr,., Francis thought the change of sys--tem would be very damaging to the , church. It' waa like throwing the anchor Worhoard, end letting the ship drift on • tterocke. '-lit , W. Wilson orjjed that if the two • Wejabcn believed that the new eyelem was tQ rain the church they had better ' tewun on the vestry, and fight against 'Ay 4ooth and nail. (Applause and vsndte.) ' chalknffed tlte Tote which h*i.'ieen taken among registered mem* b«lt Snd these nrere asked to come up to t«T front, to that -them might be no '*ssC«fr *t«r bow» fide character, and ex--I<jtsJi their opinions again. This resulted «.*fl» motion being' re-affirmed by 18 L *£&** M. ' ■ ■ • *&& W. Wilson eugg«*ed that surely it I&*s* duty of Mr Borne and *Mr ™pi. to represent the 14 upon the ttsun> as otherwi&e they'would be voiceMjt"fcarj»- rejoined . that . this was ausjing t)» point. It waa the bueinera of • vestryman, to carry out tho instructions .« «» pecaWwwni wlio elected him. Mr Praneia staled that he had resigned «» seat wry neluctantlv. Hβ was »-)rry that &». action l»d been bivught for- ™ «* saeh short notice. S6meo&e>9iggest«d t t e position was the urn am it the leader of tlu> Op- . pwtioa *houw resign, because the Government had a majority in the country. > It was put totlie full nioeting whether Mr and Mr Praocis thould remain oj not,.aixjl tho meeting unani- • tanoslr decided that they should ietain . tbeir eeots. .'.".: ' .Py*** °W Sissiasion, the two gentlemen "™»ne<i fixed ia;; their -resohtiou, and x**** W. Wibooi and Dioksou were *kwm vertrymen. ia their place.