ST. STEPHEN'S, ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13104, 1 May 1908, Page 5

ST. STEPHEN'S, ASHBURTON.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Stephen's Church, Ashburton, was held cm Tuesday ovening. There was a good attendance, and.the vicar, the Rev. E. Whitehouse, presided. The Chairman, in his report-, made reference to the loss sustained by the deaths of such prominent church members as Mrs#J. Davidson, Mt J. Stringfellow, Mr J. Hunt, Mr J. Ward, Mr C. E. Fooks, and Mr David Thomas. The churchwardens' report . showed that the financial year was commenced 1 with a deficiency of £43 10s 2d, and ended with a credit balance of 15s i lid. The completion of tho church 1 had cost £1698 10e. The. balance-sheet showed special subscriptions towards the building hind of £705 7s lOd. given in four separate amounts of £100 each, one of £50, one of -£32 7s 7d (the Ladies' Guild), two of £25, one of £15 10s, and other amounts varying from. £10 10s down to 2s 6d. He congratulated the parishioners on tho completion of the church, and stated that the Bishop would bo down to open the building formally in the first week in June. .■ Referring to the 'balance-sheet, Mr Wood stated besides the sum of £705 7.s 10d special subscriptions towards the'building, an additional £11 had since been paid ,and a further sum of £100 promised. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. , The following officers were elected: —-Vicar's churchwarden, Mr D. Wood: , parishioners' churchwarden, Mr F. W. Curtis: vestrymen, Messrs P. H. Cox, T. F. Gibson," W. McGregor, Watt, T. A. Gates, C. Nicoll. W. H. Rundle, J. Clark. Orbell; Sidesman, Mr Watlj auditors, Messrs Rundle and Watt.

A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr T. A. Gates, who as clerk of works,, had voluntarily superintended the work in connection with the "completion of the church. A motion was carried recommending the iiew vestry to make all the seats in the church f reQ. A further motion was carried to the effect that it be a recommendation to Synod to confer the ecclesiastical franchise on women. ..