PARISH MEETINGS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2239, 2 May 1881, Page 2

PARISH MEETINGS.

PHILLIPSIOWI*. The annual parish meeting oC tho Church of t the G-ood Shepherd vu held on Thursday last. The B&v. H. J. 0. Gilbert presided, and s opened the meeting with prayer. In the oourse of his address the chairman said if there had ever been doubts in the minds of • any as to the wisdom of founding the Church > of the Good Shepherd he thought those i doubts would be dispelled by a reviow of the > work of the past year. They were now reapi ing the fruits of the early sowing. Other men ; had labored, and he (the chairman) had > entered into their labors. The large uttond--1 ance at the Sunday and daily services, tho increasing number of communicants, and the i generous gifts of parishioners, went to show > how anxious they were to have and maintain 1 a churoh at Fhillipstown. The Sunday > sohool had grown in numbers, and some i new teachers were added. The difficulty > wbb how to procure additional church accommodation, but it was hoped that some scheme might be devised to remedy the dei feet. He wished to acknowledge the kindness and consideration shown to himself, and hoped that he might look for a oontinuanoe of their sympathy and help in the work which lay before them. Mr li. A. Oarrell, in ' presenting a statement of accounts, said the , income was largely in excess of previous yearß. The receipts for the year from all sources (exclusive of Diocesan grants) , amounted to £lB7 7s Id. This sum, toge- . ther 'with grants from Diocesan funds, enabled them to bring the clergyman's sti- , pend much nearer to the sum required by the Synod than they at first expected, or even hoped for. After paying high compliment to the curate for his nerviccs, he announced that the church was entirely free from all liability, and there was a small balanoe in hand. The gift of a set of holy vessels to the church, by Mrs James Williama, was gratefully acknowledged. The returning officer declared Mr B. W. Mountfort duly elected to represent the parish in the Diocesan Synod. The chair* man nominated Mr J. W. Bowlker to the office of clergyman's churoh warden. Mr L. A. Oarrell was elected by the parishioners, and Messrs Stills, Parkin, Macguire, Newton, and Bev. J. W. Bevan, were chosen as vestrymen. Votes of thanks were given to the retiring vestry, the organist, and choir, the Sunday School teachers, and the ladies who had aided the vestry in collecting subscriptions. The mooting then dosed. ST. STEPHEN'S, ASHBUBTON. The annual meeting of the parishioners of the above church was held latt Friday evening, the Bev. A. W. Hands in the chair. The chairman referred to the services, and said tho tastes of the most and least educated were consulted. He believed in having the services read, except on special occasions, and objected to be labelled a high or low churchman, as he tried to be as sound a churchman as he could. The offertories contained so many threepenny and fourpenny pieces that they were a disgrace to the community. People paid sixpence without hesitation for a drink, and came to church with a threepenny piece once a week. He also referred to the services held in the country di*6trict3, and paid a high compliment to the retiring churchwardens, Messrs Bullock and Fooks. The churchwardens" annual report, which was read, slated that the offerings showed an increase of £23 10a 2d, and pew rents £l9 3s 6d over last year, but there was a falling off of £SO 8s 3d from the stipend fund, which could not be regarded »9 satisfactory. Still there was on actual improvement of £122 14s sd. After referring to many other mutters", the report urged the r.ecoißity of more liberal subscriptions to the offertories and etipond fuuti, as with tho moat ri K id I economy it, was impossible to pay any of the d.'bt of tho church out of tho present income. Ihe report aad balance-sheet were adopted after eonse discusrion. Tho Sunday ! school report showed that there wero eighty- [ five boys and ninety-one girle in attendance ; I the average attendance for the year being 1128 i children. There wero thirteen teachers in the school, and there was a necessity for 'j more. Last year's debt of £3 8s Gd was paid by Mr John Grigg. There was £7 15s 8d in , fch.9 Savings Bark, being the children's contribution towards tho erection of a Sunday i rchool. The report was adopted. Mr George '. Jameson was elected clergyman's church- < warden, and Mr Gundry parishioners' I churchwarden. Dr. Trevor declined to accept 1 i office as churchwarden in tho churoh while it l whs conducted on commercial principles, and distinctions made between rioh and poor, i Messrs Bullock, Foots, Wood, Ferriman, i Grigg, Ward, Hunt, Mayo, Winter, and t Boan were elected vestrymen. Mr Zouch i was electod auditor. Dr. Trevor moved— I 0

" That it be a recommendation to the vestry that the feats bo appropriated, and each perboh taking one be asked to pay a voluntary annual subscription." The motion was carried after considerable diacußsion. The usual votes of thanks terminated tho meeting.