CHURCH OF ST. MATTHEW.

Hastings Standard, Volume XI, Issue 5553, 26 July 1907, Page 2

CHURCH OF ST. MATTHEW.

PARISH MEETING.

The annual meeting of St. Matthew's Parish, which was held in the Schoolroom last evening, produced some interesting and valuable discussions. A large number of parishioners attended. After Prayer and the reading of last year's minutes, the balancesheet was adopted. The current overdraft was reduced from £37 to £24. Other accounts all showed credit balances, and £575 has accumulated towards the Church enlargement. The following officers were nominated for the ensuing yearChurch-wardens-—For the Vicar, Mr J. NWilliams ; for the people, Mr W. H. Smith; Vestry: Messrs R. Wellwood, G. F. Roach, Ambrose Wellwood, W. C. Maddison, A. Masters, G. Ebbett, J. A Fraser, J. J. Faulknor, A. E. Hill and A. Dillon. Mr R. Brathwaite 1110/ ed, seconded by Mr E. Furniss, " That a quarterly estimate of revenue and expenditure be prepared, and that every half-year a list be made of all church members who subscribe to the Parish funds either by envelope or otherwise, but that no amounts be published." Sergeant Smart moved, and Mr G. Ebbett seconded, "That a quarterly estimate of receipts and expenditure be prepared and circulated among the congregation." —Amendment lost, resolution carried. Mr Maddison moved, seconded by Mr R. Wellwood, that the amount subscribed to the Organ Fund be placed to the credit of the Building Fund. Mr Fraser proposed and Mr Masters seconded as an amendment, that this amount be expended in turnishing the church and contingencies connected with the new organ.--Amendment lost. Resolution carried. Sergeant Smart asked the Vicar if it was true that he contemplated placing a billiard table in the schoolroom or in another building or church property. The Vicar replied not in the schoolroom, but in a room to be built for the purpose. Proposed by Mr Pitt, seconded (pro forma) by Mr G. Ebbett, that this meeting disapproves of the placing ot a billiard table in any building or church property. After some discussion, the Vicar admitted that this question was raised at his instigation. He had received the present of a billiard table, but before accepting it he wished to satisfy himself on a matter to him of grave responsibility. He noticed that many homes had billiard tables, and he wished to have an attractive home for the younger members of his growing family. On the other hand, he dreaded the slightest approval to cultivating vice or to wounding the feelings of any among his people. Mr W. H. Smith thought the parishioners should in every way support the laudable efforts of the Vicar in trying to provide a home lor those whose homes were distant, especially in disassociating from vice pastimes which they would cultivate either visciously or virtuously. Other speakers having supported the Churchwarden, the resolution was lost, only one voice speaking for it, which means that the Parish practically unanimously have approved the addition of a billard room to St. Matthew's Pastime Club. Votes of thanks to Mr C. A. FitzRoy, who has served as people's Churchwarden for nearly thirty years, to the retiring vestry, choir, SundaySchool teachers, and others who have assisted the church work during the past year, having been carried by acclamation, the parishioners became the guests of the vestrymen for the remainder of a useful and pleasant evening.