CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 138, 10 August 1881, Page 3

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

The adjourned annual meeting of the members of the Church of England was held in Mr. Bate's office last Friday afternoon. About a dozen persons were present."

The Eev. Mr. Dasent b ing absent through sickness, the clergyman's churchwarden, Mr. Hobbs, took the chair.

A report was presented showing that there had been twentj r -six services during the year; twenty-two by Mr. Dasent, three by Mr. Thorpe, and one by the Bishop. The offertory collections were £26, other receipts bringing the total amount up to £31 Bs. Subscriptions from Messrs. Lysaght, Perry, and Morecroft, to the general church fund amounted to a farther sum of £31. It was expected that at least £50 would be derived from this source. The expenditure out of the ordinary fund amounted to £26 11s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of about £5. It was held that a further sum of at least £19 should be collected towards the stipend. The Chairman explained that all subscriptions towards the clergyman's stipend would be paid into the general church fund. That out of that fund grants were made to any deserving district. If a resident clergyman was appointed, he was expected to have an annual stipend guaranteed to him of at least £250 before the Bishop would appoint. If the promised subscriptions fell somewhat short of the amount guaranteed, the deficit was generally made good out of the general fund; but if the deficit were large, it would not be made good. In the event of a clergyman b ing appointed for the Hawera district, Hawera would be his head-quarters, but regular services would also be held at Manaia, Normanby, and possibly also at Opunake.

BUILDING COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

Mr. White handed in a report which showed that the voluntary contributions collected amounted to 18s. 6d. ; promised subscriptions to about £30 ; and a payment from the Church Building Fund of £30, making a total of receipts and assets amounting to .£3lB 18s. 6d. Of this amount there was £12 Bs. 6d. in hand. The receipts, including a loan of £100, amounted to £358 ISs. sd. The liabilities to £211 10s. To set against the latter sum there were £72 Bs. 6d. of assets, leaving a balance unprovided for of £139 Is. Gd, plus the loan of £100.

ELECTION OF VESTRY.

A letter was read from Mr. Dasent, requesting that in the event of Mr. Hobbs still declining to retain his office as clergyman's churchwarden, Mr. Kernpthorne had consented to act.

On the motion of Mr. Parrington, seconded by Mr. Hobbs, Mr. Perry was elected parishioners' churchwarden. Mr. Laishley proposed that the number of the vestry be increased to five, in addition to the chairman and the two churchwardens. The more there were belonging to the vestry the more likelihood there was of the district being well canvassed. — Carried.

The following members were then elected : — Messrs. Hobbs, Laishley, Morecroft, Yorke, and White.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr. White thought it would be well if efforts were to he made to canvass the district to secure sufficient support for the appointment of a' separate parish, that sub-committees should be appointed in other centres of population to assist the vestry in Hawera.

A resolution empowering the vestry to appoint such committees to assist iv the canvass of the district, and for the regulation of other church matters, was then put and carried. A general feeling was expressed that if the services of such a man as one mentioned could be secured, there would be no difficulty in obtaining ample support throughout the district ; otherwise it was feared that the liberality of the parishioueers could scarcely be relied upon.

The vestry was instructed to conimnuicate with the Bishop, re the appointment of a clergyman.

Mr. Morecroft thought that it might he well to take the opinion of tbe meeting on the question of securing au organ. Mr. Pinches believed that a fair instrument might be secured for about £'50 or £QO.

It was agreed to leave the question in abeyance in the meantime until the result of the canvass were known.