ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7225, 26 April 1884, Page 3

ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS.

CUST. The annual meeting of churchmen of this parochial district was held on April 24. There was a considerable attendance. The Rev E. H. Wyatt, curate of the district, was in the chair, and after opening the proceedings with prayer, called upon the churchwardens to present the accounts. These were considered satisfactory, showing a small credit balance after meeting liabilities. The churchwardens pointed out, however, that in consequence of the departure of several churchmen from the district there would be serious difficulty in meeting the parochial engagements for stipend and ordinary expenses during the ensuing twelve months, unless assistance could be given from some other source. It was moved by Mr J. C. Tipping (parishioners' churchwarden), and seconded by Mr Cottle —" That seats in St James' Church, Cust, may be let to persons desirous of appropriating them by payment."

After an earnest debate, this resolution was carried by a small majority of the registered parishioners. After fixing the rate of payment to be made, the meeting further agreed that seats long occupied hitherto by the same persons should not be interfered with by the churchwardens in the allotment of sittings by payment. The report of the Sunday School was received and discussed carefully by the meeting.

The election of churchwardens and vestrymen was then proceeded with, the Curate nominating Mr J. C. Tipping as clergyman's churchwarden, and Mr T. O'Farrell being unanimously elected to fill the office of parishioners' churchwarden. The following gentlemen were elected to serve on the vestry:—Messrs M. Dixon, Cottle, J. D. Dickinson, Blunden, H. J. Horrell, Turner, R. W. Chapman, H. Kingsbury, Cook and J. Frizell. Votes of thanks were heartily given to the outgoing church officers, to the two ladies who had kindly taken charge of the musical part of the church services, and to the Ladies' Sewing Society. EAST OXFORD. The annual parish meeting of St Andrew's, East Oxford, was held on Tuesday evening in the vestry. The chair was taken by the Rev J. Sheldon, and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read, the Treasurer, Mr Comyns, presented the balance-sheet, duly audited by Mr Ingram. The receipts for the year were shown to be £232, and the expenditure £229 16s 4d, leaving a balance in hand of £2 3s Bd. The report, as read, was accepted. The Chairman, in his address, referred to the heavy loss the Church had sustained during the last two years in the removal, by death and other causes, of several influential members and in consequence the fears entertained for the future maintenance of the services. He thought, however, that with the small liabilities, provided the usual Diocesan assistance were continued, the necessary funds would be raised. He urged upon all tho necessity of individual effort. A hearty vote of thanks was given to the retiring churchwardens and the vestry, and also to Messrs H. Mayo, J. Harbidge, and T. Beckett, for their valuable services as lay readers ; and also to the chc ir, the organist, and the Sunday school teachers. The meeting then proceeded to elect church officers. Mr W. Pearson and Dr Weld were elected Wardens of East Oxford: Mr Englebrecht, of Carleton; and Mr Marshall, of "View Hill. Messrs Lough, Mitchell, Strangman, Wilson, Meyer, Brine, and Mr Sladdeii (subject to his approval) were elected vestrymen for the ensuing year. .