ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7227, 29 April 1884, Page 6

ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS.

ST MATTHEW'S. The annual gathering of parishioners was held last week, after the harvest thanksgiving evensong. There was a good attendance. The Eev E. A. Mortimer, who presided, said the balance-sheet was gratifying. They had met all the current expenses of the year, notwithstanding the hard times. He spoke very highly of the self-denying energy of the church officers, and the general good feeling with which their efforts had been supported. A parish day school had just been started, with every probability of success. He had previously said that he regarded such an institution as a necessary branch of parish work ; it was due to Christian parents, and required by resolutions of Synod. The master would reside at the parsonage, and the fees would be kept as low as 6d a week. Working people could hardly afford to pay more, unless the present heavy taxes for secular education were omitted or modified. He referred to his recent indisposition, but hoped not to leave for change or rest till well represented by a resident clergyman in charge. He trusted that, if he were spared, one of his first duties on returning would be again to enlarge the church. , Before dispersing, those present joined in singing the doxology. HOLY TRINITY CHUECH, LYTTELTON. The animal meeting of this parish took place on Jriday night, at 7.30 p.m., in the Sunday school building ; present—Eev J. Tewnsend and Messrs Da we, Allwright, Graham, Witby, Ward, Helps, Spencer, Joyce, Knight,* Rogers, Willcox, and Bouse. The meeting was opened with prayer, after whiehi Dr Bouse, Ministex-'s churchwarden, reall bis report as follows.- — "The churchwardens, at the close of their year of office, are happy to report that, thanka to the funds placed at the vestry's disposal, as the result of the late bazaar, and also to the kind efforts of the lidies by whose exertions that fund has since been supplemented, the church is in a thorough and muchneeded state of repair and renovation. They regret, however, that it is their duty, on tlte other hand, to point out, to the parishioners, that the balance-sheet evinces the. fact that the ordinary expenses of the pari )h have, within the past year, exceeded i s income from ordinary sources, by about, in round numbers, ,£7O; and that, for s< me years past, there has been a gradually increasing deficit. It will be a matter for serious consideration what means are io be employed for carrying on the work of the parish. While fully recognising the Jact that there is, and has been for some time past, a season of depression, affecting tliis town as well as the rest of the Colony, it is beyond a doubt that if all those residents, who profess to belong to the English Church, would assist according to their ability, in its support in their parish, there would be ample means for carrying on tho services, and no need for special appeals. As it ia now, there must bo either an increase in revenue or a diminution in expenditure, and we can only trust that the necessity of the lattor will be averted by increased interest taken by those who at present give little or nothing towards the services of the church."

Mr Dawe, parishioners' churchwarden, read tho annual balance-sheet, showing— Eeceipts, ,£347 lis Bd, and expenditure for the year, Ml 5 17s 2d, leaving a deficit of -*6B 5s Gd as the result of the year's finance.

Mr Ward proposed and Mr Witby seconded—" That the report and balancesheet be adopted." Mr Joyce asked if the last quarter's stipend had boon paid to the Incumbent, and was answered in the affirmative. Mr Graham thought that tho accounts should be poatod up°in the church porch. He would movo that this be done. Several members spoke of the small amounts contributed by people who could well afford to pay more. J A J. no Ruv Incumbent volunteered to guarantee the organist's salary for tho year.

Mr Knight* (organist) would bo. willing himself to pay the choir boys their gratuities.

The meeting, while thanking those S en * lein en» declined to allow this. Mr Nalder B aid that if the church members were only to think that they might lose, tho music from their church

services if they did not contribute more readily to their support, it might have the desired effect.

Mr Allwright spoke of the unfortunate stato of tho balance-sheet, and stated that unless those who belonged to the Lyttolton Church showed more interest in the financial condition of their parish they could scarcely holdout for another year. Mr Nalder pointed out that tho average donations to the offertorioß at the services was 2£d per head. He thought that a few members of the church giving large amounts would not have tho effect of making those who gave nothing put their hands into their pockets. In his knowledge, numbers of persons who could afford to give half-a-crown weekly gave but threepence.

Tho report was moved and adopted. Dr House was chosen incumbent's churchwarden, and Mr Wilfred Ward parishioners' churchwarden.

The following gentlemen were elected vestrymen, a proposal to make the number ten being negatived:— Messrs Witby, Nalder, Dawe, Allwright, Eogers, and Owen. Messrs Cotton and WiUcox were elected auditors for the coming year. Tho meeting closed with a number of votes of thanks.