CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, BLENHEIM.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 114, 25 April 1868, Page 3

CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, BLENHEIM.

The Annual Meeting of Church members was held in the Council Chamber on Thursday evening last. After engaging in prayer, the Rev. H. F. Butt, addressed the meeting. He alluded to several futile efforts which had been made to get the Bishop to constitute the present Mission district a parish, and trusted that when Bishop Suter arrived, which would be in about a month, some steps would be taken to further the matter. The accounts were then read as follows :

.£174 19 9 Received and passed. Hexky F. Butt, Chairman. On the motion of Mr. Wemyss, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was resolved —“That the accounts now read be received by the meeting.” In reply to various questions, it was elicited that there was a sura of £42 in hand, besides pew rents in arrear to the amount of £29. Mr. Wemyss moved—“ That Messrs. Hodson and Dobson be re-elected Church officers for the ensuing year.” In doing so, he paid a high tribute of praise to those gentlemen for their assiduity during their late term of office. Air. Aloffitt, in seconding the resolution, heartily coincided in the remarks made by the mover. Mr. Aloffit was also re-elected Auditor for the., ensuing year ; and votes of thanks were passed/ to Messrs. Hodson and Dobson, as well as to Air. Carey for conducting the choir. On the motion of Air. Hodson, seconded by\ Air. Elliott, it was resolved —“That the Church! officers be instructed to insure the Alinister’s life! for the sum of .£250.” Alluding to the subject of the enlargement of the church, Air. Dobson said he believed the proposed plan would cost from £l5O to .£l7O, but a portion might be undertaken at present, as being more in accordance with the means at their command ; he still hoped that the arrangements which were interrupted by the late Hood would be resumed on the arrival of the Bishop. Some of tiie persons present expressed an opinion that the enlargement was not so much required as had been supposed, and it was urged that the church site ought to be fenced in, especially as other denominations were pursuing a similar course A motion was made on the subject, and a subscription was instituted for the purpose, which it was understood should have the attention of the Church officers if possible before the arrival of the Bishop. The subject of the formation of a parish was also considered, and in reply to Mr. Aloffitt, the Chairman stated in effect that the present officers performed the duties of Churchwardens, but there would be an increase of responsibility. The Churchwardens with the Vestry would have the power of electing a Minister and providing for his support. The question then dropped, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.

Church of the Nativity, Blenheim. Dr. £ s. 4. To balance from late officers - 5 12 0 Offertories for 1867 - 46 5 11 Ditto for 1868 to 19th April- - 31 11 7 Seat rents for 1867 - 49 10 0 Ditto for 1868 - 25 10 0 Special offertories in aid of music - 1 19 6 Ditto general Church fund • - 2 0 4 Ditto sick fund - - 3 2 8 Subscription for bell turret - - 7 3 0 Ditto, repair of harmonium - - 1 0 0 Donation .... - 0 0 9 Sale of Hymn Books - - 1 4 0 £174 19 9 Cb. £ s. D. By Ministers stipend- - 75 0 0 General Church fund - - 2 0 4 Aid of Synod expenses - 3 19 4 Sick fund - - - - 3 2 8 C. Griffiths, for music - i 19 6 Erection of bell turret - - 21 0 9 Mrs. Simmonds, cleaning, &c. - 6 2 0

J. Williams, erecting locker in porch - - - • 1 0 0 J. Williams, bell-ringing 7 10 0 Cleaning Church after hood - 1 11 0 Hymn Books - 2 6 6 Advertising- - 1 6 0 Nosworthy Bros. - 3 19 0 Litchfield - 0 15 6 Repair of harmonium 0 ■ 7 G Stamps 0 4 6 Balance at Bank of New Zealand - 42 15 1