CHRIST CHURCH.

Northern Advocate, 1 September 1888, Page 3

CHRIST CHURCH.

PROPOSED SAT.X OF PKSONAGE. On Tuesday, the 28th August, a meeting of the congregation was held in the above church (Whangarei), to discuss the advisability of selling the Parsonage house and ground. The Rev. L. L. Cubitt, who occupied the chair, explained the object of the meeting. For some time back the churchwardens had been unable to pay the liabilities connected with the church. There was £300 owing on the parsonage, and the annnal charge on this amounted, with contingencies, to £30 per annum. The congregation were not able to pay this sum in addition to his stipend, and hence the present meeting. The chairman then called on Mr Corns to further explain matters. Mr Corns stated that they were positively unable to meet their liabilities, and he did not see much prospect of improvement for a time at least. If the property was sold not only would they be relieved of this payment of £30 per annum, but the balance of the money might be put out at interest to still further relieve them. The house now wanted improvements, and all they had in hand for that purpose was £4. The congregation had first to decide whether they would sell, and the price could be fixed afterwards. In answer to a question put by Mr Steadman, the chairman stated that he had spent between £50 and £100 upon the house, and it wanted another £100 now. He also explained that the parsonage had nothing whatever to do with the church of England.

After the matter had been discussed for some time, the following motion was formally proposed by Mr A Thomas, and seconded by Mr E. O. "Weaver :— " That the place be sold; that the price be fixed by the congregation ; and that Mr Cubitt get the refusal." This motion was carried unanimously. Mr Comes then stated that £500 had been offered by Mr Cubitt, who explained that he had consulted several gentlemen land agents and others, and the highest price estimated by any of them was £500. He therefore thought it was a fair offer. Another general discussion then took place, some of the congregation expressing an opinion that £500 was not enough, while others thought it was, and Mr A. Thomas reminded the meeting that Mr Cubitt had spent money on the property when the congiegation •were not able to do so. To test the feeling of the meeinga formal motion proposed by Mr H. Steadman, and seconded by Mr D. C. Wilson, " That the price be not less than £550." The following amendment was then proposed by Mr H. Reid, and seconded by Mr A. Thomas :— " That Mr Cubbit's offer of £500 be accepted." The amendment and motion were thon put to the meeting, and the motion was carried. " That the price be not less than £550. Mr O'Hailoran was then elected as trustee in place of Mr H. Culpan, who resigned, and the meeting terminated.