ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2797, 15 January 1873, Page 3

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

The annual general meeting of the parishioners of this church was held last evening, in St. Matthew's School-room, tfobson-street, —the incumbent of the Church, the Rev. David Jones, in the chair. About forty parishioners were present. The following report was read : — " Finance.—The total income of the parish, from all sources, amounted to £1247 9s 9d, including a balance of £141 9s 8d from previous year ; and it will be observed that the §um of £63 19s 8d has been received from the Archdeaconry Fund, towards the minister's stipend, which now appears in a more intelligible form than heretofore, and also shows the necessity of a re-adjustment of the arrangement by which a fixed amount is at present paid to All Saints' Church, irrespective of the yield to Lhe parent parish of St. Matthew's; and it is hoped that at the next meeting of the Synod the division of the fund will be settled upon a more equitable basis. The General Offertory Account shows a decrease of about £12 for the year, and the Vestry feel that they would be wanting in their duty if they omitted to urge upon their fellow-parishioners the necessity of endeavouring, not only to maintain the average of the previous twelve months, but also to augment it bo as to meet the heavy expenditure of the ensuing year, in painting, re-shingling, and ventilating the church. It ie u well-known fact that a large number of persons are in the habit of attending the church who from one year's end to the other scarcely contribute anything towards the expenses of the establishment, and it is, therefore, hoped that by every member making it a rule to contribute something according to his means every week, the office-bearers will be enabled to maintain the decency and order which the holy eervice« of the church deserve at the hands of those who value their privileges. The special collections in the parish during the past year show an increase; and the income derivable from seat rents is in advance of the previous twelve months. Bell.—Among the disbursements will be observed the sum of £50 8s 4d, for a church bell, which has been imported to order of the Vestry, a turret for which is proposed to be erected on the west gable of the church. The above amount has been paid out of the sum due by the Church to the Bell Fund, thereby reducing the liability under this head. Parsonage.—The exceptional outlay upon these premises became imperatively necessary, from the insufficient accommodation afforded, and tho bad state of repair which the building had gradually fallen into.' A large room has been added, and the whole re-ahingled, painted, and put iu thorough repair. The day-schools, under the management of Mr. Andrews and Mrs. Gingel, continue to give general satisfaction, and number 190 pupils. The Sunday-school, with a muster-roll of 40]., under the super' intendence of Mr. Nolan, maintains an average attendance of 276 scholars. The Vestry tender their warmest thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who devote their time to this department of the Church's work; their grateful ackowledgments are also due to the members of the choir for their valuable assistance in this branch of Divine worship. Aβ tho painting, re-shingling, and other work required by the church, together with, the addition of a bell-turret, Trill exceed the

amount at the disposal of the Veetry for the ensuing year, it will, therefore, be necessary for the parishioners at the annual meeting to devise some means for meeting the required outlay. In concluaion, the "Vestry have to add that thoy think, on reviewing the paet year, they have sufficient cause to adopt a tone of congratulation in reference to the progross of parish affairs generally, and they now invite their fellow-parishionera to join with them in thankful recognition of God's goodnpes as the source whence our prosperity has proceeded, and in humble prayer that the Divine blessing may continue to rest on the work going on in this portion of the Lord's vineyard.

" Receipts.—Balance in Union Bank, £141 9s 8d ; offertory, general, £533 2s 10d j total special collections, £200 19s ; pew rents and arrears, £305 15s 6d ; Archdeaconry fund, £63 19s 3d ; sale of old matting, £2 3s 6d. Total, £1247 9s SM.

" ABSKTS —By cash in Union Bank, £23 16s lid ; by pew rents outstanding December 31, 1872, £4 5s ; by balance of liabilities over assets, £115 ss. Total, £143 6s lid.

" Tub Trustees op St. Matthew's Stone Chuhcu Building Fund. —Dr.: To amount in hand 30fch Deceinbor, 1871, £137 5s 10d; investments on landed security ditto, £3895 ; donation, £10; interest on iuvestinents, £3GS 16s 10d. Total, £4111 2a Bd.—Cr. : By paid insurance on investments, £2 12s 6d j paid commission on collecting interest, £18 8s 10d; paid Cochrane, commission and advertising Mullins's mortgage, £10 ; invested on landed security, £4335 ; araovnt in hand, £45 Iβ 4d. Total, £4411 2s Bd.

" Expenditure. — Sundry disbursements, us per statement, £1223 12s 10d ; balance, €23 16s lid. Total, £1247 9s 9d.

" Liabilities.—To amounu duo to Bell Fund and interest to 31st December, 1872, £142 2s lid ; Upton and Co., £1 4s. Total, £143 6s lid.

" Bell Funj.—Amount in Savings Bank, £29 9s Id ; lent to General Church Account, £185 15s lid ; less cost of bell, £50 8s 4d ; twelve months' interest at five per cent., £6 15s 4d. Total, £171 125.-Auckland, December 31, 1872."

—Mr. Burtt moved the adoption of the report. —Seconded by Captain Williams, and agreed to. —The adoption of the financial statement was moved by Mr. Doonin, and agreed to.— The election of churchwardens and vestrymen was next proeederi with. Dr. Hooper was elected clcrginen's warden, and Mr. Upton parishioners' warden. The following gentlemen were elected on the vestry:—Capt. Williame, and Messrs. Burtt, Brigham, Doouin, Henderson, At kin, Cameron, Carr, J. C. Morrin, and Nolan.—Mr. Burtl then brought before the notice of the meeting the question of the repairs and alterations of the church, viz, the painting, re shingling, and building of a bell tower. —Mr. Doonin moved, " That the sum of £400 be borrowed from the standing committee of the diocese for three years, for the purpose of carrying out the proposed improvements."—Mr. Cadmau opposed the borrowing of the money for thii term, being assured that it could be repaid in twelve months.—After considerable discussion the motion was carried. —Col. Haultain proposed that a further sum of £150 be borrowed, for the purpose of altering the north trancept for the accommodation of the organ.—After some discussion, the motiou was negatived.—Mr. Cadinan then brought forward his annual motion with regard to the abolition of seat rents ; but after some discussion, on being put to the meeting, it was lost by 15 votes to 23. —On the motion of Mr. Doonin, it was resolved that Mr. Jones' stipend should be £100 for the ensuing year.—A vote of thanks was then passed to Mr. Thomas Weston for hi* management as one of the trustees of tho Building Fund.— The usual vote of thanks having been accorded to the choir, the proceedings terminated.