ST. MATTHEWS CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8387, 15 October 1890, Page 5

ST. MATTHEWS CHURCH.

A special meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew's Church was held yesterday evening in the schoolroom, Hobson-steet, to consider the advisability of building a new stone church in place of the present wooden structure. The Rev. Mr. Tebbs occupied the chair, and about 70 people were present.

After opening the meeting with prayer, Mr. Tubus explained that at the request of the vestry he had called the special meeting that evening in order that in compliance with the request made at the last general meeting the vestry should submit their scheme to the meeting for approval. Tho scheme was simple—much simpler than that brought before the parishioners on the former occasion, as it was confined to the question of building a stone church. They did not propose to take any other auestion into consideration that evening, "e • might say that for the last twelve months' the vestry had had the matter before them, and had unanimously decided in favour of the scheme. They now came before the meeting with the scheme, carried once more on their unanimous vote, for the approval of the parishioners. The last time they were gathered together a series of resolutions were passed to the effect that in the opinion of the vestry the time had now come when a stone church should be built on the allotments of land set apart for the purpose. The plans were those which nad been prepared nearly twenty years' ago by one of the first architects in England. These plans gave a church ample for their needs, and came within their means so far as to leave one-third of the fund in reserve. He might mention that a certain number of tho original contributors were still living, and they were all of opinion that the new church should be built at once. In order to put the question before the meeting ho moved, " That the approval of the parishioners be given to the resolution come to by the vestry to proceed at once to erect a new stone church."

The Parish Churchwarden, Dr. Hooper, seconded the motion.

Mr. Dawson said unless they saw the plans they could not say whether the church would suit the parishioners. Mr. Tkbbs said they had no further plans to lay before the meeting than those which had been approved by the parishioners many years ago, Mr. Dawson said he had brought some statistics to prove that they could not build anything like such a church as they proposed. Mr. Tkbbs said the church was estimated to cost at the outside £11, Mr. Dawson said a church to hold they wanted would cost double that sum. The Tabernacle cost £12,000.

Mr. Bridoewatkr said the question was simply whether they should build a new church, and not how much it was to cost.

Mr. Dawson said St. Benedict's Church had cost £15,500.

A' parishioner interjected that this was "all fudge." It had only cost £4,500. Mr. Tebbs said Mr. Mahoney had told him the contract for St. Benedict's was £14,500, but the present church itself was built for £7000.

Dr. Hooper said the accepted tender for St. Benedict's had been £5287, and it had been built as it now stood for £5487.

Mr. Tebbs said the sum in hand last December was £17,000, St. Benedict's cost £5000, and they proposed to spend £11,000. Mr. Bridokwater said they would never get on if they proceeded in this way. Mr. Tebbs said the vestry had gone on the plans approved by the parishioners 15 years ago, and after 12 months' consideration they had decided that the time had come to build the church. The original contributors to the fund had expressed their approval of this decision. That was why the matter was now submitted to the meeting. Mr. Massky wanted to know whether the present building was so dilapidated that it could not be repaired. Mr. Tebbs said it was in such a state that it would be folly to spend more on it than would make it serviceable till the new church was completed. The intention of the vestry was merely to patch it up till the new church was finished.

Mr. Massky said if it could be proved conclusively to the meeting that there was sufficient money in hand to build a new church the meeting might be able to vote for the pr oposition., but not otherwise. ! Mr. Tkkbs said the money had been given to build a stone church as soon as it reached a sufficient sum. The vestry had decided that the sum was now more than sufficient to build a church which would be an ornament to the city and a credit to the parish. Dr. Dawson said if they were to give an opinion thnt evening they should know something more about the scheme. They would want a new parsonage as well as a new church, and also a new schoolroom. The ground would also need to be handsomely fenced. There were a lot of odds and ends of expenditure besides the church it-self, and he did not think they could come to a vote on the question till they had more information about it. He did not think they shouli stir in the matter till they had ample means in hand. They had always looked forward to having a beautiful church, and it was in ornamentation that the money went. By and by also they would probably have a good many more parishioners than now, since it would be necessary to lessen the number of city churches, the attendance at them becoming poorer every day. He thought the fund should go on accumulating till they had not only sufficient for all their wants, bub also a surplus to set apart as an endowment fund to provide a portion of the minister's stipend, so that ho might have a decent income. Therefore lie did not think they were in a position to vote on the question without knowing something more about the scheme. He thought the meeting should give the vestry authority to have plana and specifications prepared so that the meeting might have something to go upon (applause). Mr. Tubus read a letter from the early contributors to the fund stating that they were desirous of seeing the new stone church erected as soon as possible. The whole of the old contributors still living were unanimous in desiring to see the new church erected. He (Mr. Tebbs) thought the wishes of the contributors should be considered. It was proposed to spend £11,000 on the church. This would leave, at the end of next December, about £7000. £2000 at the outside would do for the parsonage, and this would leave about £5000 for the endowment.

Mr. Wright also spoke. Mr. Pigott said he certainly would not vote for the scheme without knowing something more about it. He asked whether the cost of preparing plans and specifications could bo charged to tho fund ? Mr. Tkbbs said all such charges were to be defrayed out of the fund. Dr. Dawson then moved an amendment, That, as this meeting has not sufficient information before it, the vestry be authorised to call for plans and specifications for a new church and schoolhouse, and to submit tho same to a future meeting." Mr. Pigott seconded the amendment.

Mr. Tkbbs pointed out that they had already a plan which the parishioners had already approved of, and he did not see the necessity for getting another one. The question before the meeting was whether ley should build the new church or not. Mr. Massky heartily supported the amendment, as every parishioner would then have an opportunity of inspecting tho plans. Mr. Roberton said the question was simply whether the time had arrived to go on with the erection of the new church. (Applause.) After considerable further discussion, Dr. Dawson altered his amendment to the following :—" That the time has arrived to build a stone church, and provide for a parsonage, school-room, and endowment fund."

This was carried unanimously, 24 voting for and none against it. It was also resolved, that when the vestry are propared with plans, estimates, etc., they submit them to a general meeting of the parishioners."