ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4023, 9 January 1875, Page 5 (Supplement)

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

Tlieannualmeetingof thccongregationofAll Saints' Church took placciu the school-room on Thursday evening. The Rev. R. L. Stanford occupied the chair, and about twenty gentlemen wtra present. The minutes of the previous yearly meeting were read by Mr D'Arcy Haggitt, and continued. The Chairman said that on thoss occasions it had been his usual custom to say something about the more important part of their Church work during the. year. Under God's blessiug the work of the parish was being conducted satisfactorily. He was happy to thinlc that in almost every branch there was either a slight or a larger increase. Referring t> the Wednesday evening services, he trusted that they would be batter attended during the present year thau formerly. With regard to their improvements, he would bo most ungrateful were ho not to express his heartfelt thanks to those who had been engaged with him during the pass year. He specially referred to the serv;Ce3 reudeied by Mr Lubecki, and thought they would never have a more energetic ant) earnest member than that gentleman. Ho (the Chairman) thought it would be desirablo to elect three or four new members to the Vestry e.\ch year. Mr M'Laren had kindly consented to act as clergyman's churchwarden for the year 1575. Mr Lubecki, referring to t c financial po. sition of the Church, said that the Treasurer (Mr Ja;k) had been called away very suddenly t*> the North, and consequently they were unable to pivseiit the usual b.iiaucesheet. Mr Jack expected to return in about a fortnight. Mr Leak y enquired whether members of the Vegtry had any idea as to the state of the funds, Mr Lucecki thought the deficiency for the past year was about £150. The organ was sold for £65, but ouly £00 had been lvcuived, as the Roy Mr Beaumont would not allow the Churchwardens of the Lawrence Church to pay the balance. A letter had been forwarded to Mr Beaumont on the subject. Mr Leahy : How about the late bazaar ? Mr Lubecki replied that they could not give any statement as to tho actual receipts of the bazaar at present. After paying all expenses, there would be a net result of £430 or £140. The expenditure w;is inueh higher than they anticipated. It would be for the Vestry to say how that money ahould be appropriated, but he thought it should be handed to the Building Fund. PAKISII CHUKCIIWAKDEN. Mr Hagoitt jn'oposed, and Mr Leaky see uded—"That Mr Lubecki be re-ap-pointed Parish Chui chwarden for the ensuing year." 'i'iio motion., vyas carried una^iaiqusly; THE VESTRY. Fifteen gentlemen were nominated as members of the Vestry, and a ballot was taken, which resulted in the election of the following :—Messrs Black, Doughty, Haggitt, Howlison, Jack, Lsary, Mearcs, Macgeorge. am] Watsojj. THE CLERGY MAJNTENENCK I'OXP. Mr Doughty moved—"That it be an instruction to tho Vcslry to discontinue the offertory ou the first Sunday in each mouth towards the Clergy Maintenance Fund." Mr Leahy seconded tho motion. Mr Lubecki said that the offertories paid ijito thp CJergy Maintenance Fund were divided between the various ministers yearly. Besides this offertory they hal special collections in All Saints' Chinch fov the Melancsian Mission, the Benevolent Asylum, and the Sunday School. It occurred to some membe-s of the congregation that they should be just before they wcie gc-neiwis. They w.ery now ij; arrear to. thp gxtynt of £150. If they were in a position to pay their own way he would have no objection to assist their poorer brethren. Mr Ho^gkixs referred to the time when All Saints' Church wag in an indifferent position, and greatly assisted by St. Paul's congregation. Jlo took exception to one of the most important parishes in the district withholding its 'contribution tiO the CJergy Maintenance Fund, because ifc would hav^'a very bad effect. With tho iuerutso of population they would have tho means of tiding over their present 'Jifficulty. He trusted they would not make the deficit an excuse for withdrawing their contribution to the Clergy Maintenance Fund. Tp CjiAijiiiAN, in rtp.lying to a query whether it' was optional'for tlie pnrish to contribute to the Clergy Maintenance Fund, said it wa,«i a difficult 'question. He was, however, inclined to answer in the a(lirmativo, Mr Tubecki said that Bishop Nevill ruled at the last Synod that the Vestry had the option to refuse to contribute to the Clergy Maintenance Fund. The motion was carried. After some further discussion, it wcr? resolveO—"T'hat^he Vsstry be authorised, to, pay to the Rev. R. L. Stanford, in addition to his stipend, a sum equivalent; to the amount he would have received" had the parish of All Saint,' c mtribute'd to the' Clergy Maintenance Fund,." The meeting thru adjourned until s, day to be njiased by the Vestry,