MASTERTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7778, 23 June 1904, Page 5

MASTERTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Congregational and Social

Meeting.

Decided to Erect a New Church.

There was a large and representative attendance at the Congregational and Social Meeting in the Presbyterian Caurch, last evening. The Key. R. Wood occupied the chair. The meeting opened with the singing of a psalm and with prayer. Solos were sung by Messrs E. J. Young and A. Nicol (encored), Mrs F. W. G. McL9od and Miss Cameron (encored), and the Masterton Orchestral Society played a selection which received a well-deserved encore. Accompaniments were played by Misses Hogg and Chamberlain. Mr Yoang proposed a vote of thanks to the L ;dies' Sewing Guild, for the large amount of money they had raised for the Building Fund (nearly £300). Mr Kicol seconded, and the motion was carried by acclamation. Tne Chairman stated that the principal object of the meeting was to discuss the question of erecting a newchurch. He stated that when the proposal was brought before the congregation in 1897, many liberally subscribed towards the Building Fund. The report to be presented would gladden the hearts of everyone. The report of the Building Fund Committee was read by Mr Feist, Mr Gordon submitted a financial statement showing the money that could be raised at present for the erection of a new Church to be £1094. Mr Gordon proposed the following motion :—" That the report be received, and that a new Church be erected, the price not exceeding £2000, when twothirds of the cost is available." • Mr J as. Macara seconded the motion. Mr Jas. McGregor opposed the motion on the ground that it would involve the congregation in a heavy debit. Mr E. Feist moved as an amendment: "That the present Building Fund Committee be discharged, and further steps be delayed till the expiration of ten years." Mr Duncan McGregor seconded the amendment. Various other office-bearers spoke for and against the motion and amendment. When put to the meeting the motion was carried by 35 votes to 20, only about

one-third of the congregation recording

their votes. At the conclusion of the proceedings refreshments were handed round, and while these were being partaken of Messrs Levien and Henderson gave a number of grapnophone selections.

The meeting concluded by the pro nouncing of the Benediction.