MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 510, 20 January 1869, Page 2

MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

At a meeting of the parishioners of Christ Church, held last night in Mr Harding's rooms, the Rev Mr. Nicholls occupied the chair, and read the following statement from the Churchwardens :— # The state of the finances of this Church is such as to call for a very urgent appeal to all the Church members of the place, to enable the Parish Vestry to pay the Officers, and to shake off the burden of debt with which it is encumbered; and which, instead of becoming diminished, has, through unavoidable circumstances, increased from year to year. The_amount of debt incurred tip to Bee. 31st, 1868, is, in round numbers, £550; £155 o f which is due to the Minister ; and with the utmost economy, and with every possible reduction being made, the Vestry see no way of preventing a great increase in this debt, unless the Church members will raa'ce a vigorous effort, and clear it entirely away. During the .-seven years from 1861-2 to 1867-8, there was an annual average amount of £]01 accruing to the Parish from the S. P. G. grant .and Military Chaplaincy. That amount, is no longer available, and the deficiency has not been provided for. This is the principal cause of the present difficulty ; namely, that no strenuous efforts have been made to meet this deficiency. The sum necessary to provide for the decent celebration of Divine Service, during the present year, and also to relieve the parish from debt, is £fi9o ; whether that sum can be raised is at present uncertain, but it is hoped thut an attempt will be made to do something. It is estimated that about £350 may be calculated upon, according to the receipts of the past year, but there will then remain a debt of £340, to be dealt with at the end of the year. The only way in which this can be covered, is by the hearty exertions of the Parishioners themselves, exhibited in larger offertories and subscriptions. It may appear hard to ask the parishioners to make an extra effort during the present distress, but still the fact, remains unaltered, that the Vestry have not the means to meet theft liabilities, and they have no one to help them, except the Parishioners.

In consequence of the smallness of the attendance, there not being more than twelve people present, no resolutions were adopted, and the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next.