BISHOP COWIE'S VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1321, 16 December 1880, Page 2

BISHOP COWIE'S VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE.

Bishop Cowie, whose visit to the Waikato has been alluded to on various occasions in our columns, reached Cambridge the afternoon of Friday, and since then has been employing his time in a variety of ways, forwarding the interests of this porticfci of the diocese. As already announced, he officiated on Sunday at the morning and evening services in 8. Andrews Church, and, in the afternoon, at Hautapu. We have only to add to what has been already stated that the Sunday evening's service was enlivened by a full choral service rendered by the choir of the Church, under the direction of Mr .1. A. Beale, the organist. This portion of the service comprised hymn No. 30."), " Saviour Blessed Saviour," from A. and M. sung as a processional. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis snug to two Gregorian tones in unison, t an anthem selected from Spohrs " Last Judgment "' containing a tenor solo well i taken by Mr H. W. Moore and concluding with the nnaccompanied chorus, "Holy, Holy, Holy. " During the collection two offertory sentences were sung, and at the conclusion of the service, "Lead Kindly Light " was very nicely rendered by the members of the choir after which His Lordship pronounced the Benediction, and the large congregation which occupied every seat in the Church, dispersed to the grand tones of Beethovens Hallelujah chorus from '• the Mount of Olives," By way of according to bis Lordship, a suitable reception a

Garden Party was arranged. The original intention was, that it should take place the afternoon of Saturday but, in consequence of theinoleinency of the weather it was unavoidabty postponed till the afternoon of Monday. By that time the weather had cleared up, and although cooler than it had been, it was, nevevDheless, dry and bright. The gathering took place in the grounds adjoining the private residence ot Major Wilson ; a spot in many respects admirably adapted for a purpose of the kind. Two hundred and fifty invitations, are said to have been issued, and, so far as we can ascertain, these muse have been very generally responded to. The afternoon was pleasantly spent. Major and Mrs. Wilson's efforts to promote the enjoymont of their guests being conspicuously displayed. After the visitors had been presented to his Lord&hip tho Bishop, lawn sports and other recreations, suitable to the occasion, were largely patronised and, altogether the gathering proved a most enjoyable one. The Cambridge Reed Band was in attendance the melodies discoursed by which did much to promote the harmony of the proceedings. The grounds themselves are pleasantly situated in the vicinity of the township, on a piece of terraced land leading down to the banks of the river. The situation has many valuable advantages, which the spirited owner, by judicious manipulation and improvement, has succeeded in rendering about one of the sweetest rustic retreats that could well be desired. In landscape gardening the grounds are likewise well displayed, the whole combining elegance with good taste. Before retiring the company assembled in front of the house, and, on the invitation of the Bishop, accorded three hearty good cheers for the host and hostess.

Meeting of Parishoners. A Meeting of Parishoners was held during the afternoon. It was at first intended the meeting should be held in Major Wilson's private residence, but, in consequence of the large muster, coupled with the pleasant aspect of the weather, it took place in the open air. The Bishop, who presided, briefly narrated the objects of the meeting, after which the Treasurer, (Mr Wells, ) gave a detailed statement of accounts connected with the projected new building. The contract price was set down at £1677 ; seats and furnishings, £150 ; land, £100 ; fencing, £50 j architects expenses, £84 ; contingences £59 ; making the total estimated cost £2100. The debit side of the amount was stated to be— cash on hand, £158 12s Id; amount paid on land, £20; donation from the Society for the propogation of Christian Knowledge, £100; weekly subscriptions due, £56 ; donations promised, £405 ss ; donation, standing committee, £600; Total, £1339 17s Id, leaving a deficiency af £760 2s lid to be provided for. He (Mr Wells) added—" This deficiency is he matter you will have to deal with. It will be for you to decide whether the vestry shall go on as proposed ; accept a tender from those sent in or not. The Bishop put various questions with the view of eliciting information as to whether or not it waa proposed to proceed

with the entire edifice as shown on the {dans at once, or merely a portion of the milding sufficient to provide the requisite accommodation for congregational gatherings in the meantime, leaving the spire and other accessories to be completed at some future date. The Rev. Mr Willis said what they had to keep in view in considering the propriety of proceeding with only a portion of the projected building in the h'rst instance was, whether that would not amount to a breach of faith with the parties who had subscribed on the faitli of the building as shown on the plans being carried out in its integrity. Some of these subscribers resided in England, and many of them lived outside the district altogether. He was aware, of his own knowledge, of cases in which larger subscriptions had been promised on account of the substantial character of the building proposed; and these parties would naturally feel tl.at faith had not been kept with them if the Committee now took upon itself any departure from the plans. Mr Wells concurred in that opinion, and read a resolution adopted by the Vestry, showing that the plans now before the meeting had been adopted. Such being the case, he contended that they were committed to the erection of a building in accordance with these plans, and that any departure from them would be a breach of faith on the part of the Vestry Committee. His Lordship : A permanent departure would, I can conceive, amount to such, but that is not what we are asked to consider. What we are assuming is that the plan as proposed will be carried out in its entirety, but that in the meantime and until the circumstances are more propitious the carrying out of a portion of the plan should be delayed. In other words, the question simply resolves itself into this : would a delay in carrying out any portion of the plans as submitted be regarded as a breach of faith by the subscribers ? Mr Wells apprehended it would, and in expressing that opinion, he stated that he had probably had more to do with collecting subscriptions, than any other man in the place. He quite believed that the bulk of the subscribers would ask for their subscriptions back, if only a portion of the building: were erected, and even if they did not go the length of asking for their return, they would, as a building committee, be in honor bouud to tender their return. That was the moral aspect of the question, it had also a commercial view, to which he referred. In doing so he asked His Lordship if, in the event of only part of the building being gone on with, would the same amount of help be obtained from the Trust Fund, as if the entire building was erected ? His Lordship : The Trust would contribute in proportion to the amount collected. Mr Wells : Would tbey give the £100, if only a portion of the building was erected, just the same as if the entire building was erected ? His Lordship : Oh, no. Mr Wells : The £700 deficiency is exactly oiitf- third of the whole amount required, so that if we do not raise it, this item of £100 will be reduced in proportfon. Then ag-iin, if we erect a smaller building, I am quite sure many of the subscriptions promised will not be forth' coming. In that case, the amount that will be available is not likely to be more than one-half the amount, proposed to be expended under the present estimate. He thought means might be devised for providing the amount still deficient. There were in the district 100 heads of families understood to be connected with the Church of England ; at till events, that was the number of invitations understood to have been issued for this gathering. Now, if each of these would undertake to subscribe a sum of £4, that would more than meet existing difficulty. It would not .be a very great sacrifice on the part of these 200 per-ons. They merely represented heads of families, and not the families themselves He would be delighted to make one of four, or say five, who would make themselves responsible for the deficiency. Mr R. H. I). Fergusson thought it would be unwise to go on with the building as proposed. Before doing so, they should have the money providpcl for. It should either be at their credit in the bank, or at all events, they should h.ive it promised by way of subscription or otherwise. In the present state of their finaneas, they had no money to spend on useless ornamentations, and he considered the tower might very well be dispensed with, at least, for the present. Rev. Mr. Willis said a sum equal to £700 had been contributed by sixty subscribers, several of whom resided outside Cambridge. Such being the case, he could not see that there would be any very great difh'cu'ty, in raising the deficiency amongst the 230 resident families, and their friends. Thpn again, it had to be borne in mind that, if they failed to make good this deficiency, it would materially affect the subscription? already promised. For example, one subscriber to the extent of £30, had given his name conditionally on £900 to the credit of the amount being placed in the bank. If they failed in collecting that amouut, this subscription would be lost. Mr. Hicks suggested they might resort to borrowing, with the view of making good the deficiency. Mr. Fergusson demurred to burrowing at all events, to any borrowing, in excess of one-t\iird of the entire cost. Mr Hicks, in further explanation, stated that the population of the district had progre&scd rapidly within the p isfc few years, so much so that, whereas thov had experienced difficulty iv paying 1 their clergyman £40, now they were enabled to give him £230. The district population was still on the increase, and he thought it was nothing but right that they should make those who might come afterwards bear a fair .share of the burden. That could only be done by having recourse to the borrowing process The Rev. Willis said funds might be raised on the art union principle. There were gentlemen in the place who had promised to organise a scheme of that kind. For instance, one farmer had promised to derote a fat bullock, another a plough, and so on. He was quite sure a sum of not le«s than £300 might be raised by that means. The Bishop justified that mode of raising funds for Church purposes by soriptural references to the customs adopted by the Ancient Jewish Church. Mr Fergusson having reiterated his opinion that in the meantime the tower and other accessories might be dispensed with, Mr Willis said he very much objected to half measures in the matter of buildings. His experience was that, incomplete buildinjrs, however good the intention might be when they were entered upon, generally remained incomplete. The Bishop remarked that the present building was utterly inadequate to the requirements of the case, and hoped if they determined not to go on with a new building, no time would be lost in adopting measures for enlarging the accommodation provided by the present Church. Mr Fergusson thought it would be a very great mistake to make any additions on their expenae in attempting to improve the present building. To bring the general question to an issue, he concluded by moving that th» veatry be authorised to invite fresh tenders for erection of a new building, minus the towor.

The motion was seconded by Mr Jtiiotcs. Mr Ileaney moved as an amendment, " That the whole matter be referred back to the Vestry Committee to ascertain what reduction in the tenders can be made, with power to convene :i meeting at some future date, to coiibider the results arrived at," The amendment having been seconded by Mr Wells, was put and carried, find The proceedings concluded witii a vote of thanks to the Bishop.