The report and accounts having been in your hands for some time 1 presume they may be taken as read... The income during the past year has exceeded the expenditure by about Tls. 1,100, and I louk forward to even a more favourable balance during the current year. As stated in the report it is reposed to pay off the loan from the Opium fuge Fund, and for the first time in its history the Cathedral will be free from debt. Perhaps the most pleasant item in the accounts is the handsome addition to the Tawer and Spire Fund, which has put us. the Trustees in a position task for tenders the work. A tender has Leen received ugh Mr. Cory to erect the proposed tower, spire and extension of eluisters, using especially made bricks from the neighbuu hood, and including all that is necessary for the completion of the building in the most substantial manner for the sum of Tls. 9,950. Tothis must be added the cost of a circular iron stair from the ground to the first floor, the cross at the summit of the spire, and a lightning conductor, architect's ennui ete., bringing the total ta Ts. 10, or in round numbers Tls. 11,000. In Fe: ruary, 1890, the Trustees' received an actual tender fur the whole building which amounted to is. 8,992, but the materials to be used for foundations were broken brick and lime. In the present tender the ials will be chipped stone and cement, make & difference in cost of he Trustees are of opinion how-hat it would be false economy to enor materials in the for The funds in hand towards this expenditure now amouutto Tis, 6,700, and it will b necessary at some time during. next year to raise a loan for the balance of the contract. Io will take rather over a year to build.
The speaker concluded by moving the adoption of the report and accounts.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilkinson and carried.
Mr, Herrz asked if the pew-route could be reduced. They were at present extremely high, and if they were reduced perhaps lore peuple would take seats.
Mr. Wetcu said a good many of the seats were taken, Nearly all the new applications for seats were fur the dearer ones, which cost Tls. 18.75 a year, while very few people applied for the seats at Tis, 12 4 year. He was afraid the present rates could not be reduced to Tls. 12 all round, as it would make a difference of Tls. 1,000 a year.
Mr. McDoxatp asked how long the Tower and Spire Fund would be carried on. Ithad already taken some years to get Tls. 7,000 together, and ifan equally long time in proportion would be taken in getting the remaining funds, the building had better be postponed until there was more money in hai Mr. Hocosaid there were already sufficient funds to enable the tower and spire to be proceeded with for a considerable distance, The funds of the church itself, would be equal to meeting the deficiency. A portion of the expense might fairly fall upon those who might follow, the present subscribers having done their duty in finding Tls.7,000.
Mr. Bors asked if the Opium Refuge y' Fund loan would be paid off altogether this year. was Tls. 1,000 on deposit at the bank, and the, excess ut income. over expenditure during the coming year would prubsbly be Tls. 1.700, Mr. Bors—In that ease it will be only two or three years before the Toiver and Spire Fund is completed.
Mr. Hoaa—Yes; four years isan outside estimate.
Mr, Marswaut suggested that the chaplain should be approached on a eymewhat delicate matter—the length of his sermons. A number of the congregation were of opinion that the sermons at present were too long.
The Cuamsax thought this had better be left to the Truste Mz. MarsHAut replied that he mentioned the subject with that view.
On the motion of Mx, Bots, seconded by Mr. Maxsuatt, the Trustees were re-elected, Mr. Wercu sxid—The business of the meeting is now over, but I would detain pute while I ask you to join mo in thanking our Chairman, Or, Hughes, for his unvarying kindness and courtesy in presiding at our meetings. Wo all regret that this is the Inst meeting at which he will be Chairman, but we sincerely wish him and Mrs. Hughes a pleasant and suto voyage to their native land.
The Cuainmay briefly acknowledged the compliment and the meeting terminated,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.