19030403 3rd April 1903 General Vestry meeting

The Annual Vestry was held on 3 April 1902

The very Revd. the Dean of Dromore in the Chair - Also present, Revd. Canon Blacker, Revd. W. J. Grey, N. R. Atkinson - James Wilson - James Collins - Thos. Stothers - Jos Murray - Wm. McCain - Geo Calvert - John Montgomery - Jos Meorno - Jas Albin - Robert Gracey - John Lavery - John, Geo, Gracey - Thomas Martin - Wilson Irwin

The accounts for the year to Easter were read and explained by the Dean.

The ballot for the new Vestry resulted In the election of the following - James Collins - Thos. Stothers - Jas Murray Geo Calvert – John Montgomery - Jas Albin – John Lavery - Thos. Martin - Wilson Irwin - John George Gracey - Thos. Gilpin - Wm. J. McDowell.

Mssr Atkinson & Monro, outgoing churchwardens were reappointed.

The Dean announced the following contributions had been made to him for the purpose of enabling him to provide a second Curate - namely, from Diocesan Council Superanuation Fund £50 and from Representative Live Body £40.

A discussion took place as to the date at which the Sustentation Fund Subscriptions should be collected, the present arrangement of allowing them to run to Easter being inconvenient. It was decided that in future Subscriptions be considered due on each 1 November and that the account be closed 31 December, so as to conform with the Diocesan Scheme. Mr Atkinson gave wishes that at next … Vestry meeting he would propose this change.

Mr Wilson Irwin handed in list of Subscriptions to Organ Fund, amounting to £13.12.0.

The following Resolution was proposed by Rev. Canon Blacker, seconded be Thos. Stothers and passed unanimously that the members of this Vestry render their sincere congratulations to their esteemed Rector, on the recognition be the Diocesan Council of the Venerable Dean’s valuable Services to the Church in the Diocese of Dromore and the Parish of Seagoe. This recognition is evidenced by the very liberal arrangements proposed to be made by the Diocese Council for the purpose of securing a second Curate to aid the Dean in the discharge of his duties in this large and important Parish.

While expressing their great satisfaction at this proof of the esteem in which their beloved Rector is held by the Diocese at large, the members of this General Vestry also desire to express their gratitude to the Diocese Council for their generous offer of an annual grant of £50 from the Diocese Council and a probable further grant of £40 from the Representative Body, as requested by the Council from that Board -

The Vestry now pledge themselves to raise a further loan of £30 to complete the arrangements for providing a second Curate for the Parish of Seagoe, the above proposed grants of £90 being conditional on the Parish providing this further contribution of £30.