cottage and other buildings erected on it, was purchased for £550. It was decided at the same time to retain the old church building for Sabbath School and other useful purposes. Competitive designs for the new church were called for, and other steps taken to give effect to the decision of the congregation. But insuperable difficulties, which it is now quite unnecessary to describe in detail, arose in connection with the erection of a new church according to the plan first adopted, and it was not until April 1874 that the erection of the present building was begun according to plans and specifications prepared by Mr R. A. Lawson, who had been appointed architect.
The Building Committee charged with the carrying on of the work was composed of Messrs W. N. Blair (convener), E. B. Cargill, J. T. Mackerras, Gilbert Matheson, and George Turnbull. Mr Matheson rendered valuable service for a time as treasurer until his departure on a visit to the Home Country, when Mr Walter Hislop was appointed in his place. The committee found it advisable to let the work by separate contracts, all of which were fulfilled in a satisfactory manner. The principal contracts were as follow:—Foundations, Mr D. McGill; walls and spire, Mr W. Mercer; slating, Mr G. S. Williden; seating, Mr J. Gore; painting, Mr H. S. Fish, jun.; plastering, Messrs Philps and Edmunds; plumber work, Messrs A. and T. Burt; windows (lead lights), Mr T. H. Johnson; stairs and railings, Mr Julius Alberti; stone carving, Mr L, Godfrey; wood carving, Mr R. Francis. Carpenter and other work was executed by day labour. Mr R. A. Lawson, the architect, superintended the whole of the work of
districts were frequent. Under Mr Stewart's amendment of the law the title to the property is held in the name of "The Deacons' Court of Knox Church Incorporated," and the title continues good under this name irrespective of changes, however numerous, in the membership of the Court. It was some time before Mr Stewart's suggestion was acted upon, but ultimately it was referred to him and the Rev. William Gillies, now of Timaru, to prepare a Bill to be submitted to the Legislature. Mr Stewart, in conference with Mr Gillies, prepared and carried through "The Presbyterian Church of Otago Incorporation Act, 1875," and under this Act the trustees of the general property of the Church are created a corporate body under the title of "The Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property," and the members of any Deacons' Court may apply to be made a corporate body under this Act. Once the property belonging to a congregation is transferred to the Deacons' Court under its incorporated title, the property remains for all time unaffected by any changes that may take place in the membership of the Court. The effect of this important amendment of the law has been to save yearly a large amount of legal expenses to the General Trust funds, and to the several Deacons' Courts that have applied to be incorporated under the Act. Mr Stewart's Act was confined to the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, but its principle has since been adopted by other churches in this colony and elsewhere.—D.M.S.
