congregation, and the general desire for improved accommodation, the necessity of taking steps for the enlargement of the old building or the erection of an entirely new one began to receive serious consideration about the beginning of 1869. In March of that year Mr E. Smith brought the matter under the notice of the Deacons' Court, but it was resolved to postpone action until it should be seen what effect the proposed erection of a church for North Dunedin and North-East Valley would have upon the attendance at Knox Church. A congregation was soon after formed at North Dunedin, to the pastorship of which the Rev. Dr Copland was called; but, although the new congregation was recruited to some extent from the membership of Knox Church, yet the necessity for increased accommodation continued as great as ever. The question of enlarging the old church or erecting a new one was discussed again and again at meetings of the office-bearers and the congregation; but nothing definite was agreed upon until May 1871, when it was decided by the congregation to erect an entirely new church in the following spring to accommodate about one thousand sitters. A subscription list was opened, and in the course of two months the sum of nearly £3000 was promised.
The question of site next received consideration, and it was ultimately resolved, at a congregational meeting held in August 1871, that the Deacons' Court should be authorised to purchase for this purpose the corner section adjoining the manse property, the consent of Mr Hyde Harris—the donor of the original church site—having first been obtained to the proposed change.[1] This property, including a
- ↑ The following information with regard to the holding of the title to church properties may prove of service to office-bearers of congregations:—At one time a difficulty arose and expenses were incurred in connection with the title to General Trust and congregational properties. The title to the property belonging to the whole Church was held in the names of seven trustees, and on the death or resignation of any one of these it was necessary to have a deed executed on the appointment of his successor. This deed had to be registered against the various lands belonging to the church so as to complete the title of the new trustees to the several properties. The title to church site, glebe, and manse of each congregation was held in the names of the members of the Deacons' Court of the congregation, and on the removal of any member of the Court by death or otherwise, it was necessary to have a deed executed to complete the title of the new deacon. These proceedings, both in the case of the General Trust and of Deacons' Courts, occasioned not only a good deal of trouble, but also much legal expense. Mr (now the Hon. W.) Downie Stewart, who was appointed solicitor to the General Trust Trustees in 1871, at once suggested an amendment of the law by which the Church Trustees and the members of the various Deacons' Courts should be incorporated as separate bodies for the purpose of rendering it unnecessary to have a fresh deed on every appointment of a new trustee or deacon. In the case of the Deacons' Court of Knox Church the changes in the personnel of its members through death and removal to other
