ST. PETER'S AKAROA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 376, 27 February 1880, Page 2

ST. PETER'S AKAROA.

We have been requested to give publication to the following memorial regarding the projected removal of the Rev. H. Stocker from Akaroa :— " At a full vestry meeting, held on the 23rd inst, at St. Peter's Church, Akaroa, it was resolved that Messrs Aylmer, Penlington, and Fenton draw up the following statement and forward it to the Lord Primate of New Zealand. "The Most Rev. the Primate of New Zealand. " Your Lordship,—At a meeting of the vestry of the parish of Akaroa, held on Monday, the 23rd day of February, 1880, for the purpose of taking into consideration the contemplated removal of the Rev. H. Stocker from this Parish, a resolution was carried unanimously, that a representation should be made to your Lordship on the subject. "In accordance with such resolution, we would beg to point out the following facts in connection with our clergyman, our parish, and our funds. " During the short time Mr Stocker has been here, he has gained the good will of all, not only of those who are attached to the church of England, but of other denominations, and commenced a work which bids fair to produce a great reform amongst a people who have hitherto manifested but a lukewarm feeling towards the church and its welfare. " With regard to the duties our clergyman is called upon to perform, we feel they are much to onorous —his work not being confined to what is strictly the Parish of Akaroa, but to a large district beyond, including German Bay, Robinson's Bay, Duvauchelle's Bay, the Head of the Bay, Barry's Bay, French Farm, and Tikau's Bay. "In reference to the funds collected during the Last three quarters of a year, a simple statement will suffice :— Akaroa, £219 5s 9d ; Robinson's Bay, Duvauchelle,s Bay, German Bay, Head of the Bay, French Farm, Tikau's Bay, £27 16s Od. We submit to your Lordship that it would be hard upon Akaroa to loose the services of a good clergyman—one so well adapted in everyway to work a reform amongst us, because the work imposed upon him by the other Bays—who value his services so lightly—is more than any man can possibly perform without ruin, or at least deterioration to his health.

" We would further call your Lordship's attention to the desirability of dividing the Akaroa district into two parishes —the one to include the town of Akaroa and German Bay, the other all the remaining Bays, the inhabitants of which may take sufficient interest in Church matters to justify them in engaging the services of a resident clergyman.

" We cannot help commenting on the system which some parishes adopt, contrary to the etiquette of every clay life, of sending invitations to Clergmyen who are doing good work Avhere they are located, thus placing the Bi&hop, Clergyman, and people in a wrong position.

" Wo are authorised by the Rev. H. Stocker to state that, greatly as he regards his old district of Lincoln, he doe 3 not wish to leave Akaroa, if your Lordship thinks Iris continuing here will be for the interests of the church.

"In conclusion should your Lordship? after this statement, deem it expedient to remove Mr Stocker from amongst us, we feel that it will have an injurious effect on the Church in Akaroa, and cause a relapse into that state of apathy and indifference which has hitherto prevailed.

" Signed on behalf of a full vestry meeting by

"J. AYLMER 7 m i i « W. PENLINGTON} Churchwardens, " 11. 11. FENTON, Vestryman.