ANGLICAN CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1931, Page 6

ANGLICAN CHURCH

STATISTICS OF THE PROVINCE. Some interesting statistics of the numerical and financial strength of the Anglican Church in New Zealand for the triennial period ended 1929-30 were contained in the report of the Sessional Committee on Diocesan Statistical Returns, presented to the General Synod. in spite of ordinations at an annual average of 27, the number of clergy at the end of the period shows a decrease of three.

The returns show an increase ol 3< churches and 4.0 other places ol worship, suggesting steady increase. Although the figures submitted on Sunday Scoots revealed an increase ot 12 schools, the number of teachers decreased by ] L and the number of scholars by nearly 1000. There is a. substantial increase of 86 day schools in which religious instruction is given. Decrease in Baptisms. The total number of baptisms shows a decrease of 600. Tin?re was also a decrease in the previous triennial period. Marriages showed an increase ol 652. An increase of over 600 confirmations is shown over the previous period, and while the total number of confirmations was 16.770 the Easter Day communicants in 1930 increased by only 1330, compared with the year 1927. The committee noted with pleasure an increase of nearly 634.000 in receipts from offertories, subscriptions, and seat rents, made up as lollows:- Auckland and Waikato, £8.800; Christchurch, 63400; Dunedin, 65000; Nelson £2200; Waiapu £6000; and Wellington 68600. The large increase in parochial of)clings appeared to he a direct eflort to carry out the recommendations of the 1928 committee urging an increase in the minimum stipend. From all sources, 6608,210 appeared to have been received for parish purposes tin increase ol .622,000 compared with the previous period. Support for Maori Work. No less than 656.433 was raised lor I land, buildings, and permanent im- j provemonts. Over £215.000 was received from the , various sources for diocesan purposes j an increase of over 643.000.

The. total amount raised for Maori woik. 616.546. revealed an excellent increase of over 665(>u The committee had no doubt that this was in part due to the appointment of a Maori bishop. Although the hulk of the support still conies from the North Island. Hie dioceses of Nelson and Christchurch have practically doubled their contributions. Increases in stipends paid to clergy from parochial sources amount to ov"r 65509 a year, and the increase from ah sources to over 69900 a year. “Although this is a great improvement." commented the committee, “there are still dioceses where the minimum stipend paid is much Jess than 6350 and your committee strongly urges that no efforts he relaxed to achieve this min-, imutn throughout the Province.”