CLERGYMAN TO BARBER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2454, 15 July 1922, Page 1

CLERGYMAN TO BARBER.

INSUFFICIENT STIPEND. Descent from the pulpit in search of the loaves and fishes of political life is not uncommon, but it is not every day—or every year, for that matter —that a clergyman is found changing his frock for a barber’s apron, says a Sydney paper. This, however, has occurred at Peak Hill, where the Rev. F. A. Parker, who has held the position of Anglican rector for several years, has resigned l his post and purchased a local hairdressing business. Mr Parker was at one time a slum worker in Sydney, but it is said that he found that the high cost of slumming was too much for him, and he was sent to the country at his own request. Last year, though he did not succeed in making history, he raised a storm at Bathurst Synod by his allegations that he found it impossible to make ends meet on his ''stipend, which, it was contended, was below what was, or should be, the basic wage for parsons, especially for parsons blessed with more than the average allowance of olive branches;. Mr Parker has ten, or thereabouts. Tt is rumoured that Dr. Long, Bishop of Bathurst, came to the rescue on that occasion. It may be stated that the'stipend paid Mr Parker was £3OO a year, and in addition, he was supplied with quarters rent free: He thought that he would do better in business, however.