CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 32, 1 March 1879, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

A meeting of the members of the Church of England was held on Wednesday evening at seven o'clock. Mr. C, H. Mitford, Churchwarden, occupied the chah\ The nnnu's63 of previous meeting have been read and confirmed, The Chairman called upon Mr, Snelscn to inform the meeting of what: had taken place since the last meeting of parishioners. Mr Snelson said that, with regard to the consecration of the Church, the Bishop had no objection to perform the ceremony, but he thought it better that the parishioners should wait until the Church was enlarged, and they had areaident clergyman amongst them. At the same time, he would leave it entirely m the hands of the Vestry aa to whether the ceremony of consecration should take place or not. Mr. P. Waebttetos moved that thethe Bishop should not be asked to consecrate the. Church until such time as they had a resident clergyman. He thought the enlargement of the Church ,would then take place as a matter- of course. Mr. Suttox seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Snblsos then read, a letter which he had received from the Bishop, as fol-. Ijws : — " Wanganni, Feb. 24, 1879. " Dear Sir, — The Church scheme was well received at Feilding, Halcombe, and Sandon. I returned home on Saturday. 1 hope you and Mr. Mitfotd, and- olhe'rs — not omitting Mrs. Snelson — will make an effort to get the papers relumed. When we come to collect money, I see we shall have to make same very definite arrange ment, and procure a paid agent— at least, I think so. " I have to-day received a letter from Mr. New th. He has made up his mind to resign las present parish. Hfc is now only awaiting the Bishop's return. It \s probable he may be able to come soon. "I think it is highly advisable to proceed with the parsonage immediately. The site we selected is an admirable one. You have some money m band, you are likely to raise some more m the same way, and should think the rest ought to be raised on the security of some Churchmen, as they would; certainly run no risk of being ultimately repaid. Our present proposed change of system makes it a little difficult to arrange these matters. " I feel now that to secure M r,Newth for Palmewlon and Foxfcoa is a wise step to take. Before very long each may have its own clergyman, I think travelling m the train between the' twoi place.* ought to be equally borne by each; and. Foxlon ought to nwke some arrangement that Mr. Newth should huve a room or rooms to go to (not m a hotel) without depending on metis hospitality. v Believe me, " Yours very faithfully, "Q, Wellington. " Gh M. .Snelson, E^q" , ' Mi\ P. Wabburton asked what was th© site referred to by the Bishop, m his letter? Mr.'S*ELBoN said that duringthe Bishop's resent visit to Palmerrtoh he had seen the site that had been selected, which he considered to be a very good one. A nice, garden, cotild be laid out m front of it, and besides it would have the great advantage of convenience. The Bishop had taken the trouble of measuring the ground, and he found that it was quite as large, if not larger, than that, occupied by St. Mwk's Churah, m Wellington, which bad a, Sundayschool and parsonage upon its ground. The Chairman explained that when, the Vestry hal an interview with the Bishop, he was of- opinion they could very soon have. Mr. Ne»wbh amongst them. "Mfc; Newth, however^ would have to give three, months' notice to the. Bishop of Nelson; but it was not likely that his Bishop would insist upon his remaining any longer than oould passibly be helped. The arrangement between Palraewton and Foxton the Bishop looked upon as only a temporary one. He wa3 of- opinion that m about, two years hence both Ptiltnerston and Foxtori would have a resident clergyman m each place. Mr. Wat,tcbb. asked- whether 30m3 arron*emint coxild not be mad* between Palraerston and Feaiing, inatoaAi 0 ? V4^^ Vi W. W&.

.b'oxfcon, as Feilding was much nearer, and there was more sympathy and intercourse amongst tlife two places; but lie was in* formed that already Feilding had a resident, clergyman of its own. - Mr. Goodissoit and other gentiemon thought that if Feilding could support a resident clergyman, Palmowton should b» ; able to do-tbe" same. Mr. SNElfiOir said they were m a different position to Feilding, as the latter place had guaranteed a stipend, and asktd no help whatever from tile Diocesan FunST Besides, the.clergyman resident at Feildinjr would officiate every alternate Sunday at Halcombe, and would sometimes pay a^isifi to Awahun. - Mr. P. Waebtjbtojt jJointed out that if a clergyman came here, theyv would have to " provide hun with a residence ; but he was informed that Mr. Ifewth's family would remain m Nelson for three months after - that gentleman came amongst them.: so that they would have plenty of time to look out for a suitable residence for him and his family. ■-..■.< m Mr Waikbb asked what was the "very • important business » f or which the meeting was called ? He thought a much leSTI phcit phrase might Jhave been used m the^ announcement convening the meeting TToj o to the present time, he entirely faUedtosw what this " T ery important .business'»was.' "■• •. •■ ••- The Chairman explained that the meeting was called for the purpose of infonninjr the parishioner* of the result of the inter-' view the Vestry had with the Bishop, and" also to let them know what steps had been taken towards securing a resident clergyman for the district, which he thought was of very great importance to the parishionorkMi. Sneisox moved that Mr. Mitford and himself be deputed by the meeting to: * canvass the district, on behalfof the Vestry and m accordance with a resolution passed at the last general meeting of the-, parishioners, for the purpose ascertaining what amount of subscriptions' could b» obtained towards the Central Fund — Carried. : " :. fold, Warburton, Richter, and the mover,^ be appointed a committee- for theTfurpos* of obtaining plans, to be approved ofby the Vestry, for th ? proposed-rnevpoiflOMge^ for the townshin,/ • :f \ \- v ~rMf. th'emotfcTC^yeh / was carried. „',-,, , . . ■ '"" Rr answer to' an ehqiiiry,' Mr; SihEigoif said he thought ,they should not go to "mi' very large outlay for the parsonage.' About 1 provide a. ixice six-womW cottage, which would b> e^flici^nt Jor th* ' present. As the Church increased m nunl-' bera, those who came after them would hat* to put their hands m their pockets and proride a better residence fortheir clergyman, but he w.aa of opinion they would be d«ing very weU if they went to aft expenditure of about £270 at prea'eiit, :-'", Certain alteration* were suggested m thf seats,' so aa to. provide more sitting r>om w the Church, as it was stated that 'a" gobd many often came to (ho door, and went away again, because they were>. tfisinclinSed. * to trespass on those who paid for sittings. After a good deal of unnecessary discussion, the matter war left m the hands of th» Vestry to carry odt. « ' - - -I Mr. Seaton moved; that Mr, Skerman b» requested to resume thp chpjr practices, if « sufficient number could be foan'd to attend them. He thought it was a great hardship on the few who regularly, attended 'th> choir that there were no practices. Sometimes they were .hardly aw.ar.e how the singing' whs to be done, , in'cbus©queii6« of not having practic© during the we^k, " jftut v it was no use Having a number of people m the. choir if they did not attend pnittaciico nights,' and lie' would suggest that any person, absent a. certain number of tapes should be debarred from attendingthercnoiron Sundays. f Mr, P, Wabbuetox seconded the motion^ Hd was of opinion they should niake some efforts to improve the singing, now that they wore abqx\t to have a resident clergyman amongst them. He would suggest that a sub-committee should be appointed to. %vj and work up. the. olioiK ■.'■'.)■■" Mr. Skeh^akc said h» would bo raosi happy to attend any ; that might suit the convenience of the choir. He oiiljr abandoned the practicea because of the very small attendance, only two or tbrce having been- present on some- occasioAs.. • r The^ motion was carried, and a subcommittee, consisting of M;essrs. Richteiy Turner^ Season/ and Mesdame^ Snelson. Keeling, and Akers, was appointed to try and get a good' choiri together, Mr. Turner being- authorised to convene: o. meeting ,of* the sub -committee as. soon as. b,e diemedr it advisable to do so. .' " ' - ' : ' The meeting was then closed with prayer.