PAHAUTANUI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4342, 18 February 1875, Page 2

PAHAUTANUI.

(from ouk own cokrespondent.) A public meeting .was held here on Thursday evening last to meet Bishop Hjidfield, who wished to explain his views respecting the establishment of a Church of England minister in the Porirua and Pahautanui districts, which have for some time past been without one. His lordship said he regretted that the services had been so irregular, but it was not his fault. It was owing to the scarcity of clergymen, and there were other districts in the same position. He said he hoped, so far as Porirua and Pahautanui were concerned, that the difficulty was now overcome, as he intended to appoint Mr. Newth, a gentlemen who had lately arrived from Australia. The principal part of the new clergyman's salary would be provided from the Church fund, and the other portion he should expect to be subscribed by the settlers of Ohario, Johnsonville, Porirua, and Pahautanui. He would earnestly. impress upon them the necessity of doing so, as they must bear in mind that they were not taxed for the clergy as in the old country, and that there must be years of application and large sums of money expended before a gentleman could be educated for the Church. He considered that the laity should think it an honor to be able to contribute towards the funds, and promote the cause of Christianity throughout the country by securing the services of such a man. A committee of seven of the settlers was appointed to carry out the object of the meeting in the Pahautanui district.