More Church Strife

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 649, 29 April 1929, Page 1

More Church Strife

WOMAN EXCOMMUNICATED Stormy Meeting at Kawhia (Special to THU SUX) KAWHIA, To-day. THAT lie liad excommunicated the late secretary of the women’s guild for reasons which he said he would give in writing, and because of that she was debarred from voting at the annual meeting of parishioners, was the statement made by the vicar, the Rev. C. J. Bush-King, at a parishioners’ meeting at Kawhia. The meeting was lively at times and was a reflection of the dissension existing in the Waikato Diocese.

A FTER the minutes had been confirmed the vicar gave a short address complaining of the arduous nature of his work and the fact of Fio Fio district having been added to his already large parochial district, which kept him travelling nearly all his time without home life or rest. In fact, he said, his home was his car. The balance sheet showed a falling off in revenue, and the vicar’s warden, commenting on the fact, imputed this position to a section of the people withholding their support from the present vicar, leaving the burden on a few shoulders. However, to show how the vicar’s work was appreciated at headquarters, it should be noted that he was transferred to a better sphere. OBJECTION TO VICAR’S METHODS Several speakers pointed out thatthe quarrel was not with the vicar, but with his methods—(l) The forcing of certain ceremonial on an unwilling congregation; (2) his actions, which resulted in the destruction of the women’s guild. After the balance sheet was passed the qualifications of the vicar’s warden came under discussion, as the warden elected was not a communicant, and this question had been advanced for a ruling on church law at the parishioners’ meeting in 1925, and was ruled out by the vicar. It was desired that the question be referred to the standing committee. STORMY SCENE Mr. R. Ward was appointed people’s warden. At the election of the vestry a stormy scene arose. The vicar ruled several proposed names out of order as not being on the church roll. Both Messrs. H. B. Smith and H. Cuffe said that they had signed the declarations and asked why their names were not there. Mr. E. W. Aubin, when told by the wardens that the vicar, and not they, had compiled the roll, questioned its validity. Mrs. Schiiackenberg said the manner of its compiling was very irregular. Mr. Jonathan expressed surprise that he and several others who have

been connected with the church since its inauguration were omitted. Mrs. W. Scott, late secretary of tlie women’s guild, asked why the vicar debarred her from voting. - “Because you are excommunicated,” he replied. “Who excommunicated me?” asked Mrs. Scott, as protests were uttered against the use of the word. “I did, on the advice of the diocesan office,” replied the vicar. “Oil your own evidence, of course?” “Yes, and that of others.” “1 demand that evidence and your own in writing now,” said the lady. The vicar refused to accede to the request, but on Mrs. Scott Insisting he promised to give his reasons in writing after the meeting. He then withdrew his opposition to the qualifications of those members not on the roll. The meeting then proceeded to the election of a vestry, when the follow-, ing were elected: Mesdames Schnackenberg, Jonathan, Scott and Oldbury, Messrs. Jones, Smith and Aubin. Mr. E. Watts was re-elected as lay member to the synod. Messrs. P. Klein, J. P. Wright and K. Watts were elected to the Rural Deanery Board, and Mrs, Scott and the two wardens to the nomination committee. A cheque was presented to the vicar from the Awaroa parishioners. NOTHING BUT DISCORD Amid some interruptions the vicar said he regretted the dissension that had arisen in Kawhia. A little over a year ago, he said, it was a happy family with an active church, a good choir, a strong guild and a good attendance, where / now there was nothing but disco, d and strife. Mr. Sandilands suggested that this was probably not the people’s fault, aqd asked the vicar why he left other parishes. The vicar replied that he was sent for to organise this and other districts. Several questioners wanted to know who sent the report to the Bishop that led him to quote Kawhia as a fully-paid-up parish, but his reply could not be heard. To close a stormy discussion the vicar, after thanking the wardens and those who so cordially had supported him, declared the meeting closed.