TARANAKI ARCHDEACONRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1921, Page 6

TARANAKI ARCHDEACONRY.

THE CONFERENCE CONCLUDED. -YESTERDAY’S SITTING. The Taranaki Archdeaconry Board Conference, which commenced its sitting on Wednesday, resumed yesterday morning. The Bishop of Auckland (Dr. A. W. Averill) presided over a large attendance of the clergy and lay members. ARCHDEACON'S EXPENSES. The question of Archdeacon Evans’ travelling expenses was the first matter for consideration. Mr. W. H. Skinner explained that the archdeacon’s work was purely a labor of love, but, in the course of his work, considerable expense was entailed in organising and travelling, and it was not a fair thing that he should have to bear this out of his own pocket. Archdeacon Evans had recently sent in his resignation, but, on a deputation waiting upon him, had agreed to withdraw it, with the Bishop’s consent, which was, of course, readily forthcoming. ’ He had petitioned the parochial districts of Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford, Henui and Okato, and asked them to come forward and help. New Plymouth had arranged for a certain amount, and a specified levy would be made on the districts named, whereby it was hoped to guarantee £l3O per annum for three years to cover the archdeacon’s travelling expenses. He moved that the local committee’s action in this matter be approved. Mr. Stanley Shaw, in seconding, said that it would be nothing short of a calamity if Archdeacon Evans' services were lost, particularly his work in the back-blocks. He was sure that once i the position was explained to the country districts they would respond, feeling that they ought not to be dependent upon the generosity and bounty of the archdeacon.

The Bishop said that the other archdeacons of the diocese were engaged in works of a remuneratory nature, with the exception of the Archdeacon of Taranaki, and it was only "playing the game” to pay his travelling expenses. The motion was carried.

It was further resolved that the guarantee be made for three years, when the position would be reconsidered. A committee consisting of Messrs. W. 11. Skinner, W. J. Gray, and E. W. M. Lysons was appointed to deal with the details in connection with the arrangement. The Rev. G. JI. Gavin then proposed: “That the conference ask the Bishop to convey its deep gratitude to Archdeacon Evans for his self-sacrificing work, especially in the country districts.” This was carried enthusiastically. CHURCH SCHOOLS. The subject of church schools was touched upon, being introduced, by Rev. C. W. Howard, of Strutford.

Education was of little value, said Mr. Howard, without a religious foundation. We were living in an atmosphere in which it was maintained that the education of the mind was all that was required. All had in mind the Home Country, and the* work that had been done in church schools there for generations, some of the finest men of tiie time being educated in those institutions. In our own country some boasted of free, compulsory and secuiar education. Personally, he did not believe the church schools here were on too sound <i basis-, as teachers of the required ability were hard to find. The Government were alive to the position and had caused all church schools to register; in fact, v the conditions were being made very stringent and increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, he though, there was a certain value in church schools in supplying the one thing needed. a value which people seemed to recognise, but were, too shy to admit.

Bishop Averill thought that lue church was quite right in doing all R could in connection with secondary schools, but rather feared that they could not make much progress in connection with primary church schools, unless the latter were at least as good as the State schools and the teachers were paid adequate salaries. Rather, he would suggest that they devote their energies to building hostels, where children could be looked after. jfi.ll things considered, he thought it was unwise to endeavor to compete with the State primary schools. It was better to expend their energies in other directions, that is, as far as possible, in secondary education. SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK. ■Certain improvements in the workings of the Sunday Schools were suggested by Rev. G. A. Young and Mr. G. W. Childerstone. Mr. Young drew the conference’s attention to the difficulties connected with getting the children to go to Sunday School and keeping them, and also with the difficulties of obtaining suitable leaders, who should be specially trained in their work in order that false impressions should not be implanted in the plastic minds of the children, xie went as far as to suggest the introduction of organising Sunday School teachers on the plan adopted by the Education Department. Another innovation suggested was that of suitable equipment. Something more than the bare pew and the teachers voice was needed to interest the children. Mr. G. W. Childerstone said that the clergy had not the material to work upon. More men were required, especially for growing boys, who were apt to look upon religion as something for women and children. The influence and example of men would do much to eradicate this false notion. Mr. Gray and Rev. R. J. Stanton also spoke* on the subject. Archdeacon Evans considered that the Sunday School should be made more attractive. Teaching was a great gift, and competent teachers were a necessity. Rev. H. A. Coleman spoke in defence of those men and women who had the p’uck and self-sacrifice to take classes, even if they did lack ability. The Bishop said that the real point after all was the home, between which and the Sunday School there must be sympathy. The Sunday School was not to take the place of the home, but was to act as an addition and a help to it. There was no body of people for whom he had greater admiration than the Sunday School teachers, and they were deserving of sympathy, help and prayer. CONCLUDING BUSINESS. On the motion of Mr. C. R. Stead it was resolved: “That it be a recommendation from the conference to the standing committee Jn charge of the central fund to take out an accident policy to cover the whole of the clergy in tfte ' diocese.” Rev. F. G. Harvie proposed, and Rev. ;

G. T. Beale seconded, “That the vestries be asked to send to the archdeacon the names of the lay members of the Archdeaconry Board as soon as they are elected in April, and that the archdeacon thereupon invite one clergyman and one layman to act with him as an executive to make arrangements for the next session of the board.” Rev. H, A. Coleman moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Bishop (Dr. Averill), Archdeacon Evans, and Rev. F. G. Harvie for their hospitality during the conference. A vote of thanks was passed to the Bishop for presiding, and to Rev. Harvie for acting as secretary.