WESLEYAN PARSONAGE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 153, 8 July 1892, Page 2

WESLEYAN PARSONAGE.

Some time ago the people of this district made a special jubilee effort for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of a dwelling for the Wesleyan minister resident in this circuit. The Rev. T. F. Jones now of Waitara, worked hard and unselfishly to provide a parsonage ready 7 for the occupation of fis successor, and the success of his and others’ efforts may be judged by the fact that the Rev. Joseph Blight and his wife have now taken up their residence in the new parsonage which has been erected at Mount Wesley. The site is one of the best in the district and commands a splendid view of the river. The house stands on the hill at the back of Mr W. A. Marriner’s store, and the grounds attached, some nine acres in extent, are bounded by the river on one side and the main road on the other, so that altogether the parsonage is most conveniently situated for the carrying on of a minister’s work in this district. The building was erected under the supervision of Mr TI. Hammond, who however did not draw out the original plans, but amended them in some particulars to make them more suitable. The house has eight ronms, namely, drawingroom, library, three bedrooms, kitchen, dining-room, and girl’s room. One bedroom and the dining room are 14ft. by 16ft., and the kitchen is 1 lft. by 20ft., but the rest of the rooms are rather small. The passage runs right through the house which has a hip roof. A good range has been placed in the kitchen but the other fire places have open hearths ; there are two double chim ueys. There is a sink and drainpipes to carry 7 away the water. There is a verandah eight feet wide on the river side of the house forming a very 7 pleasant retreat. The house has been papered throughout with the exception of the kitchen and girl’s room, which are in the lean to, and these will be papered when funds permit. The timber used in the building is all of medium quality and the contractor for the erection of the parsonage was Mr A. Hood of Dargaville, whose price was £278. The contract was to have been completed on the iirst week in May but the contractor was some weeks late.