MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 44, 14 September 1865, Page 2

MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

A mooting of members of the Church of England was hel^ at the Cafe de Paris, in Uevell street, for the purpose of mooting his Lordship the Bishop ef Christchurch, in reference to procuring tho permanent services of a clergyman for this district. There were present a large number of the leading members of tho denomination, including Messrs Sale, Schaw, Hawkes,Louis,VanDamme, Patten, S. 0. Young, Moran, Rochfort, J. It. Anderson, Eicke, &c.

His Lordship in opening the proceedings expressed the pleasure he felt at seeing so many present. He remarked that they might not be aware of one fact, viz., that strictly speaking Hokitika was in the diocese of Nelson, but he came authorised to act for the bishop of Nelson, and there would be no difficulty in getting the boundary altered so as to have it included in tho diocese of Canterbury. He would mention what had been done in Christchurch in reference to providing clergy for this part. It had been determined at once to send for a clergyman, who was guaranteed £300 a year, with an allowance of JSIOO for passage-money, and instructions to this effect had been sent home. lie and the committee had undertaken this, feel'ng quite satisfied that the inhabitants of thid place would relieve thorn of the responsibility, and would be willing to support a clergyman to that or a greater extent. The immediate object was to obtain the £100 passage -money, which he hoped would be done forthwith. Till their permanent pastor came out he had arranged for clergyman holding cures on the east side to pay visits to this place They could not leave longer than six weeks, but allowing fourteen days for travelling that would permit each to remain for a month at a time. These gentlemen would require no stipend beyond provision being made for a residence during their stay, and payment of actual expenses incurred. By these means the interval would be got over, aud regular ministrations maintained. He referred to the system of trusts existing on the other side, and promised assistance from that source if possible, to this portion of the province from those sources. He thought that it would be necessary to appoint an organising clergyman for here, under the title of Rural Dean or Archdeacon, and he showed how useful such an authority would be. A son of his, now in England, and who had gone homo for the purpose of sending out clergymen suited to New Zealand, he thought would be, in every way, fitted for the office, and though he might be accused of partiality, he knew no one who would, from his previous experience, be hotter suited for it. He had, accordingly, written him to come, and he trusted that tho choice would give patisfaction He concluded by saying that he had made this statement iv order to show that on the east side they were not unmindful of the wants of this pnrt, and he trusted that, in carrying out the plans he had proposed, they would not be wanting. Mr Salo, after expressing, on behalf of the members of tho church, tho gratitude they felt for the interest the Bishop and others had taken, proposed that a committee should be at once formed to carry out the suggestions made. This was unanimously agreed to, and tho following committee was ohosen, (Mr Sale, at his own request, being omitted) : — Messrs Hawkes, Palmer, Schaw, Fitzgerald, Eicke, Moran, Roohfort, Anderson, Burnell, Patten, and G. B. Young. t It <vas further resolved, on the motion of Mr Ilsnvkes, " That a subscription list should be at once opened." This was dono, and LB4 8s collected in the room Mr Sale proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Harding for the liberal manner in which ho had placed his Hull at the disposal of not only this but other churches. Mr Ilnwkea seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to Mr Solomon for tho use of the room was also carried. Mr Louis, in appropriate terms, of-

fered the grateful thanks of the members of the church resident in Hokitika and district to the Bishop for his visit, This closed the proceedings, and the meeting separated.