RAGLAN. Visit of the Bishop of Auckland.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1319, 11 December 1880, Page 2

RAGLAN. Visit of the Bishop of Auckland.

Thk Bishop of Auckland, accompanied by the Rev. E. , J. Phillips, (from Te Awamutu), visited this district in the early part of the week. The road was in good order, and the weather as charming as possible for a ride. On Monday night" the Bishop stayed at Mr button's at Waitetuna, and on Tuesday he reached Raglan before midday. In the afternoon, at 3.30, the visitation work was begun by a service held in the temporary church, which'was nearly filled by the congregation, some of them having ridden great distances to be present. The Bishop baptised two children, received two persons to confirmation, administered the Holy Communion and preached, being assisted by Mr Phillips. The offertory collection was given to the Home Mission Fund, from which grants are made to supplement the contributions of country congregations towards the maintenance of their clergy. After the service there was a high tea, given in Mr Powell's hall, in which about 60 persons were well entertained, Mrs Powell's arrangements being excellent. When the tea things had been removed and the seats rearranged, the hall was again filled with those who had come to meet the Bishop and to hear his address. At the request of the people, he repeated part of the lecture that he | gave at the Auckland Institute some months ago, explaining the geographical part of his narrative by the aid of an : extemporised black-board. Mr Duncan, of Ruapuke, in a plain and sensible speech, thanked the Bishop for the infor- | mation he had given the meeting, and took occasion to acknowledge the good work done by Mr Burns, senr., in his capacity as lay-reader of the district. After the departure of the general public there was a meeting of the District Church Committee, at which the Bishop presided. It was resolved that a good site for the permanent church of the settlement be obtained at once, by gift if possible, and, if not, by purchase. The Bishop spoke in high terms of the ministrations in the district by Mr Burns and Mr La Trobe, lay-readers. He hoped to be able before long to arrange for a monthly visit of a clergyman to Raglan from the Waikato. During his stay the Bishop was the guest of Mr and Mrs Master, Mr Powell being Mr Phillips' host. On the Bth, the Bishop and M Phillips returned to Ngahinepouri, where evening service was held in the schoolhouse at 7 p.m. ; the Bishop administered the rite of confirmation and preached. The harmonium at the service was played by Miss L. Vickers.