CLERGYMEN FOR THE OUTLYING DISTRICTS

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1249, 14 June 1864, Page 6

CLERGYMEN FOR THE OUTLYING DISTRICTS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sib, —A few weeks ago you were kind enough to insert a communication giving some information with respect to the steps which the Rev. H. Harper was taking previous to his visit to England, to obtain guarantees from outlying districts for the maintenance of clergy. Your insertion of the communication has proved of great use to Mr. Harper in forwarding his work. I have now to ask you to be so good as to insert a letter which I have received from him giving the general result of his labours. A communication in the next Church Quarterly, which will be published early in July, will enter into full details of the arrangements which he has inade. I am, yours, faithfully, G. COTTERILL, Diocesan Secretary. My Dear Mr. Cotterili, —You will be glad to hear that since I last wrote to you I have met with considerable success in the work I have undertaken in the outlying districts. I have thoroughly visited four districts for the purpose of discussing the question of clerical maintenance with the inhabitants, and obtaining their approval to the plans I had to propose. In all four of the districts I met with a hearty expression of interest in the work, and a willingness to co-operate. The result is that very satisfactory arrangements have been made, so that I shall be in a position to ask four clergymen to come from England. The four districts artI—l.1 —1. The* country between the rivers Raugitata and Rakaia; 2. The country round about Lake Elle.smerc; 3. The country on the south bank of the Waimakariri with the Malvern Hills and adjacent stations; 4. The country between the Oxford Hills and the Rivers Waiinakariri and Okuka. The time that I have fixed for the probable arrival of tho clergymen is May, 1865. As you have asked me for a more detailed account of these arrangements for insertion in the next Church Quarterly paper I will not. say more at present. Believe me to be, Yours faithfully, Hen'et W. Habpkb. Christchurch, June 13,1861. To Rev. G. Cotterili, Diocesan Secretary.