PARISH OF HALIFAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 10

PARISH OF HALIFAX

CANON JAMES' APPOINTMENT AN IMPORTANT SPHERE The parish of Halifax in the West Biding of Yorkshire, to which Canon Percival James, formerly of Auckland and of Wellington, has just been appointed, is one of the ancient parishes of the north of England. In earlier days it stretched over a very wide area, and the growth of population in recent times has led to . its being divided up into many daughter parishes, which still retain a connection with the mother church.

According to' the custom of the Church in Kiigland the appointment of. vicars to the daughter parishes is in the hands of the vicar of Halifax, and accordingly Canon James will have the responsibility of appointing vicars for 24 parishes with a population of just under 100,000. The parish church'of Halifax is a magnificent building with seating accommodation for 1600. The population of the parish is given as 8303 on an acreage of 250, and the income is listed as £2424, subject to heavy charges making a net income of £1565.

Halifax is a mill town with a population of over 100.000, hilly, aad with a rather severe climate. It is within a few miles of Bradford and Leeds on one side and of Huddcrsfield on the other. Canon James' predecessor a' Halifax, who died recently, was formerly Bishop of North Queensland.