PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS CHAPLAINCY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 303, 23 December 1898, Page 6

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS CHAPLAINCY.

The following letter, in connection with the proposed .chaplaincy to public institutions, has been issued: — Dear Sir,—The Bishop and the Standing Committee have asked us to bring an important Church matter under your notice, and we beg you to give it your careful attention. It has become necessary to make immediate provision for the ministrations'of the Church at the hospital and gaol, and it is also desirable that the whole time of a clergyman of mature experience should-be given to these institutions, together "with the lunatic asylum and the. Costley Home for the j Aged Poor. The Selwyn Memorial ' Fund, which was established for the ■ purpose of providing the stipend of a chaplain for these four public institutions, only furnishes an income of • £90 per annum. The General Trust I Board has about £80 per annum ay- j ailable to pay a (jemetery chaplain to conduct, the services of funerals from I these four institutions. - These two ■ sums make £170 available towards the stipend of a chaplain for the hospital, gaol, lunatic asylum, and Costley Home. The Standing Committee feels the great importance of securing' the services of an experienced, earnest, and energetic clergyman for this responsible position, and thinks that a stipend of not less than £250 per annum must be paid to him. His,, pension fund premium of £10 must also be paid, and office expenses wotud amount to about another £ 10, so that about £100 per annum is required before the Standing Committee can nominate a clergyman to the Bishop for appointment. The chaplain will have to provide his own house rent. and to purchase and keep a horse, and so £250 is theleast sum that can be offered to him, and tbe Standing Committee would like to be able to make it £300. We now ask you to contribute towards the chaplaincy to the public institutions fund, and to use your infiuenee with your friends to get them to do so as well. The treasurer of the fund is Mr W. S. Cochrane, Diocesan Office, Auckland.— We are, yours faithfully, W. BEATTY. W. E. GILLAM,' JOHN HASELDEN.

The Standing Committee urges Church people to make donations and bequests to the Selwyn Memorial Fund as a means of perpetuating the memory.of Bishop Selwyn.