THE REMOVAL OF ARCHDEACON HARPER TO CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2341, 3 February 1873, Page 3

THE REMOVAL OF ARCHDEACON HARPER TO CHRISTCHURCH.

A few days ago we published a report of a meeting held in Hokitika on the above subject. On that occasion the foltawing statement of the Vestry of All Saints' Church was read. At the request of the chairmau of the meeting we publish it now:— In the year 18'">5 the Bishop of Christchnrch personally visited the West Coast, and initiated a branch of the English Church, supplying officiating clergymen as need required uutil the arrival of the Venerable Archdeacon Harper in October, 1866. Westland was established as an Archdeaconry, aud it was clearly the inti-ntion of his Lordship that the Archdeacon should be a resident incumbent, and it was expr-ssly lad down as a necessary condition that a residence was to be provided, which resulted in the trection of a parsonage in Hokitika.

The church of All Saints', Hokitika, was built at that time, and opened for Divine Service by the Archdeacon, who at ouce commenced his duties of organisation in the district.

He had secured the services, when in England, of the Rev. Mr Beaumont, who undertook the duties on the Coast, at various points, as a travelling clergyman from Greymouth to Ross, the former place at that time forming part of the Diocese of Christchurch.

At Kanieri a church was erected, and the services were supplied by the Archdeacon hirus'.-lf. The churches of Greymouth and Ross were built next, aud the parish work carried on by Mr Beaumont. The next to follow were the churches of Stafford and Waimea, and alternate services are rendered to them also by the Archdeacon in conjunction with Kanieri, he thus having literally "the care of all the churches." TheStafford and Waimea churches are awaiting the arrival of a gentleman who will relieve the Archdeacon from the inordinate pressure of work, which for the welfare of the church he has voluntarily undertaken.

At the Hau-hau and Woodstock occasion al weekday services are rendered by him ; this it is hoped will lead to a more permanent ministration.

The Maori villages at the Arahura and Woodstock have been attended to with the help of a lay reader, and a church has been erected at the Arahaura, at which the Archdeacon performs stated services.

In close connection with the work of the church, and second only in importance, may be placed the organisation of the Sunday and day schools under the guidance and fostering care of the Archdeacon. The Sunday school in Hokitika numbers about 220 scholars ; the day school has about 180 attendants, and has the benefit of the Archdeacon's services in Bible and other knowledge.

A new school house has been erected, the cost of which was munificently supplemented by a large donation from the Archdeacon, and the school needs now, more than ever, the direction and supervision of himself for a time, to place it on a firm basis.

Of the choir at All Saints', Hokitika, it may be said that his labors have been incessant from the first period of its formation, and through his exertions many of the younger members of the congregation have been and are taking a deep interest in the work, and to the young and growing generation amongst us, the removal of the Archdeacon's influence at the present time would be a most serious calamity, as it rarely falls to the lot of any clergyman to possess the powerful influence over the young held by him.

On the return of the Archdeacon from the Synod, held in Christchurch last year, he commenced the organisation of the Church Extensiou Fund now in active operation, aud it speaks strongly for the personal influence for good possessed by him iv the district, that in the face of a depression of things which we hope is only temporary, it has compared more favorably with much older aud settled portions of the diocese.

Though passing under review the church work organised and fostered by the Archdeacon throughout the entire district, which necessarily stands first in importance, the duties performed by him as Incumbent of All Saints', Hokitika, must not be omitted, and comprise the baptisms, marriages and funerals, gaol, hospital, and week day services, bible class, choir practices and constant vestry, school, and other meetings, not only in connection with All Saints' Church, but necessitating the personal attendance of the Archdeacon at meetings in each place in the district where the church has been established, in order to advise, sustain, and control.

In the present transitional state of this portion of the diocese, gradually emerging as it is, from its condition as a mere goldfield into a permanently settled district, it must be plain to all that it needs more now than ever it possibly could at any other time the personal guidance and direction of the Archdeacon, and that his removal at this most critical period, when such church work would be left uncompleted, we cannot but strongly feel would be most deeply injurious to the church in Westland.

Deeply impressed with these views, the vestry have considered it their duty to lay before a meeting of the members of the church the above statement of the work in this district, that a general expression of opinion may be thereby elicited, which they cannot but confidently hope will result in a united endeavor to induce the Bishop of Christchurch to reconsider his decision. (Signed) Jno. S. Bbowning. \ S. M. South, ( Church J. M. Batham, ( wardens. Edward Patten. ]