Co-operation Found In Religious Survey

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 16

Co-operation Found In Religious Survey

Although co-operation, good will, and readiness of some to discuss religious issues were in general found by the team of 400 visitors taking part in the religious survey of Papanui last Saturday, some area characteristics appeared to a mild degree between the older and newer housing areas, the chairman of the combined churches’ organising committee (the Rev. R. W. Simpson) said yesterday. Visitors reported meettag no resistance to their inquiries in the older housing areas, whereas ta the newer areas there was a degree of indifference, refusal to give information, and some hosility. A total of 10,000 homes were called on during the survey, which covered the area bounded by Johns, Russley, Wairakei, Normans, and Marshland roads and the Styx bridge. The information gained from the survey had now

been given to the denominations concerned, and would allow them to get their rolls up to date —a most important matter in an area with a changeable population, said Mr Simpson. No total tally of the number of persons affiliated to particular denominations had been kept, as they were of little use, because the area surveyed covered parts of several overlapping parishes. “Many householders offered hospitality of morning tea and were keen to discuss religious matters,” Mr Simpson added.

Several amusing incidents were noted by those doing the survey—such as the woman who said on being asked what her denomination was, “Just a minute. I have a prayer book inside; I’ll go and see what it is.”

The organising committee felt that a religious survey should be made every five years when the census was taken, said Mr Simpson.