CHURCH APPEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 15

CHURCH APPEAL

NAPIER CATHEDRAL EFFORT MADE IN ENGLAND A DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE Hopes that he would be able to raise a substantial sum in England toward the rebuilding of the Napier Cathedral, destroyed in the earthquake in 1931, were not fully realised by Dean .1. 15. Brocklehurst, of Napier, who returned from England by tlio llangitata yesterday. Dean Brocklehurst said that when he left New Zealand ho was assured that there were many friends in England and places where assistance coidd be obtained toward the building of the cathedral. When lie readied Britain ho found that conditions generally were against the idea of much money being obtained. Many business men connected with New Zealand were just getting over tho effects of tho depression and so were unable to do much to help. Then, in nearly every diocese the Church faced big problems. It was necessary in tho new housing areas to provido new church buildings and almost every diocese was endeavouring to raiso many thousands of pounds. Because of such problems it was almost impossible to get much assistance for outside appeals. Considering all tho circumstance?, he had a very kind response, although the amount raised did not come within expectations. Ho was unable to disclose the amount until ho had submitted his official report. The appeal had met with a great deal of sympathy, and on every hand ho hoard regrets that it was not possible to do more. So far as tho Church itself was concerned, it was in a healthy condition, more especially in the south of England. He had never found a poor congregation. Whether a church would accommodate 300 or 2000 it was generally practically full. In tho south of England tho problem of empty churches could almost be described as non-existent except in London, where the residential population had moved away. It was significant of the times that the appeal for the Iving George V. Memorial had realised only about £250,000, whereas the promoters expected to get at least £1,000.000. The King George Jubilee fund also had not been fully successful.