THE DIOCESE OF WAIAPU.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 203, 17 September 1894, Page 2

THE DIOCESE OF WAIAPU.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,—The diocese of Waispu was formed in 1858. a time when the population within its bounds was almost ef tke Maori race. It was afterward* ex*ended southwards so as to include the settled parts of Napier, but the eld missionary designation was retained. It now extends from Tsuranga to Woodville. including both these places. The former town and the whole of the Bay of Plenty district as far south as Cape Runaway would be much better conjoined to she Diocese of Auckland. This is the general, perhape the universal, feeling of cherck people resident therein, end 1 venture, as an old settler and and church official in the twe northern dioceses, to give public voice thereto. The Bay of Plenty district is naturally, coimueroially and officially allied to Auckland, and the Auckland Diocese already comprises Kaiikati, which is part of the Bay of Plenty district, and is but a few Hours distant from Tuarangm by a mail coach road. Moreover, all me endowments of the Waiapu Ihoceee as well as the Ecclesiastical Honor* are react v«d for the Napier end. this district being isft out in the cold. But Igo s step further and propose the abolition al together of Waiapu as a separate diocese Napier and New Plymouth the latter being now comprised m the Auckland Diocese -re both connected by railway w.;;i Wellingten. aud might very well be included iu the Wellington Dioeeee. That part of the country which lice around Gisnorne would then naturally fall to be Episeepallyadministered frem Wellington, a* Gisborne is in frequent and speedy sea communication with Napier. 1 respect fully submit these few remarks to the eonsiderat en of the Diocesan an d General Synod of the Church of England at their next sessions.—l am. ets.. R. O. Stewabt. Tanrauga. September 10. 1894.