CHURCH OF ENGLAND ENTERTAINMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3104, 30 April 1879, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND ENTERTAINMENT.

With a view to creating greater interest in Church matters, the Episcopal body here have recently issued printed circulars, pointing out the apathy shown in Church meetings, and suggesting the holding of half-yearly gatherings of a social nature. It was also pointed out therein that it was desirable to obtain an additional permanent minister, as the Inglewood district particularly required additional attention. The first entertainment was given in the Freemasons' Hall last evening, there being a large assemblage present. The Yen. Archdeacon Govett, who presided, remarked that it was very desirable to obtain the services of an additional minister, but the question of funds was not so easily disposed of. In regard to educational matters they found that schools were established in very out-of-the-way places, and he considered it equally important that the ramifications of the Church should be so extended. Mr. F. Webster, one of the Churchwardens, read a list of statistics, showing what had been subscribed in different out-districts, particularly mentioning the large increase of funds that had come from the northern part of the district, and the very small amount received from the southern districts, Omata being especially poor in contributions. Mr. Fookes referred to what had been said by the Bishop when he was here, and urged that the clergy were overworked and had too long journeys to go. Their salaries also were very much lower thauin any other part of the

diocese— or in fact, NewZealand. He trusted members of the church would be more liberal with their contributions. The Special Committee appointed to consider the desirability of forming a Benevolent Society, reported " It is desirable, if possible, to form a Benevolent Society." — Mr. C. Govett proposed " That the report be adopted," and, in doing so, commented upon the advantage of having a General Benevolent Society in place of a Church Benevolent ' Society:— Mr. Northceoft seconded the motion, and expressed himself for a General Society. — The motion was earned. Mr. McKellar proposed, -and Mr. Lakeman seconded, " That the Mayor be asked to call a public meeting for the purpose of forming a General Benevolent Society. — Carried. The entertainment was diversified by songs and readings, and at its close, the Chairman, on behalf of the Church Choir, presented Mr. Lewis Hamertou, who has been organist for .eight years, with a handsome timepiece, remarking upon the faithful manner in which he 'had filled the office of organist. Mr. Hamerton suitably responded, and thft, proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

Attention, is called to an adverfciseincufc altering the subscription for the gymnasium. Tuesday's Court cases are unavoidably held over until to-morrow. The s.s. Wellington leaves Onehunga this afternoon, is due in the roadstead early tomorrow, and leaves for the South at noon. A Wellington paper says —" It is stated on presumably good authority, that fresh informations will be laid against Messrs. Kinross, Suttou, and Worgan, for perjury in connection with Maori affairs." The advertised events for the Wanganui races, which come off on the 20th June next, show prizes aggregating £315 for one day's sport; the big money being £175 for Handicap Steeplechase. We are pleased to state that Mr. Beal, Superintendent in charge of the Telegraph O.Ticc, has so far recovered from his indisposition as to be able to renew his official duties. Mr. Storey, who has been relieving him, left for Marton this morning, and will probably proceed to Wellington. The Ncw-Zcalander says —Mr. Shaw, who about three weeks ago came to Wellington en route for New Plymouth, where he has been appointed District Judge and R.M., but who had to return on official duty to the West Coa^t again, is still at Reefton, and will not enter on his new ami more exalted sphere of duty until about the end of May proximo. The Spectator says —" On the 14th January, the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society declared a dividend for 187S of £25 per share. £30 has been paid up on each share. A similar dividend of £23 per share was declared for 1877." A most remarkable instance of paying a life , insurance took place lately at Christchurch, when at breakfast-time Mr. Clarke, a tailor, g.ivc his wife the money to pay the premium ou £500 before noon, or the policy would lapse. She paid tho money, and on returning found her husband dead. He had been suffering from heart disease and dropsy. The Sydney Morning Herald, in an article on the Waimate Plains affair, says —" The dismissal of the surveyors from the ground is a well-worn game. A similar act initiated the hostilities in ISGO. Sir George Grey was imprudent enough to surrender the Waitara block to the clamoring rebels in 18G3, one of the most unfortunate cards he ever played ; but he will surely avoid a repetition of that huge blunder in respect to the Waimate block in 1879." The Wellington Post says—" The Stad Haarlem's visit has demonstrated in a remarkable degree the advantages and facilities of our port. She was only five working days in port, during which time she discharged over 1000 tons of cargo, and took on board some 800 bales of wool aud about 500 casks of tallow. We doubt if a large ship could have met with such rapid despatch as this in any other New Zealand port. It is noteworthy, too, that the steamer got clear away from the wharf here in a quarter of an hour, instead of taking two or three hours as at Lyttelton. Before leaving on the 23rd of April, she was fitted with anew rudder-pin, made at the Lion Foundry, one of the pins having dropped out on her voyage from Plymouth to New Zealand. It was fitted by a diver, the diving appliances being borrowed from the Wellington Patent Slip." The Omata folk cannot pride themselves upon their liberality in regard to church matters, in fact, if what the Mayorstatcdistrue at a Clmrchof England entertainment last evening, they would appear to distinguish themselves by being particularly mean. The offertories one Sunday were stated to be 4s. 4d., of which 2s. Gd. was given by a single individual, whilst a rich settler pays into the church coffers, towards his moral welfare, the extravagant sum of sixpence per month or the ordinary price of a liquor. The Mayor naively ad. ded that the Omata people were very desirous of going to Heaven, but they wanted the town people to pay their fare.