VICAR TO RESIGN.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17751, 1 July 1929, Page 6

VICAR TO RESIGN.

SURPRISE AT FRANKTON

PROBLEM OF FINDING STIPEND, DEBT OF £4OOO ON PARISH. Surprise was created by the announcement of Rev. H. E. Jones, Vicar of Frankton, made in the pulpit last night that he intended resigning his charge of St. George’s parish. No reasons for his decision were given by Mr. Jones last evening, but in a statement to a Waikato Times reporter to-day, he said he was resigning owing to the heavy debt of over £4 000 on the parish. Parishioners were unable to pay his stipend and to liquidate the debt at the same time. Ttie work in the Frankton district, which was composed largely of working-class homes, was enormous. The big debt on the parish was created chiefly when the Diocese of Waikato was formed. Prior to that Frankton obtained a certain amount of money to liquidate the debt from Lot 50. These grants had necessarily been discontinued when the new diocese was constituted.

Mr. Jones, in reply to a question, gave an assurance that no disscnsi.n had taken place in the parish causing him to hand in his resignation. Rev. Jones has been vicar of Frankton for over 12 months, coming fc m Bulls, and succeeding the Rev. Frank Ilarty. lie has had extensive mi>s:onary experience in the poorer quarters of ttie English cities and he is noted for his devotion to various branches of sport. His departure from Frankton will be felt keenly by a large section of parishioners. It is understood Mr. Jones’ resignation will not take effect for three months.

CHURCHWARDEN’S STATEMENT.

“NO STIPEND OWING.” Asked to comment on the reason given by Mr. Jones for his resignation, Mr. ,B. C. Lowry, people’s warden of St. George’s, staled lhat he desired to repudiate portion of Mr. Jones’ explanation. “As a matter of’ fact we are quite able to pay his stipend, which is actually not due until to-day,” he stated. “ There are no arrears owing to him.” Questioned concerning Mr. Jones’ statement that no dissension bad occurred in the parish, Mr. Lowry said he preferred not to comment in any way on this aspect of the question. It was possible the matter would come before Synod this week.