Waiapu Church Gazette. FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1910.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 July 1910, Page 8

Waiapu Church Gazette. FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1910.

Is the Diocese of Waiapu to be the only Diocese m the Province of New Zealand without a Church Paper? Do we not feel the need of such a paper m this large, scattered Diocese, m which we are separated by distance and absence of railway communication so much from one another ? Will not a Church Paper form one bond of union between the various parts which go to make up the whole of the Diocese? Is there not always a danger m isolation? And is there not a distinct possibility that Hawke's Bay may fail to take a proper interest m the Church life of the Bay of Plenty, and that the East Coast may fail to realise the importance of Hawke's Bay or vice versa ? As members of the same Diocese, each part has a distinct duty to take a loving and prayerful interest m every other part, and how can this be done if we know nothing of each other's work and needs? It is with the intention of supplying a real want m the Diocese, of endeavouring to supply information from every part of the Diocese, and of creating a deeper feeling of unity m the Diocese, that

we are starting afresh our Diocesan paper. It was, and still is, my desire to be. able to publish the paper at one penny per copy, but for the present it is absolutely necessary to charge two pence per copy, or two shillings and six pence per annum if posted. Arrangements have been made with the printer for twelve months ; if the paper is loyally supported, we still look forward to being able to publish it later at the cheaper rate. I have decided to act m the capacity of General Editor myself for the first twelve months, and also to take the financial responsibility of the undertaking. I feel that such a paper is a necessity, and am most anxious to relieve the parishes of any financial responsibility. I quite realise that the success of the paper depends m the first instance upon the loyal co-operation of the clergy, and I must depend upon them to get subscribers and also to collect subscriptions. As the printer must be paid every month, it is most desirable that subscriptions should be paid m advance. I must also look to the clergy to send their local church news regularly and punctually, or else to appoint some responsible person to act for them m the matter. As far as possible, the paper will be published so that it may reach every part of the Diocese by the first day of each month. I am hoping also that the faithful laity m the Diocese will not only take the paper themselves, but endeavour to induce others to take it, so that the circulation may go on increasing. It is far better that the Parochial authorities should receive the names and subscriptions of the subscribers m the first instance, and also arrange for the distribution of the paper. This applies particularly to town parishes. In the case of scattered country districts, we shall be prepared to post the papers each month to subscribers direct from the Diocesan office, if the names and subscriptions are sent to us. Where no arrangements are made locally for the distribution of the paper, copies can always be obtained from headquarters. It is quite possible that there may be many members of the Church m this Diocese who would like to help this undertaking by becoming annual subscribers to the printing fund ; I am grateful to those who have already expressed their willingness to do so. Or there may be some who would be willing to guarantee a cer-

tain amount to provide for any possible deficiency at the end of the year — a contingency, however, which we do not m the least anticipate. We hope to publish, month by month, an account of the Bishopls travels and work, especially m the outlying portions of the Diocese, a record of all meetings of a Diocesan nature, of all appointments or changes m the Diocese, and an accountof work m the Maori districts, which we shall endeavour to publish m Maori and English ; we hope also to supply some teaching articles dealing with the history and doctrine of the Church. We are arranging for correspondents m the other Dioceses of the Province, and shall publish a short summary of English Church news of special interest. A very important feature of the paper will be suggested subjects for prayer and intercession, and these we hope will be largely used. In addition to the general matter, we hope that each Parish and Parochial District will supply us with local notes bearing upon the Church life of the District. It is with the humble prayer that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon this work undertaken for His Glory and the welfare of His Church, that we send forth The Waiapu Chuiicii Gazette, and ask our readers to support it and make it known. A. W. WAIAPU.