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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 59

A Year's Retrospect

A Year's Retrospect.

I now turn from considerations of Church polity to a review of our diocesan history since my last synodical address, and, by the Divine goodness, I am able to do so with no little satisfaction. The year has, indeed, been one of much anxiety, from reasons too Well known to all; but, if the strain has been great, self-denying effort has hitherto proved equal to the task. It would be something to say that we have not lost ground; but I am devoutly thankful to be able to say more. There has been a distinct advance both in the extent of our work and in the solidarity of it. I desire to draw your attention to some of the evidence upon which this remark is founded. Since last we met I have not only been able, as usual, to visit all the settled parishes and parochial districts, but to go in careful detail round the very outer verge of our population. I visited from house to house the inhabitants of Orepuki, on Te Wae-wae Bay, in the extreme south-west; afterwards, in the course of four days spent in the saddle, I called upon all the members of our communion in and around Otautau, and, crossing over into the Waiau Valley, did the same at every house in Feldwick, and visited the stations near the Takitimo Mountains. On the north, inquiring in a similar manner at Wanaka, I found that a decided majority of the people there claimed to belong to our Church. I was subsequently able to spend a night at Duntroon on the Waitaki, and another at Livingstone. At this place I was met by the Rev. H. J. Davis, who, with great courage and no small trouble, led a horse for me twenty-five miles over the difficult pass under Mount Domett, known as Danzies Pass. Accompanying Mr Davis back again over this pass, I was able, at Naseby, to resume my ordinary work. At all the places have mentioned a great desire was expressed for the visitation of a clergyman, and at not a few of them I held services which were well attended. The results of my inquiries, and of the canvass for support which I set on foot, justified me in breaking fresh ground at Orepuki and Otautau, which I attached to the cure of Riverton; and from reports with which I have been recently furnished those portions of the Riverton charge appear to be fulfilling the promises made.

It will be seen from the statistical record which I append to this address that I confirmed during the year 253 individuals, which makes the total number confirmed by me in this diocese exceed 2,000. As to the clergy, one, the Rev. T. L. Stanley, has left the diocese. His genial bearing and generous conduct ensured his having many friends. Several of the charges held at various times during the fifteen years of his work here involved considerable exposure and hardship, and his name will always he associated with a loving care and refined taste lavishly bestowed upon any church and its surroundings placed in his custody. The Rev. H. J. Davies, who greatly needed rest, has been allowed to visit England; and the Rev. J. D. Knipe, M.A., is acting as his substitute. Besides having advanced the Revs M'Kenzie Gibson and F. W. Martin to priests' orders, I have received six clergymen into the diocese in the course of the year, which gives us an increase of five for this year, and of fourteen since my return to the diocese at the end of 1879. Of these clergy it may not be invidious to mention that the Rev. F. G. M. Powell, M.A., was selected by a commission in England for the parish of St. Matthew's; and that the Rev. T. Lloyd Keating, M.A., has, by his past services to this diocese, insured the welcome back to a seat in the Synod which I am sure will be fully accorded. I have been able to effect, with the consent of all concerned, certain modifications of districts, in virtue of which the Rev. J. Hobbs has recommenced clerical ministrations in Tapanui; the Rev. W. Ronaldson has exchanged Green Island for Mornington; and after Christmas, Cromwell, which has depended for some time past upon the very praiseworthy exertions of the lay reader (Mr E. H. Logan), will receive assistance from the clergyman to be placed at Clyde. With regard to Tapanui, I may add that at my last visit I made arrangements for the systematic gathering of subscriptions, as well as revived the action of the ladies' guild; and, as a result of these efforts, I have been led to believe that both current expenses and past liabilities, however incurred, will be duly discharged.

The negotiations for the appointment of a clergyman to Milton and the districts connected with it are not yet completed, but may be so in a few days. I held a private interview with the members of the Vestry of Milton last week; but there regains a point upon which it will be necessary for me to consult the Standing Committee.

Our instrumentalities have been augmented by the opening of two churches for Divine service during the year. Within three days of each other I dedicated the small church of the Holy Saviour, at Mataura, in the district of the Rev. Mr Hobbs, and "The Place of the Heavenly Assembly," at Puketeraki, within the cure of the Rev. Mr Sotham. These churches were practically free from debt—the former entirely so; and the latter was so in effect, as before the dedication I received the pledge of my excellent friend Mr Thomas Pratt, M.H.R., page break that he would hold himself responsible for what remained. The occasion of the opening of this church for the Maoris was a most interesting one, and many Natives came from a great distance to be present—some as far as from Timaru. Mr Wynter Blathwaite, at great expense and labor to himself, kindly acts as lay reader for this church, and also for the one at Moeraki. I have spoken thus far of the extension of our work and the agencies for carrying it on, but I ventured to say that the past year had witnessed not only the expansion but solidification of our enterprises. In a most true sense, indeed, these ideas are not so distinct as might at first sight appear, for surely every additional clergyman, church, or school-house—such as the one ere long to be opened in St. Matthew's parish, of which I should like to say more—all these, I say, are most valuable contributions both to the extension and solidification of our work; even the acquisition of sites for churches, such as the valuable ones lately acquired at Riversdale and Fortrose—the one by gift, and the other by purchase—are, so far, additions to our strength. But confining our attention to the financial aspect of the question, there has been a good deal accomplished in the course of the year. The Diocesan Trusts Board reports the paying off of outstanding liabilities on general expenses account, and that the income of the general clergy maintenance fund has increased; and I am myself able to inform you that there is scarcely a parish or district in the diocese in which special sums have not been raised since last we met for one purpose or another, and not unfrequently for the reduction of debts upon fabrics. The fancy fair contributed in no unimportant measure to this end for our City and suburban parishes, the total release from debt by this effort being L1,093. Several of these parishes have also still further reduced their indebtedness by the less public means. The exceeding liberality of Mr Ritchie and some others has enabled me to claim the grant from S.P.C.K. which was made to St. Martin's Church in the North-east Valley on the usual conditions of thus freeing the church and its site from debt. L415 was the sum raised on this account. There still remains an encumbrance, however, upon other portions of that property. The mortgage upon the little church at Ravensbourne also fell due a few months ago and the money was demanded. I am thankful to be able to say that through the kind exertions of Mr Porter and others that money (L400) was paid off, and much more satisfactory arrangements made. Many outstanding accounts of that church have been discharged, and the improved attendance and offertories, notwithstanding the pressure of the times, has relieved my mind of anxiety as to the future of that enterprise.

To speak of more distant parishes. The Rev. Mr Gifford has collected L200, and therewith paid off the debt which remained upon St. Luke's parsonage, Oamaru, and efforts are at this time being made to reduce the debt of L650 upon the church. The liberal gifts of Mr William Fenwick, Mr Teschemaker, and others will, it is expected, shortly supply us with a new church at Maheno free of debt, greatly to the comfort and, I trust, advantage of the energetic clergyman of the district—MrCruden. The Rev. Mr Dodd has again distinguished himself by enlisting the earnest support of a poor population, and thereby paying off the remainder of the building debts of the churches of St. Mark's (Balclutha) and St. Peter's (Clinton), in addition to which the mortgage upon the parsonage has been reduced by L200. One-half of this was the gift of a lady in England obtained by Mr W. F. Pillans, and the rest the proceeds of a bazaar in Balclutha. Another debt which has been extinguished during the past year is that of L300 upon the church at Winton. This had remained ever since the erection of the church, which owed its existence to the kindness of the late Sir J. Richardson, and had been a constant source of trouble and anxiety. I feel very grateful to Mr Robson, who acted as my church officer, and to the many others whose spirited conduct has brought about the very desirable result I am able to record.

Of the results of the bazaar at Gore held last week for the reduction of church debts I am not able to speak, and of the one to be opened at Port Chalmers this week for the same purpose I can only say that I know that a considerable number of persons are interesting themselves in it in such wise as to deserve support. There are, I am well aware, many less conspicuous parochial efforts, such as concerts, sales of work, and collection of subscriptions by which no in-considerable amounts have been obtained; but reckoning only those of which I have spoken it is safe to say that the indebtedness of the diocese upon its machinery has been reduced during the past year by the sum of L2,500.

I cannot forbear making special mention under this head of improvement of our properties of the very valuable and long-continued voluntary labors of Mr Finch, of Milton, to the church grounds of that parish. Besides having converted the churchyard into an attractive garden, Mr Finch has trenched and planted with trees and flowers a broad belt all round the glebe which adjoins the church. Nor is this all; he has skilfully drained the glebe land itself, carrying the trenches at the outlet to a depth of 6ft—this would represent a large sum in money, and is the contribution of a working man. Milton is distinguished for the gratuitous assistance of the parishioners. Nothing in the church needs to be paid for page break but the kerosene; but Mr Finch's work strikes me as the most remarkable example I have known of what can be effected by but one right-minded and devoted man.