The Bishop's Visitation, 1840 According to Governor BOURKE's Church Act, financial assistance from the Colonial Treasury towards the payment of a clergyman's stipend depended on the prescribed numbers of adults desiring to attend his church or chapel. The increase in the numbers of clergymen, therefore, implied an increase in the number of churches or chapels, and also of parsonages, and to the erection of both of these the Government gave financial assistance. A very good idea of the progress made in this material part of the work of the Church of England is provided by Bishop BROUGHTON's letters to the Church societies and by his journals. These also give an insight into what visitation and oversight of a huge diocese in the pioneering stages meant. A few summaries and extracts referring to the Hunter Valley are given here ... >From a letter to the Diocesan Committee of S.P.G. and S.P.C.K., June 24, 1840 : "On the 11th January, I proceeded on my visitation of the Hunter's River District, where I was gratified to notice the progress of many undertakings intimately connected with the best interests of the community. "The churches at East and West Maitland are still in an unfinished state; and, indeed, the difficulty of obtaining responsible contractors and assiduous workmen is so great, that the tardy advance of our buildings towards completion is a subject of regret, but hardly of surprise. The Committees, however, in both the towns of Maitland, are earnest and assiduous in their efforts; and I entertain great hopes that both the churches may be completed within the present year. In the meantime, public worship is regularly solemnized, and I rejoice to state, with increasing attendance by the inhabitants, in the school-rooms temporarily appropriated to that purpose. "At Morpeth, the church erected at the sole expense of Mr. CLOSE, the donor also of the sites for it and for the parsonage, is complete as to the masonry and roof; the top-stone of the last pinnacles having been fixed in its proper place on the day of my arrival. The pewing and fitting-up of the Church will be proceeded with, and the erection of the parsonage-house will follow; and with regard to this important post, I shall then have remaining but the single anxiety to be able to induct a Clergyman, qualified by gifts and acquirements, to build with success upon the foundation which has been so prosperously laid. "At Paterson, the township adjoining to Morpeth, I regretted to find that affairs had not proceeded in so favourable a train. The parsonage- house, containing, however, but four rooms, is erected on the allotments which I purchased at the expense of the Society (for the Propagation of the Gospel); and the Rev. J.J. SMITH is therein resident, sustaining, I regret to observe, serious inconvenience from the residence of his numerous family in so contracted a space. Indeed, I felt so forcibly the disadvantages of Mr. SMITH's position, that, on my own responsibility, I authorised him to contract for the erection of some additional rooms, and for enclosing and laying out a garden; which operations, unitedly, would much have improved his situation. I have since learned, that the only person disposed, or able, to make a contract, has declined to do so in consequence of the continued increase in the price of materials and of labour. Neither has the Church yet been commenced. In this district, or at least in the lower portion of it around the township, many of the proprietors and residents are of the Presbyterian persuasion. Nevertheless, there are still so many members of our Church among the owners and occupiers of land, as well as among the labouring and convict classes, that there is ample employment to occupy the time and energies of an active Clergyman. "The settlers on the Upper Paterson and Allyn have a desire to possess a church of their own, distinct from that at the township, from which they have withdrawn their co-operation and support. I am of the opinion that, in due time, there should and must be two churches; but in the meantime the separation of interests prevents either from being undertaken. Were my advice attended to, I should recommend a junction of forces to secure the establishment at the town of Paterson; which being effected, I entertain no doubt that means would be obtained for proceeding with the other also. I percieve, with satisfaction, that an advertisement is issued for a meeting of the subscribers, on the 22nd inst.; when it may be hoped that some more energetic measures will be adopted. "While in the Hunter's River District, I also took preliminary steps, at the desire of the inhabitants, for the erection of churches and Clergyman's dwellings, at Farnborough, between Maitland and Patrick's Plains; at Merton, and at Muscle Brook; in all which places I have reasonable expectations of carrying the proposed object into effect. Opposite the village Reserve of Vane, on Fal-Brook, I laid the foundation-stone of a church, upon land very liberally given (in addition to a considerable donation in money) by James BOWMAN, Esq.; and I am happy to add that, under the superintendence principally of Mr. GLENNIE, of Dulwich, the work is rapidly advancing. "At Scone, I had the pleasure of finding an excellent parsonage-house, nearly in a habitable state, and the Church adjoining it rising quickly above the foundation. The progress thus made I must attribute very much to the good will of Mr. William DUMARESQ, - not only his large donations, but also to the superintendence which he has exercised over the work, and to his judicious management of the workmen. "At Singleton, on Patrick's Plains, I regretted to find that no progress had been made, since my visit in 1837, in preparations for erecting either the Church or the parsonage. "On my return towards Newcastle, I had an opportunity of visiting Raymond Terrace, a newly-formed and rising township, situated at the junction of the River William with the Hunter. I attended a meeting of the inhabitants, convened to consider measures for providing a parish church. The subscriptions were very liberal. The Rev. Charles SPENCER is resident here, whose zeal and ability seem to be very highly appreciated. I officiated to a congregation of more than one hundred; and preached to them from the door of the inn, as being the only place which afforded shelter and accomodation. I have engaged, therefore, to provide funds for erecting a small slab- building, which may be used as a church until something more substantial can be provided; and which will at least relieve the attendants from the unsuitable and inconvenient circumstances under which the rites of religion are now administered". Extract from 'The Diocese of Newcastle' by A.P. Elkin (p. 106-109) to be continued ... Diane