Page:Handbook of Western Australia.djvu/152

Rh 1876 £3,464. By the last Census, taken in 1870, there were 14,619 persons of the Church of England; 7,118 Roman Catholics; 1,374 Wesleyans; 882 Independents; 583 other Protestants; and 309 Jews. By the returns of marriages given below it would appear that the relative proportions have altered:—

From the following accounts of the different establishments it will appear that the offices of religion and ministration of the Clergy are more generally accessible throughout the Colony than from its scattered population might be anticipated.

—The ministerial staff of the Anglican Church in this Colony consists, at the present time, of a Bishop, Dean, Archdeacon, and 18 licensed Clergymen in Priest's Orders. A layman awaits ordination prior to his taking charge of a district, and there are also two theological studentships founded by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge to further the training in the Colony of candidates for Holy Orders. There are 16 Parochial Districts, and two about to be formed. The financial affairs of the Church are under the control of an Incorporated Body, called the Standing Committee, which consists of the Bishop, three clerical and four lay members; all, with the exception of the Bishop, elected by the Synod at its annual session. The Synod is composed of all the licensed Clergy of the Diocese and of two lay representatives from each Parish. The Bishop is President, and has the power, never probably to be exercised, of putting a veto upon any Bill introduced for enactment.