PETERSFIELD.
Agent—Mr. G. DUPLOCK.
PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT OF THE PARISH CHURCH.—Our church choir having been obliged temporarily to vacate the organ gallery in consequence of the organ being under repair, have for the last few Sundays occupied a portion of the chancel. This change of position has been attended with such a marked improvement in the singing that many of the congregation have expressed a wish that the in organ could be removed from the gallery to the chancel or some other place in the lower part of the church; and it was also thought that another important desideratum might be obtained in connexion with the removal of the organ, viz., a considerable increase in the number of sittings in the church. With a view to elicit the opinion of the inhabitants generally on the subject, a requisition was sent to the Rector (the Rev. J. H. Sumner), asking him to call a public meeting to consider the possibility of carrying out the alterations suggested. In accordance with this requisition a meeting was held at the Town Hall, on Friday last, at which the Rev. J. M. Sumner presided. The discussion, which was of a very desultory character, had reference chiefly to a comprehensive scheme for enlarging the chancel, which would involve an outlay of 700l. or upwards. It appeared to be the unanimous opinion of the meeting that it was inexpedient to attempt so much as this, and on the motion of Mr. Soames, seconded by Mr. Leachman, a committee was appointed to obtain further information on the subject and to prepare a plan to be submitted to another general meeting to be called for that purpose,