PETERSFIELD.
NEW CHURCH FOR THE TITHING OF SHEET.—It has long been felt that the inhabitants of the outlying tithing and village of Sheet are placed at a great disadvantage in being so far from the parish church, whereby many of the aged and infirm are wholly prevented from attending divine worship on Sundays. At a public meeting recently held to consider the expediency of enlarging the parish church so as to give an increased number of sittings, a plan and estimate prepared by Mr. Colson, of Winchester, were submitted to the meeting but not entertained, owing to the expense which it would involve—about £7OO. Mr. Elkington threw out a suggestion that, instead of speeding so much money on altering the present church, it would be better to raise a larger sum and build a separate church for the tithing of Sheet, which would at once relieve any pressure that might exist by rendering a very considerable number of seats at present occupied by persons from Sheet available for the inhabitants of Petersfield. This suggestion, although admitted to be feasible, was impracticable, and no definite resolution was come to on the subject; in fact, nothing was done at the meeting beyond the appointment of a committee who should obtain further information as to the practicability of enlarging the present church. That committee met on Wednesday, the 29th ult., when the Rev. J. M. Sumner, who presided, opened the proceedings by stating that since the last meeting he had thought much on the subject. He felt most anxious to promote the convenience of his parishioners, and after mature consideration he was of opinion that this would be better done by the erection of a separate church at Sheet than by any alteration that could be made in the present church; he therefore suggested that the question should stand over for the present until he should have an opportunity of consulting the Bishop on the subject. The committee at once acceded to this suggestion. His Lordship, we understand, is at present on a tour, so that probably a few weeks may elapse before the matter can be further prosecuted, but we congratulate the inhabitants of Sheet on the prospect of having a church brought as it were to their doors. Pending the settlement of the above question it has been decided that the choir shall return to their former position in the gallery, and as the organ is in course of absolutely necessary repair, it has been thought to be desirable to take the opportunity of making some additions and improvements. The instrument was built in 1807, and has been in constant use here for 16 years. Owing to its rude mechanism it has been impossible to gain the facility in playing which is attainable by means of the many improvements which modern skill has developed. An appeal for subscriptions has just been issued, and we trust it will meet with a liberal response.