MOUNT SOMERS GOSSIP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1859, 5 June 1888, Page 2

MOUNT SOMERS GOSSIP

(From our own Cowrbbpondbni.) On Friday last the Rev. W. G. Maophorson paid a visit to Mount Someru Id order to deliver his famous lectare oo celebrated British Btateemeoi There were between 30 and 40 Intending hearers present bat ihe hoped for lecture was not given, By. : an unlucky contretemps, Mr M^opherson had omitted to formally apply to tha Oh&trmtn of the School Committee for the use of the room, although he had Bent circulars for distribution to the sohoolmaiter. Ik seems that Mr Miopheraon hi+htrto has been granttcl he free ase of scho< lrooms, without much previoai no'lco. by the various committees of the Afhhurton dia^riot Unfortunately the Mount Somtirs School Committee had, florae time ago, passed a resolution that the ÜBj of the schoolroom should always be paid for ; and thus a dilemma arose. On Hie one hand the lecturer would not, on ptinclple, yield to the demand for payment, contending that clergymen always ob'alned the ase of eohoolrooms gratis. On the other baud, the Chairman of the Committee o&uld hardly be expeoted to override the resolution of his Committee. The consequence was that the entrance moneys were returned, and the meeting had to return home without having heard the rev. gentleman, maoh to their regret, and the more so that two of the audienoe, Messrs Mcßae and Johnston, Informed me that they had oome twenty-five and forty miles respectively to be present at : the lecture, There was at first some Indignation expressed at the action of the Chairman, but on enquiry I learn that he Is entirely free from blame In the matter. I should earnestly reoommond the Rev. Maopheraon to spply for the fature m every Instance of the kind to the Chairmen of Committees. It Is tbe safest plan.