GERMAN BELLS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16266, 17 July 1918, Page 4

GERMAN BELLS.

-THE CHRISTCHTJRCH PEAL. Speaking in the Wellington Town Hall on the occasion of the National Feto Day of. France, Sir James' Alien spoko of the peal of bells in the oiu German church in Christchurch at +he corner of Worcester and Montreal streets, and said that unless some other purpose was desired by the French Consul, the bells would be melted down. . , Tlie bells referred to have an interesting history. They are made out ot cannon taken from the French in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, and were presented to the then German colony in Christchurch by the grandfather ot the present Kaiser. The bells themselves are three in number, and arc named "The Kaiser," "tho Crowh Princc," and "Bismdrck." The captured cannon were melted down an«i cast into the bells which now hang in the tower of the church. Some time ago, the church was rented to the local -Spiritualists' denomination. The building was not sold, as is generally believed, but merely rented, and the bells are. still in the belfry. They were then the property of the Germa.n trustees, but since # the war commenced thev and thra building have passed into the hands of the Public Trustee. Speaking to a "Press" representative yehteiday, Mr George Humphreys, French Consul in Christchurch, and Mr Malaquin, said that it was proposed to take down the bells and send them back to Frauco. Such an action, said M. Malaquin. would meet with great approval in his native country. in doing so, he'th ought the local authorities would be expressing the opinion of the French population of Christchurch, and such a procedure would be the most preferable and the most appropriate. Ho was certain that such a movement would be very much appreciated by the French nation. A recommendation on the lines suggested has been sent to the Chief Consul for New Zealand, M. Leon H'pppaa, who resides at Auckland, and should the idea receive his approval, tho bells should soon be pealing in France, or else forming munitions to send against the foe which originally took them from France nearly 50 years ago.