Portion Of Historic Altar Cloth Reaches London

Chronicle (Levin), 4 August 1948, Page 2

Portion Of Historic Altar Cloth Reaches London

The historic altar cloth presented in 1859 to the Otaki Maori Church, Rangiatea, by the late Queen Victoria, having fallen into disrepair with the passing of the years, Rev. P. Temuera took advantage of the presence of Bishop Bennett at the Lambeth conference to send a portion of the cloth to ' the Mother Country, in the hope that the opportunity might arise for the present King and Queen to be made hware of the condition of thie altar cloth. The following communication touching on the matter has been received from Bishop Bennett, dated July 13: "The day after our arrival I visited New Zealand Hoqse, having with me the portion of Queen Vietoria's altar covering you entrusted to me. There I met Mr. Jordan and his secretary. They were very interested in the cloth and Mr. Jordan promised me that it shall be brought 'to the notice of Their Majesties. He himself will get in touch with the private secretary to His Majesty to arrange a private audience." "So- far then," the letter continues, "the matter of portion of this historical altar covering returning to its home to plead for replacement has reached the first stage of its journey very satisfactorily. Mr. Jordan informed me that both Their Majesties are ardent believers in the spiritual welfare of their peoples throughout the Bmpire."