CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 15, 17 January 1876, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the * Evening Mail.' Sir — The editor ol the Times spetns to take it very much to heart that the City Council should have come to a conclusion in the ma' ter of water supply directly opposite to his dictum, and as he must vent his spleen upon somebody he has again pitched upon me. The editor commences by stating that his criticisms of my remarks were neither untrue nor uncalled tor, and he win's up by stating the reporter of the Times to be the only one present free to comment upon my spe ech. Although I do not deny the right of anyone to comment upon or criticise anything i hat I may have said in public, still I claim in common fairness that before doing so it should be stated what I did say, for although ! the reporter of the Times may be free to comment, it follows in no way that he is able to criticise. Reference is likewise made to my last letter, in which I drew your attention to the fact that Mr Editor had suppressed part of the truth, to which he replies that I am a deliberate - — teller of an untruth. Truly this is Billiogsgate with a Tengeaucs. lam, &c, H. A.^Levestam. January 17, 1876.

To thb Editor of thb 'Evening Mail.* Sir— The financial difficulties of Christ Church hare at last arrived at a crisis. The Churchwardens, unab'e to meet the demands , have taken the novel course of requesting the chaplain, the Rev. J. Leighton, to pace the accounts before the parishioners during the Church eervice. To those who pay their pew rents, and also regularly (five Sunday donations, it is not p'eaeant, (■till under the circumstances I do not see what else could be done. Meetings cal'ei; no attendance; pew rents in arrear £70; offertories filling off; expenses accruing; intenst, &c. overdue — what gboul'l be done? It is of no usi having pews rented if sail pews are not represented by therenues; the mere renting without at- ' tendance is no good. Now is the time for some of our rich men to prove their faith, coo^e to the front and aid the church in her dilemma. Good management and economy are required. If the foods are inadequate to pay a choir-master and organist, do w.thout them for a time. Surely out of the many musical amateurs we have in Nelson someone ghou'd be found who will play for twelve months gratia. Let the music be simple, so that the congregation can all join la praise; this will do more to advance offertories than fifty anthems; raise the pew rents ti £1 each; mate the piyments quarterly; pay a collector to call for the money; reserve all the free seats but four or six for prvate occu patio i. This will add considerably to the funds, ai many go the said seats who can well afford to pay. Look to the business point; give one month's grace; should the pew rent not be paid then advertise such ee&t or pew to let. Treat all alike; never mind persons. Make the church affairs a butinesn, and manage them in a business manner, irrespective of any one. Do away with weekly collettioas, have a collection once a month, the weekly collection» do nothing to advance the attendance. It is unpleasant to be asked to give, especially to those who do give regularly, and their name is not Legion. CV. Fell, Esq.. has presided at the organ at AH Saints for a considerable time gratis, besides it would tend to bring forth amiteu™. would give a free scope for talent, of which there is plenty in Nelson; opportunity is all that is wunte4 to develop it. The present organist had to learn. lam, &c, H. J. L. Augathdw. One who does " give."

I It is said that the election contest in { the Grey Valley district Las cost a heap of money. On behalf of some of the candidates there haß been no expense spared, each being determined to win if bard cash were of any avail. Doctors M'Donald and Cairns proceed by mail steamer to attend the Church Assembly in Edinburgh, as delegates from Victoria. The efforts of tbe divers employed [ on behalf of the underwriters of the Schiller, lost off Scilly, have been rewarded by the discovery of £20,000 in gold. The ship is known to have had £60,000 on board, bo there is still to be £40,000 to be recovered. The divers work under great difficulties, for as the iron frame of the ship has collapsed, large portions of the wreck have to be lifted, and the men have to do their woik with large masses of iron suspended above them. An old Chinese prince died in Melbourne a few days ago. He had been living in that city in comparative poverty for a number of years. He seems, however, to have been very popular among his countrymen, for his remains were followed to the grave by hundreds, if Dot thousands, of Chinamen. T]]e funeral prpoessjon wag exactly a wile in length, The prince, who had, beep exjied, from China, waa 75 yeara pf age wh^n he fted, '