ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. St. Mary's, Hinau Hill, Sept. 19, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 328, 20 September 1848, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. St. Mary's, Hinau Hill, Sept. 19, 1848.

Sir, — May I beg your insertion of the following letter, which, I have just received from the very Rev. Mr. Mathew, for I am sure that it will afford consolation to the few good Christians who contributed their mite to Ireland in the hour of affliction, and which I hope under Divine* Providence will speedily come to an end. I remain, your very humble servant, J. J. P. O'Reily, Catholic Pasl or.

Cork, 31st March, 1848. Dear ReVd. Friend, — I am delighted to receive your esteemed letter, as it assures me that you are well, and I fervently pray that God may long preserve and bless your valuable life for his own glory, the exaltation of our holy Church, and the happiness of the people committed to your Pastoral care. It is unnecessary to harass your feelings by a detail of the misery endured and witnessed during the late awful visitation. The Almighty in his infinite Mercy, has alleviated the calamity, and through the benevolence of our friends throughout the world, our people are now, thank God, slowly recovering their position. The generous contributions of yourself and your devoted litt'e flock, will be the means of restoring comparative comfort to many a helpless fellow creature. It will be distributed according to your wishes, and I beg you will present on the part of these distressed objects, my grateful acknowledgments to the subscribers of this sum of twenty pounds eight shillings Though the privations are still great, yet we have no actual famine. You will be glad to learn that our people continued faithful to the pledge. All your dear friends in Cork, are highly gratified to hear of you, and present their kindest remembrance. Believe me, with the highest respect, My dear friend, Yours affectionately, Theobald Mathew. Rev. Joseph J. P. O'Reily, Catholic Missionary, Port Nicholson, New Zealand.