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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4967, 22 February 1877, Page 2

The case of the Rev. Hn Tooth/ vicar of Hatcham, has recently been creating a great deal of excitement in England, and a series of; cablegrams have been sent on the subject. It appears that he has for some time past been ini the habit of celebrating the Holy Communion in the following manner:—The'service is pre-j ceded by a procession moving from the vestry to the Communion • table, upon which, or the ledge immediately above which, candles have just been lighted. This procession consists ofj boys in cassocks carrying incense, candles, and a crucifix on a pole, and is at-; tended by Mr. Tooth himself or by his curate in an alb, girdle, amice, stole, and a chasuble, with a cap called a Biretta on his head. Having arrived at the Communion table the service proceeds. The different vessels are censed. The Biretta is taken off the head and laid, with ceremony on the table. Water is mixed, with wine. The Prayer of Consecration is, said with the back of the celebrant turned to the congregation. The celebrant kneels at certain parts of it, and afterwards elevates the sacred elements above his head. He makes the sign of the cross in the air towards the congregation!; the “ Agnus Dei” is sung.; the great bell of the’ churchj is tolled ; two boys

hold up lighted candles high in the air and retire ; and the Holy Communion is then received either by the celebrant himself alone or by himself,and one other person. All this is not casual but apparently habitual. Oh one Sunday an addition was made ,to the ceremonies by placing six little figures of angels with gilt wings on the Communion table. The-suit was undefended, and Lord Penzance said'; “It is not to be wondered at that it should be so, as the facts are beyond dispute, and the law under the existing decisions beyond question.” A monition was issued to the respondent admonishing him to refrain from these various practices in future. It seems he denied the authority of the Court of Arphes, and resisted its orders; and the result has been, according to this morning’s telegram; that the Bishop’s nominee has been placed in charge of the cure, and Mr. Tooth released from prison now that he is succeeded.

The hon. secretary of the Wairarapa race meeting writes.;—“ Referring to a paragraph in your issue of Monday, expressing surprise at the decision of the stewards of the Wairarapa race meeting on the protest against Liver, allow me to remind you and your readers that you are, by your own showing, in possession of a portion only of the evidence given before the stewards.” Precisely so, and we respectfully asked for the whole, or for an indication of the nature of that taken at the adjourned inquiry. We pointed out that at the first inquiry the testimony of four jockeys in the race went to show distinctly that there had been a cross, whilst the other party ■merely contented themselves with denying the charge, and producing no evidence. Further, that certain of the stewards appeared loath to have to decide against Diver, Under the circumstances it would be more satisfactory if the whole of,the evidence, were published.