MR. PARKER AND ST. PETER’S CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5449, 13 September 1878, Page 4

MR. PARKER AND ST. PETER’S CHURCH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

Sir, —In the Evening Post last night there appears a local about .Mr. Parker, written in extremely bad taste, and giving a very onesided version of the matter, Ido not intend to enter into the merits of the. statements made, but would merely say that the churchwardens of St. Paul’s parish were informed on the very best authority that Mr. Parker was under no engagement to St. Peter’s parish before any overtures were made to him on behalf of St. Paul’s parish. The writer of the local in question mentions St. Peter's congregation. I cannot think that that congregation if asked would have sanctioned the publication of their grievances, real or imaginary, in the columns of a newspaper ; and I trust that no one of our parishioners will follow the example set them by a member of St. Peter’s congregation.—l am, &c.,

Chas. P. Powles. Thorudou, September 12.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —l am informed that Mr. Robert Parker, late organist of St. Michael's Church, Christchurch, has been appointed organist'of St. Paul’s Church, Thorndon, and will, it is expected, enter upon his duties on the first Sunday in October. The vestry of St. Paul’s are, I think, to be congratulated upon having secured the services of an organist of Mr. Parker’s ability. It is to be regretted that in Connection with this appointment an attempt should have been made to foment discord, and raise a feeling of antagonism between the ■vestries of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s. To obtrude upon the public the minute details of a purely vestry matter is strongly suggestive of the “ vestry mind" and a faulty judgment. It is to be hoped that a sounder sense will guide the conduct of these matters in the future, e'se it is not impossible that the appointment of a verger may be raised to the dignity of a “ Ministerial question.”—l am, &c., Churchman. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin, —Will you permit me to correct some of the so-called statements of facta which appeared in the columns of one of your evening contemporaries with reference to Mr. Robert Parker and his connection with St. Peter’s Church. The writer omits to mention that Mr. Parker in his correspondence stated most clearly that it would be impossible for him to make any satisfactory final decision till he had seen and heard for himself; and upon his arrival in Wellington, after visiting the church, hearing the organ, and being present at one of the services, he then declined the offer made ; and how the writer of the above paragraph can truthfully state that Mr. Parker had previously requested him (or rather oneof the churchwardens) toaccept thoappointment on his behalf,in the face of such a reservation never withdrawn, I am at a loss to understand. Mr.. Parker was at perfect liberty to accept or decline the appointment as ho saw fit, and I consider his action per-, fectly honorable.. The writer ajso, with.y'ery doubtful taste, tries to drag into the question the action of St.

Paul’s, and I will charitably hope that lie was not aware of the fact that it had been decided to convene a meeting of the vestry long before Mr. Parker’s arrival in Wellington, to consider the position of their present organist, and it was not till the incumbent and vestry had fully satisfied themselves as to. Mr. Parker’s decision re St Peter’s that auy offer was made him in connection with St. Paul’s.

I will not express any. opinion as to the questionable taste exhibited by the writer in the paragraph alluded to, nor attempt to point out the author, but your readers can form their own opinion from the well-known fact that a member of the editorial staff of your contemporary is also a prominent member of St. Peter’s parish.—l am, &c., A Lover of Truth,