COINCIDING DATES.

Otaki Mail, 29 January 1919, Page 3

COINCIDING DATES.

ST. MARK'S AND ANZAC DAYS. The law of coincidence operates in many surprising ways and often very happily. An instance of this is to be found in the fact that St. MaTk's Day and Auzac Day are identical in the calendar. Aud the poiut in this coincidence is that the Anglican Cathedral which is to be built on the site of the present St, Mark's Church in Wellington, will also be a memorial to the deeds of the New Zealand Army and the battlefields on which they fought. Anznc was the first and most heroic of these, and it will naturally be prominently represented in the historic records which will be stored in this groat cathedral. In view of these facts the coincidence of "the two days is a decidedly happy one. The proposal to build a cathedral in Wellington which would be second to nothing of its kind in Australasia, was brought forward over a year ago, and in a brief campaign a sum exceeding £30,000 was promised, shewing that the appeal did not fall on denf curs. At that time, however, the claims of patriotic societies and other soldiers' comforts funds were being pressed, and in deference to the urgency of these matters the cathedral fund campaign was held in abeyance for the time being. It is considered, however, that the £150,000 necessary to begin work on the main building should bo obtained as soon as possible, because one of the purposes of the cathedral is that of a memorial to New Zealand's fallen soldiers. Straightout giving is what is desired in obtaining the money, so that the cathedral will be built by the freewill offering of a people who are grateful for the success which has been won by men who fought and died for right and liberty. There will be no art unions or doubtful devices for raising money. Those who cannot give at once what, to them, is a large-sum of money, can promise it .and spread the payment of their gift over a period of years. The lion, organising secretary is the Roy. C. F. Askew, the Vicarage, St. Mark's, Wellington, who will be happy at all times to answer inquiries and receive donations to this worthy object.