PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 14 September 1881, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION.

« CHURCH TROUBLES .” After reading your report of the meeting under the head of “ Church troubles,” I reckoned up the weight of their votes as well as their number, and what do I find ? You give the names of six who voted for sending fresh circulars, and not one of the six pays for a sitting in church, not one of the six had replied to the previous circular appealing for subscriptions towards the new parish; not one of the six ever contributed five shillings towards the church expenses (except one who promised but did not pay). These weighty voles were all oil one side. They were a ■ majority, and controlled the meeting. They are the persons who are to regulate church affairs in this district, for it is on their weighty votes that fresh circulars - are to be sent out. Much money is not expected from young men but surely they might pay something, ‘or keep still. lam pleased to hear they were present, but I do object to their forwardness in voting down the real workers and the real payers. Ecce Homo. GETTING ANGRY. Can* you explain why I and other ratepayers should be summoned at only a day’s notice to attend a public meeting for deciding so important a question as a borough rate for extending the breakwater ? Who are the promoters, and why didn’t they move before ? I am : willing to be rated for this necessary work, but X object to be swept off my legs by a movement got up in such haste. I saw the Mail advocated a public meeting two or three weeks ago, but the Harbor Board soon sat on that by resolving to withdraw the Borrowing Bill. Then the Board saw that the action of some mcmbeis had been hasty, not to say foolish, and met to reconsider the matter. And what did that amount to ? Why, they just squelshed the bill by again ordering its withdrawal. How could the Major keep the bill before the ; House after that? Yet because it is not actually withdrawn at this date, I suddenly find' in my newspaper a peremptory summons to attend a meeting at 2T hours 1 notice, and say whether I will be rated. Now isn’t this all nonsense ? Am I being bamboozled or 1 not? Here I read in your paper tonight that the Premier has said the session will close the middle of next week, l am to attend a meeting a week before Parliament rises, and go through the farce of voting for a Borrowing Bill which there is no possible chance of passing. *We ratepayers are being humbugged. . One Who Pays. Patea, 12ih. .*■ , “ MR BLANK ESQUIRE .” _As the whole tenor of “ Pater’s ” letter seemed to have reference to the .. announcement made ? in the ‘ W.esleyan ' Chhrch last Sabbath evening, and being conscious it was quite possible for any one to make the mistake alleged, at once ‘asked the opinion of several whom I noticed in the congregation, and fonnd to my relief the announcement was clearly and distinctly read as written on the paper I held in my hand, 'and which is at the service of “ Pater ” or any one else to inspect; “ the chair will be = taken, by W— , esquire. The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon once remarked, “ Were yon to release a dove and a vulture over a tract of country, the former would delight itself in whatever was beautiful, but the vulture would _._wheel.,about until.it founcLaorae carcase in a fit state of putrefaction to suit its ■ taftte.” 1 I do not wish to call “ Pater ” anything so ugly as a vulture, although naturalists inform nsAhat, like “ Pater” and his imaginary boy, those birds are blessed with an almost miraculous sensS of hearing. I sincerely hope wilful misrepresentation of facts is not amongst the “regular habits” Pater so confidently affirms are “well-known.”— Yours, Harold E. Ensoh.

- The foundation stone of the Newton Catholic Church, Auckland, was laid on the 11th, in the presence oi 5000 people. Father Fynes, vicar-general, performed the ceremony. Lord Abbot Alcock preached, and the offertory amounted to £167.

A young man named Kruse, a resident of Hope, near Nelson, received a kick on his head from a horse a few dayg ago, and was brought to the hospital. His injuries have now proved fatal. Dr Overden having received instructions to vaccinate all the Natives in the Kaiapoi district, Canterbury, has treated eighty-two successfully, but ran short of lymph before completing the order. The Maori King has issued an ivitation to the Thames Natives to attend a meeting at Hikurangi on the 19th September, when he will explain his work and intentions.

It is reported from Christchurch that the total amount raised for the members of the families of the Weseleyan ministers who perished in the Tararua is £2500, of which £2300 was collected in the colony. The New Zealand Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association of Canterbury held a meeting on Saturday, at which directors were elected, and the articles of association confirmed. The number of directors was fixed at twenty. Shares are being applied for in all quarters.