MR W. S. ALLEN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 416, 2 November 1889, Page 2

MR W. S. ALLEN.

The following interesting particulars respecting Mr VV. Shepherd Allen, owner of Annandale, Piako, are given in a recent number of the New Zealand Methodist by a colonial correspondent who, while on a' trip to England, visited Mr Allen at his seat, Woo-ihead Hall, Clieadle: — " Two evangelists and one superintendent Wesleyan Minis, ter he keeps entirely. Sometimes five preachers, all supported by him, are at work at the same time in different part 9 of England, He entertains 10,000 children and adults onco a year in his splendid grounds at Woodhead Hall. On the day I arrived he had over 1000 there, but it was explained to me that it was only a small affair that day. Eight or nine different Sunday schools, with their teachers and many friends, made up this number, and though Mr Allen is a Wesleyan, he invites all denominations to his feasts. The children have swings, &c, put up for them in the park, but the older ones are invited to use the lawn. Such a lawn, even in tUi3 rich country, lis seldom seen. Two tennis courts, three croquet grounds, and three bowling places can all be used at the same time. Though Mr Allen is evidently very wealthy, and lives in one of the finest private houses in Enyl.md, yet he retains all the Christian simplicity of a roor •nan, and tikes his work as a local preacher in the Cheadle Circuit, ju*t ns hia cortchmau do»*s, wlm happens also to be a looal preacher on the same plan." Mr Alien, is the owner of a goo I deal of luud in this colony, and ncCDrilin" 1 to the correspondent whose letter we have quote!, he is a great believer in New Zealand, and very partial to New Z'»alunders. Mr Allen is expected to arrive aG Auckland about the Now Year.