BALCLUTHA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 84, 18 September 1869, Page 3

BALCLUTHA.

(From our Own Correspondent.) This has been a great day in Balclutha — great, at least, in anticipation. " The Psalms of David were this day to receive their death warrant ; and the Maori War, its rise, progress, and present position, was' to have been explained legally, historically, and financially. The Clutha Pi'esbyfcory met in the (Jhnrch, and fully

discussed the question David v. Modern Hymns ; the result is that the majority think it more expedient to adhere to what our authorised version of the Scriptures contain as an appendix — notwithstanding that the Psalms in Metre are uninspired. The settlers here deprecated any discussion on the subject, and almost universally approve of the conclusion arrived at. They consider that, the preaching of the gospel, the settlement of ministers, and the extension of the Church, are paramount duties to which both ministers, elders, and members of the Presbyterian Church should more attend to and labour for. For, granting that colonies do rapidly advance, and sometimes precede the mother country in many improvements, we in Balclutha, vrithout a minister, entertain the opinion that our church is not the place to discuss the subject of psalmody at present.

Mr. Smythies' long looked-for lecture on the Maori War was delivered this evening in Barr's JSlew Hall. Mr. Smythies gave a brief sketch of the discovery of, and various settlements effected in New Zealand. Me very minutely detailed the effect made upon the Maori mind by the Episcopalian, Roman, and Independent missionaries. He believed that the tea, Bugar, and blankets had more iufluence upon them than doctrines or tenents. The lecturer kept his audience for well nigh two hours listening to many interesting particulars regarding the war. He oertainly is the Maories' champion, and ably did he defend their rights.

We were surprised to-day to read a report of our Honourable Member's meeting in our midst. He is expected here on the 24th, and I have no doubt this report will benefit his memory then.

We are disappointed here at the reception accorded to Mr. Webster at Tapanui. Who would have thought that he would have been proposed by a gentleman hitherto strenuously labouring (as we in our simplicity believed) for the settlers. Let me tell him that his conduct is closely watched, and that the squatters will yet forsake him when it will be too late for his axis to revolve towards the settlers.

I have other matters to refer to, but must drop for the present.