THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 109, 10 March 1870, Page 5

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — I write to explain the reason why there was no service lasb Sunday evening, and I trust that this explanation will be satisfactory to the congregation, and that it will also be taken as an apology by those who may possibly think that I am to blame. As corresponding Secretary, I have been arranging for the services which have recently taken place, and it being the Rev. Mr. Granger's turn, before I left home, on the 26th February, I arranged with that gentleman to be in Lawrence on Sunday, the 6th March. Meanwhile I had intimation from the Primate that he would perform services at Blue Ppur and Lawrence on Sunday, the 27th February, which, duly took place, and it appears that His Lordship altered the arrangement I had made with Mr^ Granger from the 6th to the 20th March, hut of this fact I was not aware, and I consequently sent up the advertisement announcing Mr., Granger for the 6th. I only returned he me on Friday evening, the 4th March, and the following morning I was informed of the mistake which I had so unwittingly made, and in order, if possible,, to set the matter in some sort to rights, and not to disappoint the congregation, I at once tele-gi-K.ph.ecL to Mir. £>s-we, o£ Tokoooairiro, representing the circumstances, and asking him to come up and perform service. As I received no. reply, 1 took it that Mr. Dewe was coming, and so 1 did not make known that no service would be performed. Mr. Dewe did not come, and as soon as the hour was passed I did my utmost to make public the fact that such, was the case. I have since ascertained that Mr. Dewe was not at home, having gone- to the Molyneux, where the Primate was consecrating the recently erected church. Consequently Mr. Dewe- did not receive my telegram. I greatly regret the mistake, but I think ifc inculcates this useful lesson, to wife, that we ought diligently to put our shoulders to the wheel in order to obtain a clergyman to settle amongst us. — I am, &c, John L. Shadwbll Keen. Lawrence, March 8, 187.9..