WHAT NEXT !

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 385, 26 August 1874, Page 3

WHAT NEXT !

At a recent meeting of the Richmond Select Vestry, Mr. S. T. Gascoyne 9aid he had heard it stated that the Vicar of Richmond, the Rev. C. T. Procter, intended to have a wall built between the consecrated and nnconsecrated portions of the new cemetery. Thinking that such a proposal in the nineteenth century was an insult to the parishoners, he moved — " That the vestry is of opinion that no wall or distinctive mark beyond a path should be allowed between the Conformist and Nonconformist portions of the burialground." The motion was carried by a majority. After the passing of this resolution, the wall was completed. On Wednesday a public meeting was held - Mr. J. Thompson, a Churchman, in the chair — for the purpose of protesting against the conduct of the parties who had erected the wall. The following letter was read from Earl Russell : — " Pembroke Lodge Richmond Park, March 30, 1874. "Sir, — I am extremely grieved to learn that the very reasonable and proper arrangement of the land granted in 1863, by separating the consecrated and unconsecrated ground by a simple footpath, has not been followed in the land recently given as an addition to the cemetery. It should be understood that Dissenters are not merely tolerated by the law of this land. Protestuats, recognised by the Toleration Act, as it i 3 called, have the right by law, on tho payment of a small fee, to erect a building for divine worship according to their own faith and their own ceremonies, and the magistrates have no other function than to recognise this right I am therefore surprised to hear that the Vicar has erected and finished a wall placed between the Conformists and Nonconformists' portions of the burial ground. The obvious effect of this wall being bnilt will be to drive away peace aud goodwill between the Christiana who conform to the Church, and the Christians who are Nonconformists. As I cannot suppose that such is the design of Mr. Procter, I trust that either he will give directions that the wall should be pulled down, or that the bishop of the diocese will point out to- him that the object of Christ's coining upon earth was not to destroy peaco and goodwill, but to inspire them. - 1 remain, with much regard, your faithful servant. " Russell." "Chas. Burt, Esq.,*- " Friar Stile Lodge Richmond.'* A resolution was passed declaring the erection of the wall highly objectionable.