LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 376, 31 December 1863, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

December 15, 1803. Sir, —After a year’s interval, I am reluctantly compelled again to ask you to afford me space for a letter on Church matters. This time, however, it is rather to detail certain

personal grievances, than to dilate upon the shortcomings of the Wanganui Church. The reason is obvious; previously I might be likened to a parliamentary “ Opposition now I may be said to be “iu office hence, it becomes the business (or pleasure) of the outsiders to find fault with my administration. To what'extent, however, I was not aware till last night, when an honest friend told me, that there' were a good many people who had told him. various stories, which in the aggregate amounted to the following:—(1) That I knew nothing of Church music ; (2) That after writing fault-finding letters in the Chronicle about the Wanganui Church service, I had “forced” myself into a position for which I was quite unfit as Director of the music; (3) To' the “exclusion” of others whose real knowledge of Church music properly qualified them for the duty.

The first of these counts I do not intend to answer—except to say, that one who has been a zealous member of seven choirs, and who has acted as first tenor of one of twenty-four voices, and Precentor of three others, ought at least to have a smattering of ecclesiastical music. But it is necessary, for the sake of my private character, that I should answer the charges of “forcing” myself into the direction of the Church music here, and of “ excluding” others, both of which allegations are utterly untrue.

As long ago as March last I was asked by the Incumbent to give my assistance in singing at the Church, which I refused, on the grounds that my doing so would probably not be acceptable to the congregation, and that niy professional duties often kept, me so far from town that I should have difficulty in attending even sometimes on Sundays. The request was several times renewed, and in the winter I reluctantly acquiesced, with the understanding that in fine weather I should frequently be absent/

The “ Harmoniumist ” (to coin a word) was at that time a gentleman amateur, who shortly after resigned. A Lady amateur was then induced to resume the office, and I, among others, was again asked to assist. To my great astonishment, at the very first practice which I attended, 1 was nominated by the Minister Precentor (or, as he called it, Conductor) of the Choir. Whether this was a preconsidered action, or done on the spur of the moment, I know not to this day. I hesitated for some time to accept the position, but upon its being strongly urged upon me by several people that no one else would undertake it, even if there was any one who could , I did so, and have endeavoured to discharge the duties to the best of my abilities. Whatever may be the amount of my skill and knowledge, those who have taken the trouble to attend the weekly practices caii best judge whether I have been wanting in energy and perseverance, often under very dispiriting circumstances. I have more often than not had to walk in eight or ten miles, after a hard day’s field work, to meet the singers ; and I have devoted many hours each week to the. preparation of the music boolm, of which there are now eight. There was no such thing previously. Lately, when an endeavour was made to raise a subscription for a professional Harmoniumist, I gave every assistance in my power (a 3 all those actively concerned in the scheme can testify) ; and as I thought it possible my office of Precentor might stand in the way, I offered to resign it; and lam not only willing, but desirous to do so, now that the summer has returned and I am frequently engaged at a distance from the town. But, under present circumstances, I cannot but see that to do so would he equivalent to abolishing the Christchurch music altogether; and, poor though it may be, I cannot think this desirable.

If those who find fault with it would attend only one or two of our practices, they might at least see that we have some sort of system, however faulty it may be, and they might theu be inclined to help us to improve it, if desirable. In the meantime, so long as the singing -is-loft-.to half a dozen female and two male voices, much improvement cannot be expected ; and a hundred people assembled for a ball might just as reasonably complain that the dancing was not good, if they had never learnt dancing themselves and refused to join even in a quadrille, as those people here, who either can’t or won’t sing the simplest metrical tune, but who find fault with the few who at least give time and trouble to the acquirement of Church music.

As to the charge of having “excluded” others from participation in the service ; if the assertion has been made specially with regard to the Instrumentalists, I leave it to the Lady and two Gentlemen concerned to clear me of the imputation, as I am sure they can and will; and if it is made respecting the singing generally, I appeal to the memories of all who have been urged by me to give their aid, but who for reasons good, bad, or indifferent, have declined to do so.

And now, if I have not probed to the bottom of this matter, I have done no less than I’proposed to do at the commencement of this letter. I did not intend to do anj'thing more than clear myself from the charges of “intrusion” and “exclusion,” which I have been told are laid against me. I trust I liave in no way said anything which may wound the. feelings of any person. If blame be due anywhere else, “ cuipam qui meruit ferat.” I remain, sir, your obdt. servant, George F. Allen.