S. JOHN'S CHURCH, TE AWAMUTU, TO THE EDITOR.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1341, 3 February 1881, Page 3

S. JOHN'S CHURCH, TE AWAMUTU, TO THE EDITOR.

Sib.— I am in no way responsible for your own correspondent bufc if his paragraph in your paper as to ritualistic practices by, the curate of the above church is not strictly accurate, it i» much nearer the truth and less likely to mislead the public than, the garbled statement; of the churchwardens in the Waikato Times of Tuesday. Ritualistic and high church practices with reference to the curate, were freely spoken of, at the first meeting, and the business came to a dead lock in consequence of his positive assertion that he could do as he, thought fit, irrespective of either churchwardens, or vestry, and would not promise to to guided in any way, by a majority of the vestry. For that reason no parochial church-war-den or vestry were appointed, and not as stated by the churchwardens, because no one was willing to accept such a responsible office. The minutes of the meeting also state that, a warden was not elected becatxse some "complication" had arisen. Surely matters would not become so mixed,|simply because none of the eight persons present would accept the office. The much vaunted resolution passed at the second meeting stating that ritualistic practices had not been introduced into the church is of no value when it is known that less than a dozen persons were present, and that even they were not unanimous on the subject. As the Minister's warden had to vacate his post, to, take that of Parochial warden because no one else would have it, further comment is needless. — I am, &c, J. Walton. Te Awamutu, 2nd February, 1881.

Proposed New Tay Bridge. — The usual iiotices of an intention on the part of the North British Railway Company to apply for a bill in the ensuing seawon of Parliament for the reconstruction of the Tay Bridge will be published in a few days. The directors have determined to use no part of the old structure, and the site of the bridge will be a little further up the river. Extensive boring operations have been in progress for some time, and the results have been exceedingly satisfactory, splendid clay beds having been found to exist at places where it was stated previous experiments had revealed nothing but sand. The scheme to be promoted in Parliament will provide for a double line of rnilway, and for the piers being entirely of brick. The maximum height will be 77 feet. The reason why no portion of the old work will be employed in. the now bridge is due to two circumstances — first, that a different bite is preferred; and, second, that the particular mode of construction adopted by Sir Thomas Bouohis consistent with Mr Barlow's plan. — Dundee Advertiser.