OUR CAMBRIDGE REPORTER IN REPLY TO PASTOR GRIFFITHS AND FINIS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2604, 21 March 1889, Page 2

OUR CAMBRIDGE REPORTER IN REPLY TO PASTOR GRIFFITHS AND FINIS.

The truth; tlio wlioln truth, and nothing but the truth. TO THE EDITOIf. Sin,—ln ynur issues of the 16th and 14th instants, Pastor Griffiths and "Finis," respectively, endeavour to rectify what they consider errors ia reports that I have forwitrded to your journal. I should have answered them immediately they appeared, had I not known that your columns would be crowded with reports of the lire, •;-htnv, etc., and hearing that another iiv.lividu;>l was anxious to correct ? my report of the la.-t R.M. Court that sat in this town, I thought it would be bettor to wait and reply to the winilo three, at once. However, the I.ist-nained not having appeared, I must content myself by replying to the former two. I have had serious thoughts (if asking you to open a " vindicatory column," in which your correspondents could reply to their would be ccns'irn, but perhaps tho slim ter way would be to submit the manuscripts to their inspection before forwarding them to you, as they appear to think they know better what should be inserted in a journal than the Editor does. I will reply to Mr Griffiths first; and I regret that it is necessary for I do not think that he would willingly do an injustice to anyone; but when ho states that tho paragraph I forwarded is "contrary to facts" I cannot allow such a statement to be published, and go unchallenged. I stated that the finances in connection with tho Baptist Church weie not in as good a position as could be wished, and that Pastor Griffiths had tendered his resignation which had been accepted, that his engagement would terminateat theendof the present month, and it was not known if anyone would fill his place, or even if the services would be continued. Now, instead of those statements being "contrary to facts,"! say they are true. If the finances are in " as good a position as could be wished,' , why should the authorities want to lower the stipend of the p.istor? And why should the pastor resign? Simply because they find they cannot afford to pay at the present rate. Does this look as if the finances sre in a hotter position than they were three years :igo? I leave the public to judge. I grant thut at that Lime there may have been it slight debt, which has since been liquidated, but on the other haul I think the income must have been greater then tliiiu it is at the present time. I regret that Pastor Griffiths is about to leave, as I am convinced that ho has done a great amount of good in the neighbourhood, but, nevertheless, I think the authorities are to be commended for locking the stable door before the hoive is stolen. In conclusion I may state that I received a portion of the information, indirectly, fnun the pastor's owu tamil;, nnd the remainder from a deacon of tbn Church, which I think should be a sufficient guarantee, for the authenticity of it. Now , for "Finis." I feel grateful to this contributor for having called my

attention to the Garden Ftite again, aathere were too tilings that I omitted to mention iu my report, and in the multiplicity of sensational events that have lately taken place iu Cambridge, I had entirely forgotten. T refer to the bazaar or fancy goods stall, presided over by Mrs Major Wilson and Mrs Dlckensmi, where many descriptions of useful articles of clothing were disposed of; and to the duot "Hear uiH Norma" that was ably rendered by Mesdaaios Chambers and Russell, during the second tableau. l''inis " slates that more mention might have been made of this tableau, " for it was tlio most effective one, &c." Of course we all know that more mention '' might " have been made of it; but as I happened to know that too much " verbosity " —look that word up in ths dictionary "Finis"— would meet with a certain amount of " boiling down " at your hands Mr Editor, 1 refrained from going into exjtacies about Adalaisa's face or Norma's figure, although strongly tempted to do w. That this particular tableau was the most effective one is a matter of opinion. 1 think " Finis " saw it from the back of the stage ; perhaps it did look the best from that direction. As Mrs Wells does not feel aggrieved at my not mentioning her name in connection with the Gipsy encampment, 1 know tli.it I am

absolved from the heinous offence of not having publicly praised a lady, when sho did not wish her name mentioned. We all know that in getting up any entertainment them are sun; to bo some little " ructions " but 1 do not think your journal is the proper place to " chronicle the tiffs «f Cambridge " in. No :No ! " Finis." let sleeping dogs he ; they .sometimes bile if awakened too roughly. Now we coma to the real gist of the letter, viz., Mr Bones' song and Mrs Johnson's verbosity ; but before proceeding to discuss these matters, I should like to bear testimony to the disin-

tercsted, heroic, large-hearted and chivalrous conduct of " Finis " in taking up the cudgels on Mrs Johnson's behalf. In these degenerate days it is seldom we see such a "snlf-saerifiqu." Regarding Mr Bones' ... sons,' not being encored, I think you have made a mistake "Finis." It was not repeated, but cries of encore wore to be heard, even while the Xntional Anthem was being , played. Of tho song itself, I will say nothing either for or against; but I firmly believe that it would have been deleted from tho programme if "Finis" had asked, instead of demanding that it should be done. And now, "Finis," about your protege, Mrs J ohnson. Let us seo what I said about her. Here it is: " Mrs Johnson, the inter, locntor, did not speak loud enough, and was slightly too verbose for a nigger entertainment, but never having undertaken the role b-jforo would account for that defect. Tho •■ tumble she must have taken to work up her (.roupo _inust have been immense, for \vq know that she wrote one of the songs and also compiled the tnno." Now, "Finis" don't you think I f,.ive Mrs J. a fair share of kudos " m that, if 1 reported what was the opinion of not. only the public hut also of the Lillywhites themselves aboiillle verbosity, I immediately made an excuse on Mrs J. s behalf. lam sorry, " Kinis," that J cannot tell yov how I should "personate the character" of Mr Johnson, as I have * never tried; and, what is more, never intend to. I am sure all who attended the Fete know how hard Mrs Joliijson worked, and that she did ncr iavcl base to ploaso, evesvona is well aware, and is thankful to her for having done so. Of course, she had her little bat so had others, and even I crime in for a terrible wigging l , for in attempting to return a stray song- I mefc the proprietor thereof, and, before I could say a word, I received such a torrent of abuse tli.it; it completely crushed me. How is it, "Finis," that people who give the hardest knocks are always, tiiu worst to take a slight tap '.' I shmud be glad if you jould toll Ujh. And now, Mr Editor, 1 iiiive done. If yon c;in find room fur a '■ vindicatory column, v well p.»id s>uod ;if iut, I thiuk 'f. had better submit my'M.S.' to :, Finis " ; at any rate when Mrs J. is to the Fore.—Yours truly, r, v. j T ?J ! CA3InRl r-'GE RKPOKTKB. Cambridge, March 19th, 1889,