REPLY TO BISHOP CROKE.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1037, 17 May 1873, Page 3

REPLY TO BISHOP CROKE.

(To the Editor of the Evenino Star.) Sir, —I regret to observe in the two morning papers a letter from Bishop Croke, aud, seeing the reports of the proceedings at the annual meeting of ".Neglected Children's Home" differ in both papers, I think it would have been more courteous of that gentleman to have first ascertained which was correct, and also what authority I had for making the statement I did. He must have known, as chairman, 1 was only the mouth-piece of the committee. The seconder of one resolution (Mr Main) expressed his regret that some member of the Catholic clergy or laity was not on the committee, upon which the secretary informed me that Bishop Croke had been requested to nominate two, but had declined, and both the secretary and Capt. Daldy thought I ought to mention this to the meeting, which 1 did in the words correctly reported by the 'Daily Southern Cross. " The Chairman stated that the committee had invited the Catholic clergy and laity to be represented in the management, but that a letter had been received from Bishop Croke declining to be connected with it." If there is any error in this statement I leave it to the Secretary to explain. The reasons assigned by the Bishop I can know little about. I belong to a denomination which strives to practise a spirit of charity and tolerance of which it appears many others only preach. —I am, &c, P. A. Philips.