St. Thomas's Churchyard.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4516, 19 November 1884, Page 4

St. Thomas's Churchyard.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The action taken by the authorities of this church in closing the thoroughfare which, if not from " time immemorial," at all ovents so far back as the recollection of our respected "oldest inhabitants" extends, has afforded access to the otherwise very inaccessible district of Hepburn-street, has been the causeof much iridignationlately. Crowds of artisans and others may have been seen, early every, morning, for the last week, wending their accustomed way to St.' Thomas's Churchyard, intent on getting; to their various employments, suddenly arrested by finding closed gates across the well-known footpath, and the ominous word "Closed" chalked on a new and quasi-ecclesiastical gateway, surmounted by the emblem of that religion which professes to teach us how to bear each other's burdens, and to make the crooked ways straight, and the rough places smooth, and they turn away sadly or angrily,.according to their various temperaments, and Cseed to climb the hill on either d, or make the best of their way through the adjoining swamp. It is not uninteresting to listen to the various comments that are made by different people on this new and annoying obstruction, "Ah! it was ever thus," ex.claims a cynic, " true to her traditions, 'the1 Church bars the way!'" while an indig. nant Britisher argues hotly that the' bishop and all his clergy have neither, the right nor the power' to close a road through a churchyard, nor; to bar the path to what used to be fondly called " the door of every poor man in the, parish." Others of a more practical turn, say it is a good job it is closed, Uecauig wo may now hope that the Counoil will come to. our assistance and make;a road where it is so badly wanted, and for which wo have hitherto prayed; in vain,. There is yet another class, viz., " the larrikins," who do not trouble about the merits; of the case, but amuse themselves by vaults itig over the obstruction, or gather in knots, of five or six, and hold animated disouegio&B on the advisability of " pullin' thebloorain' fence down," and as public feeling runs so high on the question, I fear they would have many sympathisers in the "pullin' down" business; I should, however, be very sorry to see anything of that sort, and sincerely hope that our City Council will deprive them of any excuse for such lawless conduct by making a road through the " dismal Bwamp" whioh now lies betweenuh and the city.—l am, &c., ~ Pedestrian. :