RAFFLES AT A CHURCH BAZAAR.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11279, 21 May 1902, Page 8

RAFFLES AT A CHURCH BAZAAR.

AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT.

A Grafton tetegram in-the Sydney papers states that some stir has been, caused by remarks .made at the AngHcan Cathedral Fair by Archdeacon Mason, in reference to a statement made by tbe Premier (Mr See) at tihe opening of tbe fair that he would as _oon buy anything he wished as engage in a, raffle. The Archdeacon said that, according to ths law of the church, in that diocese, no raffling, art unions, or ganmes of chance were permitted. He had hoped there would be a recognition of this rule, .but saw that this was not the case, as raffling-under the nam. of an art union, -had been carried on, and, therefore, the Bishop would have a perfect right to deal with biro, as Gteoeral Hutton r-ochtly dealt with officers who permitted insubordination. He would lay __ the facts before tbe Bishop, and- allow him to deaf, with tho matter _g he thought fit. .in the meantime, he would ask the stallholders who received moneys from raffles, etc., to inform the secretaries of the amounts, and bs would pay that amount from his own pocket to some local i__titntion of a non-religious-nature, so as to wipe out the stain on tlie parish. Art union sales are now stopped at the fair, and tbe Archdeacon has paid an amount equal to the art union receipts out of his own pocket to th© School of Arte. A subsequent telegram received from Grafton stated that, owing to the promoters of the fancy l__r being held in tho rink in aid of tie church funds persisting in disposing of goods by lottery in direct opposition to Archdeacon Moxons expressed wish, the latter had tendered his resignation of the Grafton parish to tbe Bishop.