YE FAYRE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3520, 19 October 1882, Page 2

YE FAYRE.

[To the Editob of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir,—l have read with some amusement a letter appearing in jour last issue signed " Wesleyan," and with your kind permission would be glad to say a few words in reply. In the first place I would point out to the writer that the persons who are now doing their utmost to reduce the debt on the Napier Wesleyan Church are uot the same persons that incurred that liability. This may sound strange when we remember how very young the church is, but, nevertheless, it is a fact. Every Wesleyan knows that it was the minister who was the leading spirit in creating the debt, and that the trustees sanctioned such debt. Now, both minister and trustees have been changed since the debt was incurred, and it is its present trustees and officebearers, who, remembering the injunction to " owe no man anything," are endeavoriog to clear the debt off. " Wesleyan" next takes exception to the plan adopted for clearing off the debt, namely, "Ye Fayre." Now, if any Wesleyan had anything to urge against the Fayre, it was when the matter was first mooted, and not now that he should have made it known ; but, as it was, the plan was adopted unanimously. Iα the matter of dancing, I think most sensible people will agree with me that what was regarded as a vice and crime in former days will not bear that construction now, awi even if dancing of the ordinary ball-room character is still open to objection, the mere running round a pole by a number of children is do more a sin than children playing in the school-yard. It is asked what would John Wesley cay if he could walk into the Theatre next week and see all that is going on there ? In reply I would say John Wesley was a man of his time, and if he had lived from hie day until now his plans would have changed just as much as the times have changed. He would have exchanged the old stage coach for the railway train, and the old oil lamp for the gas jet, and the old begging collection or other plans then adopted for " Ye Old Englyshe Fayre." Aβ one of the office-bearers I may say I should be heartily glad to see John there next week, and would, instead of slinking away, go up and shake hands with him, and chow bim all the sights, from the May-pole dance to the "Punch and Judy " snow. In conclusion I would like to give a word of advice to " Wesleyan," and that is, that be should go to the liawke's Bay Ke/ngeratiag Company, and get frozen, and bo kept for say five" hundred years, and then be trotted out again ac a novelty, when he might take better.—l am, &c ,

Napier, October 19tb, 1882