WARM BATHS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1092, 29 April 1863, Page 5

WARM BATHS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —I wish to draw your attention to the fact that in the city of Christchurch there is not to he found a place where a warm bath can be had ; this is the more surprising, as in other places in New Zealand, not so large, or with such pretensions to future importance, every convenience for warm bathing is easily procurable. The healthfulness of the practice need not be contended for at the present time, and if no one as a private speculator would attempt the erection of baths, I would ask the Government, who seem so disposed to pursue any course likely to serve the place or its inhabitants, to erect public baths, or guarantee a fair percentage (of which I make not the slightest doubt) on the outlay of some private individual. To a stranger coming from the old country this want is doubly apparent, and if he do not come to the conclusion that the people here worship dirt, he must surely think they pay little attention to health or cleanliness. Will you kindly use your justlyearned influence for the removal of a want which I hesitate not to say reflects disgrace on Christchurch. Your obedient servant, A BATHER. Christchurch, April 27, 1863. TO THE EDITOK OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —I feel sure you will gladly insert in the Times, the enclosed notice of the late Sir Mathew Blakiston, Bart. It is cut from an English paper. Although of more interest at home, yet we at the " Ends of the Earth " who have amongst us some members of his respected family, must feel an interest in any notice of so good a man. We cannot but wish that we had here some such devoted Christian man as the late Baronet—men ready for every good work. Instructing the young in the principles of our most holy faitli—commending and advocating the objects of the great Bible and Missionary Societies, as well as through the Colonial and Continental Church Society, sending pious clergymen to some of the Colonies, these and other benevolent works were his delight. Comment is needless. In life and death he teaches us a valuable lesson. Your's, &c. UP COUNTRY.

The Late Sir Matthew Blakiston, Bart.— A correspondent of the 'Derbyshire Advertiser' sketches the character of this excellent gentleman, and pays a deserved tribute to his memory:— " Among the beloved and devoted servants of God, who have departed from the midst of us during the present year, we have now to number the venerable name of Sir Matthew Blakiston, Bart., of Sandy Brooke Hall, Ashbourn, in the eightieth year of his age. It is fully forty-eight years since Sir Matthew, at the commencement of his residence in this country, entered the Sunday School at Ashbourn, as a stranger, and gave evidence of his deep interest in that work, as well as of his genuine benevolence, which are remembered still with gratitude, and which proved the earnest of a course of piety that has been maintained by him, through the grace of God, unblemished and undiminished in active energy, to his latest day. Sir Matthew's Christian interest in the aged, the infirm, the sick and the afflicted, was untiring ; while his enlightened, cheerful, and painstaking watchfulness over the young—especially over those of them who formed his favorite Sunday class, has left impressions, we trust, both of the duty and blessedness of early self-dedication to God, which, ripening into Christian decision, will add, it is our hope, a sheaf more precious than of gold to the harvest of this good man. Sir Matthew's name, and the weight of his warm-hearted zeal for the Gospel of the pure Word of God. were given to many of our Evangelical Societies. lie was locally foremost among the best friends of the cause of the Jews, of the British and Foreign liible Society, of the Church Missionary, and of the Colonial and Continental Church Society, of which last he was the local president, as he also was first president of the Midland Lay and Clerical Society. His support of such good works was marked by aptness in business, willingness to labour, and unflagging energy. As a churchman, Sir Matthew presented a remarkable union of discreet subordination to parochial order, with large-hearted love towards every sincere Christian brother; and it may truly be said of him, that, placed in a station of leading influence, and with many social and domestic connexions, which might have claimed his chief interest and care, he, nevertheless, gave not his mind to high things, but condescended rather to men of low estate. Sir Matthew's last public act was the following an aged parent's remains to their resting-place, with whom it has been granted him thus speedily to be re-united in a Saviour's presence. How many of his poorer neighbours will long mourn the loss of his friendly

visit, his cheering voice, and his generous hand? He fell asleep on Tuesday morning last, in a good old age, and in the peace of God; but, though dead, his memory will yet speak, we trust, with fruitful power, as an example of genuine and consistent piety among those who knew him; and prove to his revered lady and her house a source of lasting comfort and satisfaction."