MATTHEW BURNETT' SMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7773, 20 October 1886, Page 3

MATTHEW BURNETT' SMISSION.

TO THE EDITOR. Siß, —Mr. Matthew Burnett has jußfc com* pleted his mission in Auckland, extending over sixteen days. He has on several days delivered as many as four addresses in schools, workshops, &c, in addition to the evening meetings. In fact, his zeal and working power equal anything we have ever heard of. The meetings have generally been well atteuded and enthusiastic, and a number of pledges have been taken, but collections have not been large, the total being just sufficient for the expenses of halls, advertising, &c. It is gratifying to know that there is no deficiency, but there is nothing for Mr. Burnett. Ho has no private means, makes no financial arrangement, paying his travelling expenses, receiving only the proceeds of the missions conduoted by him. A more disinterested man in that respect there cannot be. There must be many who have been benefited by his work, who admire his abounding zeal ; and others who sympathise with his object, who will be prepared to subscribe to a fund for his sole benefit. Sir William Fox has headed the list with a subscription of £3. The organisation of the Gospel Temperance Committee has been employed for the mission but the committee is under no pecuniary obligation to Mr. Burnett, in addition to which the funds are not in a condition to allow any finanoial assistance to be rendered. It is not contemplated to raise a large sum, bat the friends would not like him to leave the city without something to help him on his way, and assist him in the support of his family. Contributions, large or small, will be thank* fully received by Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Mr. A. Cox, secretary, Gospel Temperance Mis« sion, Coombes' Arcade, or by the writer.— Yours, &c, C. Wobbovs, President Gospel Temperance Mission, Hepburn-street, Ootober 19, 1886. [ADVERTISEMENT.] TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING BELL. Sir,—Oar attention has been called to your loading article of the 9th ultimo, in which you make unfavourable comments on our firm and the manner la which we conduct our builuess.snd you shelter yourself behind a pretended sympathy (or the poor. We can quite understand why such sympathy for the poor and the unemployed should be a leading topic in your paper. It is the man who profit a penny paper. We want to know why you should listen to the disparaging and slanderous reports of one agency as against another agency. In trade, he is a low mean fellow who would try to ruin his neighbour in the same department of labour by scandal, go that he may erect his business on the ruin thereof. Now, sir, you will recollect that in former slanders, which we regret to say your paper has enoiuraged, we have had occasion to caution you, and recommended you always to apply to the fountain head, so that you may not expose yourself to false reports and false statements. We claim to be as well, or perhaps better disposed to those who ara unfortunately placed in poor and trying circumstances as the Editor of the Bell. But we have no desire to flaunt our sympathy before the world, and wa challenge yon to bring forward a single instance in which we have been compelled to reDlant unfairly or untruly en either male or female who may have Lad transactions through our office. It is true that in forwarding servants to their employers, we are frequently reflected upon for sending parties whose character has only been discovered by the closer, observation of those who took them beneath their own roof. Aa an editor professing honesty, we claim at your hands that whenever you have any complaint' to make concerning our agency, that you will fairly and honourably hear the other side of the story.—Wei, are, &c, : R. M. Hewhton a Co/* Auokland, October 12, 1886. [The above was refused insertion by the Bell.— R. M. H, & Co.]