THE BISHOPSCOURT BELLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13324, 2 November 1906, Page 8

THE BISHOPSCOURT BELLS.

Sir,l see there is some discussion as to the ownership of the peal of bells at present at Bishopscourt, Parnell. I saw them at tho Exhibition of 1862, held in London. They were a peal of steel bells for the Cathedral Church of Auckland, New Zealand, the gift of Miss Chisholm, of Lee, Blackheath. KENT. Sir,—ln the report of the meeting of the Auckland Diocesan Synod I notice that the General Trust Board have decided to lend the peal of bells at Parnell to St. Matthew's Church, to be returned to Parnell on giving twelve months' notice. Whether St. Matthew's parish, which is already heavily in debt, can afford to remove and hang" the bells on such conditions ' (which will certainly cost £250) I don't know— is their affair; but I do know this, that they were given for the cathedral by Mrs. Selwyn, widow of Bishop G. A. Selwyn, who is still living, and it seems to me to be a gross breach of trust to allow such a diversion without having first consulted the donor. There is too much of this sort of thing in the present day, and it is not likely to encourage donations for specific purposes. Suppose the transfer to have taken place and some churchman should bequeath a sum of money for the erection of a belfry: I wouldn't envy the parties to this questionable transaction. Churchman.