ST. THOMAS' CHURCH RUINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18763, 17 July 1924, Page 7

ST. THOMAS' CHURCH RUINS.

Sir,—Some misleading statements have recently been made in respect of the ruins of St. Thomas' Churcli at West Tamaki. The property' has been described as belonging to the Melanesian Mission. It has nothing to do with Lie Melanesian Mission. It ia vested in tho General Trust Board of the. Diocese of Auckland, in trust as a sito for a church. The board has no power to hand tho property over to the local governing body, and as soon as the need is felt, a church will ba erected upon the property. This will not necessarily involve tho removal of the ruin 3of the old church. Should circumstances permit, the ruins will no doubt be retained as an object of historical interest. As to the upkeep of tho f rounds, it is usual for a church site to o maintained and kept in order by the parish within which it is situated. The Trust Board morely holds the property in trust for tho parish concerned, unfortunately, does not possess a fund applicable to the maintenance oi such site. The board ha 3 recently accepted a generous offer from local residents to carry out a certain amount of work for improving the condition of the church siteThese local residents are no doubt Church, of England people, who, in due course, will be responsible for maintaining the site, as a matter of parish organisation, when a church is built. G. -4.. Thompson, Secretary General Trust Board.