THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH FUND.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3006, 18 December 1896, Page 3

THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH FUND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Will you allow me to slate in your columns to my brother-churchmen in this diocese, to whose generosity I am already heavily in debt, the present position of our Cathedral fund. Seventeen months ago, in response to n loading article in your contemporary, followed by a kindly notice in your own • paper, throe magnificent donations ■amountingto .£2OOO worn offered for the erection of a cathedral in Wellington, on condition that wo put oar hands to tho work at once. This condition, together with the growth of our city, so rapid that it forbade the hope of obtaining a central site at anything like a reasonable price unless prompt action were taken, decided us to buy land at once. Two acres situated in Taranaki street, at tho point whore it is joined by Ghuzneo street, wore procured, and handed over to trustees appointed by subscribers to tho Cathedral fund. Tho cost of this land, including three houses standing upon it, is .£7OOO. Of this sura onethird has been paid. Contributions amounting to £4400 have now boon promised, but some of those are spread over a term of years. The sum of £3OOO (Is 8d has been received. If in a Jew weeks £SOO more bo paid into the bank, a friend offered to give another £SOO. This would bring the total actually received to £IOOO, which it is proposed to pay at once to tho vendors of tho land. Tho interest on the remainder of tho purchasemoney will, it is calculated, bo met by the rental of the houses. That we may not forfeit this generous offer, or be compelled to apply any contribution that we may hereafter receive to the payment of interest, I venture to appeal to tho liberality of your readers for the needed £SOO. lam anxious that the sum may be raised at once for tho further reason that it will onablo us to drop tho work of collecting for tho Cathedral for a short time and apply our minds to other needs of tho diocese. Contributions may bo paid to the credit of the Cathedral fund at tho Union Bank, or will be thankfully received by myself.—l am, &c., Frederick, Wellington. Bishopacourt, 17th December, 1896.