GIFT TO CHURCH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21064, 16 June 1938, Page 7

GIFT TO CHURCH

INTEREST IN NEW ZEALAND Lord Bledisloe’s Act Criticised Reply by Descendent of John Robert Godley United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph -Copyright (Received June 15. 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 15. Lord Kilbracken in a letter to “The Times” on the announcement regarding Lord Bledisloe’s gift to St. Lawrence Jewry, says: “It might suggest that a member of my family flagrantly disregarding sentimental considerations, sold the candelabrum which Lord Bledisloe subsequently purchased. John Robert Godley, my grandfather, died in 1861. My grandmother carefully preserved the Candelabrum until bhe died in 1907. It then came into the possession of my father, who was never even approximately in a position cf having to sell his effects and certainly would not have sold the candelabrum. Nevertheless, when he died in 1932, the candelabrum was reported mysteriously missing. While I do not suggest Lord Bledisloe has not come into possession of the candelabrum legitimately, I hope when he returns from Rhodesia he will clear up the mystery.” It was announced a day or two ago that on behalf of New Zealand, Viscount Bledisloe presented a candelabrum to St. Lawrence Jewry, the New Zealand, rs’ London church. The candelabrum was originally the Canterbury Provincial Government’s gift to John Robert Godley, founder of the province and its fint ?gent-general. It is 26in high. The lower panels bear the arms of the province and of Godley, and the upper now’ bear the arms of Lord Bledisloe and the City of London.