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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 35, 14 May 1881, Page 373

Parsons arc constantly declaiming against the impropriety of promoting morbid sensationalism, and yet when an eligible opportunity offers they are the very first persons to wallow in it. Last Sunday evening nearly every cleric in Auckland "improved the occasion " by preaching either maudlin or blood-and-thundersermons on the " Tararua " disaster, and the majority were also careful to take advantage of thenhearers softened feelings to send round the hat. Many churchgoers, we hear, gave liberally, being under the impression that they were assisting the afflicted relatives of those who lost their lives at Otara ; but we should uncommonly like to know how many of the churches really applied the collections made to this particular purpose. The Wesleyans, with greater frankness than good taste, openly stated that the funds they got would go to help the widows of Mr. Richardson, and the other clerical representatives who were proceeding to the Congress. The witlows of the lay representatives are apparently to be left to take care of themselves, and yet they need help far more than the she-parsons. Mrs. Waterhouse will be entitled to upwards of £100 a-year from a special fund for clergymen's widows, and her sisters in distress will of course be provided for from the same source. We are also informed that the lives of nearly all the divines were insured, and that besides they leave a good deal of property, so that their afflicted relatives really need help less than anyone. But it is always the way, " To him who ho th, etc., etc."