AN EXPLANATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 28, 10 April 1891, Page 19

AN EXPLANATION.

TO THE EDITOR N.Z. TABLET.

Sib, — Kindly allow me space to make a statement in reference to the small drawing in aid of the proposed church of the Sacred Heart in N.E. Valley, which seems called for.

lat. — The suite of drawing-room furniture now on view at Scoullar and Chisnolm's, and valued by them at £25, will D 3 presented to winner of prize No. 2J (a small painting in oils), and NOT to ticket marked No. 20, as some erroneously suppose— unless, indeed, 20 be the lucky number. This seemingly aupeifluous explanation is made because of the indignation of a few persons who bought tickets, saw a certain notice in Scoullar and Cbisholm's window, and found they had not No. 20 in their possession. Being so anxious to secure the handsome suite, the best thing they can now do is to take a few more books of tickets. Practically, the winner of prize 20 will receive a tapestry and plush suite of nine pieces to furnish a drawing-room and a small oil painting to adorn the walls.

2nd. — As to the di mond cross : All that cau be said about it is that it was given by His Lordship Bishop Moran, who cannot say what it cost in South Afiici. There are thirteen diamonds set in a Celtic cross of Soutr African gold. The centre diamond is about the size of a pea, and the cross is nearly two inches ii length. A well-known Dunedin jeweller cannot value it ; a diamond-cutter — a specialist in gems — cannot assign a value, because of the uncut state of the diamonds, but assures me that the thirteen gems are just as they came out of the mine.

3rd. — Some have expressed the hope that there may be no postponement. I would remind these persons that the words "no postponement" are printed on the tickets in larga letters. From the first the fixed and unalterable resolution has been to have the drawing held, no matter what the returns, positively on the day announced.

4th. — A correspondent has asked may she keep the complimentary ticket. The person who keeps or disposes of the smill book of ten tickets is presented with the eleventh, markei complimentary on the back.

slh. — I have been told by a gentleman from another part of New Zealand, that blocks of tickets cold, would, in many instances, be returned at once but for the ft.ar that a sicond book would irr>mediately be sent. Being a mere novice in the art union business I cannot say what the ordinary practice is, but the rule laid down in this matter for this small drawing has be n, and is, this : — Persons who have disposed of one: b'jok of te i tickets, an 1 wis i to <ii«pcse of a second will have to write foi another. A second book will not be Bent ua.eas specially asksd for.

6th. — With regard now to the prizes offered — care has been taken to secure prizes of artistic merit ana of soli i value (vitlr Otago Daily Tones and N. Z Tablet). Values h^ve not been put on prizes named in tickets, but tne public have been allowed to inspect and judge for tbemselvis.

7th. — To give an idea of approxim 'te value 3 (it is hard to give real value of oil painting, for instance), the por'raitof Bishop Moran i painted by a Royal Academician is valued at £10 10s. The steel engraving of Dore's picture " The D.eim of Pilate's Wife,' is valued at £10 10s. lam told by persons who consider themwlves competent judges tna' it i«. worth m ich nvne. All I say is : '■ It is a beautiful picture, and the winner will be lucky." A pair of handpainted vases are Faul to have cjst £12 12i at Melb lurne Exhibition. A cunnoii-seur Bays they are certainly worth £10 10-?. The. bronzes may be set down at £5 sa. 'I be much-admired tea set cost £5 5s in Dunenin. Several oil paintings are valued from £5 upwards. Whatever be the value tf priz -a, most of which have been presented, the winners will find, 1 venture to s^y, that they will not be sorry they invested a phtlling, or even took a whole bjok of ten shilling-tickets.

Bth. — As the drawing will take place on May 2."j, blocks should be Bent in. if possible, before May 20. It is eaid that the time fur dis. posal of tickets U short. That is 'rue, but the pei.-on who will work and will be unab c to dispose of ten shilling-tickets in two months would hardly succeed better if the linae were prolonged. Shakespeare sa> s : •' In del iy there lies no plenty."

9ih. — A word m reference to the object. The congregation at N.E. Talley, Dunedin, is very sma'l, and unable of itself to do much just now. Fully hilf the congregation in Kirk's Hall at Mass last Sunday were children, or y nn^ peop c who hvl just left school. By disposing of a small bo ik of ten tickets help will be uiven to build a church tor a stuiggiin^ people, who are doing their best by weekly subscriptions to pay for the bite.

10th. — And labtly, for helping to build another church in honour pi the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a special blessing will without doubt be

given by Him who has said that persons who spread devotion to tbe Sacred Heart will have their names written in that Heart never to be effaced. Thanking you for allowing me to occupy so much space, — I am etc., p. Ltnch,