Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1913, Page 34

Notes

The Christchurch Visit

Mr. J. M. Carmody, of Ensor’s road, Christchurch, writes to us as follows: ‘As an old boy of the Christian Brothers’ School, Dunedin, I am writing to thank the Marist Brothers of Christchurch for the way they catered for the boys of my old school, who were with us recently, to see the battleship. Never have I seen arrangements so well planned and so well carried out. The Brothers met the boys at the station and marched them to their school, where in a well warmed room their hosts were waiting for them. On arrival they were warmly greeted with three cheers from the Marist boys. The task of billeting was then carried out by the Brothers of the two schools; and in less than an hour our boys were in comfortable quarters. This speaks volumes for the arrangements, and I feel sure the boys will not forget the kindness bestowed on them during their stay by the Marist teachers and pupils.’ The Palmerston Controversy If the letters which appear in the Palmerston and Waikouaiti Times are any criterion it would seem that this controversy has aroused considerable local interest. A correspondent signing himself ‘ Interested ’ writes: ‘ Allow me to express my appreciation of the letters in your paper recently written by the Rev. Mr. Clarke and the Rev. Father Lynch (grammar, etc., notwithstanding). To me, a Protestant, it 7 s most interesting to hear the other side of this religious question. Now I feel I would like to hear Father Lynch preach, and I cannot say I ever hankered to do so before.’ * Another correspondent —‘ Intelligently Alert ’ — evidently of a sporting turn, writes in part as follows, under the heading ‘ The Opinion of a Non-Church Goer ’: ‘As one of your readers I am deeply interested in the religious controversy now proceeding in your journal. To me personally and to others the controversy is both educational and highly interesting, and serves for fruitful discussion. I note, however, that a correspondent calling himself “Tired” has asserted that it is the unanimous wish of the community that you should close down on the controversy. Allow me to also assert that it is not the wish of the community; on the contrary, many of us desire to see the

matter threshed out thoroughly by the educated principals. . . I must thank Father Lynch for his lucid explanation of the axiom "Out of the Church there is no salvation." Many difficulties that I had on this axiom have now been cleared up, hence at least the controversy is of educational benefit. I hope Mr. Clarke will see the expediency of continuing the discussion. It ( would not do at this juncture to throw in the "towel" the matter from his side is not at all settled yet. Mr. Clarke has told us Father Lynch was playing a game of ''bluff." I.suppose he refers to the game of poker. Well, we have seen something of Father Lynch hand it is fairly good. Now we want to see the Rev. Mr. Clarke's. Possibly he holds a "routine flush," and since Father Lynch is paying to see it is necessary for Mr. Clarke to produce his hand, otherwise he is on the "bluff." The public will pass the verdict who has won the game.'