Pastor William Birch, of the Union Free Church, Wellesley-streeb, left for Lyttelton to-day by the steamer Takapuua, from the Manukau. He will bo absent for two or three weoks, having accepted an invitation to preach in Christchurch during that period. Ho sent us the following for pub lication prior to his departure: — Some of the well-to-do children are taking great interest in this seasonable and truly benevolent movement. One little fellow gave in his parcel with the following note : " Mount-street, December 18. Dear Pastor Birch, —I have brought you a lew things tor the poor children who don't get anything at Christmas, like I do. I asked mother if I could take you a few thing?, as 1 am now too big for the things I had on a top shelf, and she put a few things to it.' 1 hope lots of children will hrir.fjr you nice things.— Yours truly, Albert ." Miss Rita , a sweet little maiden of O'Rorke street, also came with a heavy parcel of picture books, etc.,saying, "Please, Pastor Birch, will you give these things to some little girls who are not so well off as I am ?" And with tears in his eyes, a man in a blouse, came with a pound note, saying, 'No name; put it down as ' A Friend of the Little Ones.' " Mr Robert Fry, at his Queen-street office, next door to Milne and Choyce, will gladly receive parcels, etc., for distribution, in cheering others who cannot return our kindness except by feeling thankful, we ourselves greatly cheer. Please send the names of all poor fatherless children in the country to Mr Robert Fry. God bless the poor and sorrowing this Christmas ! " And all the people say Amen."i

OUR GOLDFIELDS.
