BISHOP NEVILL AND THE MAORI UNKNOWN.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 139, 9 March 1877, Page 6

BISHOP NEVILL AND THE MAORI UNKNOWN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — On reading your leader of Friday last, animadverting on Dr Nevill' s unceremonious treatment of the Presbyterian mission at the Heads, it occurred to me to read a second time Dr NoA-ih's letter addressed to Dr Stuart (published in your last issue), to see if there Avas anything therein that might corroborate the A-ieAv .you took of that treatment. That "second reading fully satisfied me that you have struck the right nail on the head Avhen -you trace that treatment to Dr Nevill's High Churchism, and the intolerant arrogance that is its offspring. Though dealing Avith a matter that closely affects the -interests and the Avork of the Presbyterian 'Church, lie never once speaks of that •Church as a Church, nor of Dr Stuart, his 'correspondent, as a minister or clergyman, -a position which it is well knoAvn Dr Nevill denies to him and all similarly siturated. While he speaks of the " Church of England," and " a native clergyman, a Maori clergyman, the ReA T . Mr Ngara, the Rev. Mr Moore, the Re%-. Mr Stanley," combination of ReA*. and Mr are Dr Nevill's own,) these belonging to his oavii Church, he speaks of Dr Stuart as "a Recognised leader of an important religious , community," of Rev. Alex Blake as plain '" Mr Blake," (denying him the appellation '" Rev." as of course not belonging to him "as not episcopally ordained,) and of the -Presbyterian Church as. " a religious community," " the body to 'which Parato'mu Avas attached." Thus contemptuously does he treat the largest branch ef the Christian Church in Otago and its ministers, even when corresponding Avith one ef them, plainly shewing to Avhat an extent he is prepared to carry the ecclesiastical and 'exclusive arrogance by which you account for his doings at the Heads. Let any one peruse Ms letter to Dr Stuart, and he cannot fail to agree with you in your leader of Friday last. — I am, &c,

Observer,