CANON STOWELL’S CALUMNIES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 18 September 1862, Page 3

CANON STOWELL’S CALUMNIES.

To the Editor of the Taranaki Herald. Sib,—On receipt of your numbers per last mail, I wrote to the Eev Canon Stowell regarding his remarks on the Taranaki settlers (copy, &c., annexed—l have not yet heard from the Times.) The Eev. Canon, in his letter to the Manx Sun, admits that he spoke too warmly, but that substantially he entertained the opinions expressed, referring to Bishop Selwin, Mr Fox, and others. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, May 15,1862. J. Y. Llotd. [copy] Eev. Sih, —The enclosure copied from t he Taranaki Hernld of Feb. Ist 1862, I have the honor to forward for your perusal. Possessing proper!', in the province of Taranaki, New Zealand, I feei called on in justice to myself and brother seniors to ask you on what authority you ventured to calumniate us (as reported in the enclosed). Surely your must have been sadly misinformed, or carried

away by feelings at variance with the Gospel which you profess to teach and preach. There are, her. Sir, limits to the expression of opinion in public meetings, though the subject be to create sympathy and consequent increase of intended donations, or to raise a cheer ; for I perceive, though much surprised when I read it, that your speech'drew forth “Loud and continued applause.” What right, may I ask, had you to apply to any of the Taranaki settlers the following scurrilous epithets:— “Offscouring and vagabonds of our country.” “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” The “ vagabonds” whom lam proud to call brothersettlers mustered strong in the Taranaki Militia. Having organised and trained that crops, I had for months opportunities of judging of the “Offscouring” of Britain ; and I chnllange any Colony to produce an equal number of Militia who could, under like trying circumstances as they experienced when undergoing instruction, conduct themselves in a more orderly manner, or could excel the Taranaki Militia and Rifle Company in gallantry and efficiency in front of the enemy, for example—“ The affair at Waireka.” Yourremarks on the British arms in contrast with the Maori soldier speak for themselves, and prove how men —the best of men—are carried away by factious feelings. A word or to two on “tbe brightest gem in the diadem of the Church Missionary Society.” True Christianity has done much for the Maories'; but of late years “the gem” has contracted spots. That the Taranaki setttlers do not altogether ignore religion and its obligations a visit to New Plymouth on the Sabbath, when not a publichouse is suffered to bo opened, would satisfy even the most sceptical. You closed your “speech” thus : “ I speak warmly ; but I 'sp'eak it as the advocate of the poor oppressed aborigines, and I am satisfied it is a wholesome truth to tell it.” You have tlxen, Kev. Sir, set to your seal that what I alarm to be contrary to truth is a “ wholesome truth.” You spoke warmly; I am writing cool and collected, and beg leave to refer you to 2 Tim., chap. ix. v. 21—a wholesome truth. I have the honor to be, Your obedient humble servant, J. Y. Lloyd. Killglass Glebe, Ruskey, Ireland, Apia! 30, 1862. Rev. Canon Stowell, Manchester. [copy ] May 2. Sir, —The best reply which I can make to your letter is the enclosed copy* of a letter addressed by me to tbe Manx Sun, tbe paper which published the report of my speeclx to which your note refers Need I add that nothing was farther from my mind than any asperisons on such gentlemen as yourself / I am, Sir, yours obediently, Major Lloyd. Hugh Stowell. * 1 forwarded it to the Times without taking a copy.—J. Y. L.