BITTER CORRESPONDENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1926, Page 1

BITTER CORRESPONDENCE

LONDON, November 28. A bitter controversy between tlic Duke of Argyll, and Rev. J. Scoular Thomson, minister of the parish of Invercbaolain, Argyllshire, is revealed by letters sent to the Press for publication. . Tho origin of tho correspondence was a discussion regarding a font. Tn a letter to Air Thomson the Duke stated that ho found that Mr Thomson had been meddling in the affairs of a parish which did not concern him. The Duke concluded:— T intend to have religious peace throughout the marches of my Lordship of Cowall. Between this and Easter T shall write setting you eortain penances to do. Air Thomson dated Tils letter of reply “ on or about the anniversary of the Lamont murders” (a. reference to a massacre of over a hundred Laments by members of the Clan Campbell, ot which tho Duke is chieftain). Mr Thomson wrote : Long and silently have I waited for the imposition and penances befitting my misdemeanours, and 1 must now presume that your Grace, following illustrious family precedent, has postponed valour to discretion. Farther on, the minister stated: Gone are the days when it was reckoned an honour to he kicked by an Earl, cursed by a Count, and mall rented bv a Marquis. Gone, too, happily, are the days when a Campbell sheriff, a Campbell jury, a Campbell prosecutor, and a Campbell hangman in a. Campbell court could further the policy and glut the vengeance of a Campbell Chieftain ; ....