Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 444, 17 July 1850, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the NewZealander. Siu, — It was with deep pain I read two communications in your la'e paper, on the subject of Archdeacon H. Williams's dismissal by the Church Missionary Society. 1 had hoped that that step having been taken, he would be now allosed to slip away into the ease and retiieinent to which his advanced age aud laborious services entitle him. While I would altogether disclaim all appearance of justifying Aichdeacon H. Williams's savings and doings, I cannot but feel that to strike a prostrate man is the generous ;— particularly a man who has been the means of doing so much good in the country. I will ventuie to hope that though, as yon hin f , you will avail of the oppoitanity now offered of ascertaining the ttue position of ceitain questions, your Christian feeling will yet constrain you to spare this now supeiannuated servant of our Common Master. As a missionaiy he may have erred in the way in which he sought to make provision for his family. Still it should be remembeied that he has only done what thousand* of the best of men in all parts of the world have done, and are doing ; namely, has g.ven a lull and fair equivalent to others for properties of which thpy had no need, and for which they could find but little use. It is, I think, too severe to assert that he availed himself of his peculiar influences as a missionary to obtain properly. For, as the early seltleis of this colony can atiest. there was no difficulty at thai time, anJ up to the date of certain recent arrangements of the Government, in obtaining as valuable lands as those of Archdeacon H. Williams in any part of the island, and in many cases at a much less price than liidt paid by Archdeacon H. Willi-uns. The rate also of his purchases was four times moie by tha Government now pays, and C-ptain Pitzßoy was so sensible of the justness of his claims tint he gave him an in* creased grant. Though Archdeacon H. Williams's missionary brethren have not scrupled to express their disappioval of these ol his acts, which they did not considei justifiable, th y will yet follow htm into his retieat with their kindest remembrances and best wishes. 1 lemain, Sir, Youis, K'c, A Church Missionary.

[WereaHi'y insert our Iteveieud correspondent's letter ; but if he will revert to our observations on the subject, he will see that we did not pronounce any judgment of our own on the conduct of Archdeacon \l. vVii.iiams. Our object simply was to bear testimony to what we be'ieved to be the religiously upright and even fraternal s.u'iit in which the Parent Committee dealt with the painful case, — according lo the evidence which came before them. Nothing could be farther from our thou</ ■ "> r wishes than to " strike a prostiate man," especially buch a man as Archdeacon H. Williams. InJeeii we probab'y should not have reverted to the subject at all, had we not been requested by a gentleman, who, we understand is a warm fiiend ol the Archd aeon, to insert a resolution which alone at fhst appeared in our columns :— and then, it was a matter of simple duty on our part, to publish the whole seiies of resolutions which the Bishop kindly, and most properly forwarded to us, with the view ol enabling the public to judge for themselves of the entire question between Archdeacon H. Willtams and the Society at home. — Ed]