A CLERICAL AND UNSUBSTANTIATED SCANDAL.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 176, 16 December 1876, Page 2

A CLERICAL AND UNSUBSTANTIATED SCANDAL.

Some time ago rumors prejudicial to tlie character o£ tlic liev, T. F - Reeve, Wesleyan Minister, were circulated. The minister in question was for some time in charge of this district, and any charges against him have therefore additional interest. We congratulate the church in question as well as the accused in the disproval of the scandal. For obvious reasons we decline to republish particulars, but extract the following from the Rangitikei Advocate of the 4th inst., in which it will be seen that the charges made have wholly failed : For some time past ugly rumors seriously affecting the moral character of one of the Wesleyan ministers formerly resident in Marton have been circulated through the district. On account of the painful nature of the accusation, we abstained from noticing it until such time as the guilt or innocence of the accused minister should have been satisfactorily proved. In justice to this gentleman, we must state that as soon as he heard of it, about a month ago, ho left Nelson and came here to face his accuser, and to demand a full investigation of the whole affair. But though the members of the Taranaki and Wanganui districts assembled at the time for that purpose, the accuser positively refused to give evidence. It was seen, however, that the matter was of too much importance to be allowed to rest in doubt and uncertainty, and after considerable negotiation, an investigation was agreed upon, which was accordingly held in the Wesleyan Church, commencing on Thursday last. After two day’s exhaustive enquiry, we are happy to state, the meeting of the District Committee has recorded its unanimous opinion that the the charge has not been substantiated.”. The fo'lowing document has been placed at our disposal dor publication : Finding of the Taranaki and Wanganui Wesleyan District Meeting in re Cawood v. Reeve. This meeting, having carefully considered the evidence brought in support of an accusation made by Mr G. S. Cawood against Itev. T. F. llccvc, records its unanimous opinion that the evidence has wholly failed to substantiate the charge. (Signed) Rainsfokd Bavin, Chairman J, H. Simmoxds, Secretary, Geo. Stanniuid J. Law F. W. Isitt.