BISHOP OF MELANESIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 196, 28 November 1910, Page 8

BISHOP OF MELANESIA.

WILL RESIGN HIS BISHOPRIC. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Bishop Wilson, of Melanesia, intends resigning his bishopric at the end of July next, or at the end of next year, on account of the decision arrived at to remove the headquarters of the bishop from Norfolk Island to one of the islands of Melanesia, where, owing to the unhealthy climate, it is not desirable that a man with a family should reside. His Lordship, in an interview, expressed Ms disappointment with the results of the Anglo-French Convention in the New Hebrides, and stated that its failure must be attributed to the impossibility of two great nations taking control of one small group of islands. He gave credit to the authorities for doing all in their power, but it seemed to him that an impossible task was imposed on them. The convention assured the white men possession of lands bought by them from natives, but as to protecting the natives it waa absolutely unworkable. In almost every case the native was bottom dog, and grog-selling and kidnapping were as bad, if not worse, than ever.