ARREST OF A CLERGYMAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1633, 13 September 1887, Page 4

ARREST OF A CLERGYMAN.

At the last sitting of the Diocesan Synod in October, 1886, the Rev. W. Rad cliff e made his appearance as Chaplain to his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch. In fact, he came to the colony under appointment to that Chaplaincy, and at the meeting of the Synod in question he delivered his maiden speech, which, for its eloquence and earnestness, drew forth the enconiums of his fellow-synodsmen, some of whom predicted for him a useful career. He was elected curate to the Rev. W. A. Pascoe, incumbent at the Avonside Church, and was placed in charge of the New Brighton district, where he bad opportunities of establishing himself successfully and winning the esteem of his flock. He also became chaplain to the Mounted Volunteer Company. He took up h>s residence in the house once occupied by Mr Oliver Wansey, and ic is said took over the the farm from the then owners believing it to be a paying concern. It is reported to have been otherwise. Nothing became publicly known to question the prediction of his career being a useful one, until after the 17'h August last, on which day the bouse was burned down, and the rev. gentleman mourned th* loss of Indian relics and furniture. On the house there was £SOO insurance, and £240 on the furniture. The latter sum was paid over to him promptly by the Company, and a few days subsequently creditors were seeking, but were unable to find, the Rev. W.Eadchffe. The machinery of the law was set in motion and the rev. gentleman v was declared a bankrupt on petition, he having left the colony with over £2O, and enough to satisfy the claims of the creditors who moved in the matter. The Rev. W. Eadcliffe’s »movements were discovered. The electric telegraph was just a little smarter than he reckoned upon. He was known to have taken steamer from the Bluff to Melbourne, where he arrived in the b.s. Rotomaham on the Ist instant, and the following day shipped by a P. and 0. boat for Adelaide. He had an unpleasant surprise awaiting him. He had left Christchurch on the morning of the 25th August, and on the sth September, the very day he set foot on South Australian soil, he was detained at the instance of the Christchurch Inspector of Police. His plan, whatever it might have been, was spoiled at the last minute; just before his next move, which would have placed him on a boundless ocean, free from warrants, detectives, or police, and with nothing worse to trouble him than an elastic conscience. He, however, has failed to find “fresh fields and pastures new” suitable to his taste, and when he returns to the land of his pastoral work, under charge of Constable Sturmer —who has proceeded to delaide with the warrant of arrest issued under the Fugitive Offenders Act—the Rev. W. Radcliffe will have an excellent opportunity of explaining ho* it was that he fell so far away from his maiden speech of October, 1886. Press,