THE BISHOP OF NELSON AND THE LATE NATIVE MINISTER.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5067, 3 December 1881, Page 3

THE BISHOP OF NELSON AND THE LATE NATIVE MINISTER.

The following correspondence appeared in yesterday's " Lyttelton Times," and was referred to by the Hon. W. Rolleston in his remarks at the Avon nomination :—

The Bishop of Nelson forwards the appended telegrams in consequence of the threat held out by the Hon. Mr Bolleston, that the Bishop would recognise that he was justified in publishing the correspondence. The Bishop was unwilling to publish them, out of regard for Mr Bolleston, but considers a public duty prior to personal considerations. The Bishop has yet to learn that it is the prerogative ot the Government to use the telegraph ad libitum for the purpose of brow-beating individuals who may, in the exercise of the rights of private citizens, express their opinions of the collective acts of the Government.

The Bishop did not make use of his office or position to propagate views whioh, although novel to the Government, deafened with the Elaudits of present success, are freely expressed y many. The conplete independence of any Government, which the Bishop enjoys, enables him to expose an act of espionage which might be disastrous to a subordinate.

November 25th, 1881. To the Bishop of Nelson, Napier. It has been stated to mc that your Lordship has said to several people, whose statement I do not feel jaetified in discrediting, that the Government's treatment of the Natives on the West Coast has been actuated by political considerations with a view to influencing the elections. Will your Lordship be good enough to inform mc whether my information ie correct. W. Bolleston, Christcharch. 11. Beply. November 25th, 1891.

To the Hon. W. Bollesten. The remarks complained of, whether made by mc or not, seem to mc to be Bell-evident and harmless. Bnt I respectfully protest against the Government's requiring of mc, or of anyone, an account of private conversations. Wβ might as well be in Russia at once! Much of my opposition would Bβ removed 11 yon cold make it dear to mc that Te Whiti really had the amount of land reserved pointed ont to him ; if the Government would allow the question of the legality of the confiscation to be decided by law, and will secure that Te Whiti has the be*t professional advice that can be got, so that hie plea—-not aia alleged crime—may be gone into. Bishop of Nslson.

Ghristchurch, 9 30am., November 26th, 1881. To the Bishop of Nelson, Napier. I have received your Lordship's telegram in reply to mine of yesterday, asking whether your Lordship was rightly reported to have said to several people that the Government's treatment of the Natives on the West Coast has been actuated by political considerations, with a, visw to influencing the elections. Your Lordship's reply ie, "The remarks complained of, whether made by mc or not, seems to be self-evident and harmless; and you protest against the Government requiring of yon, or of anyone, an account of private conversation." I submit that I have not required an account of private conversation, but asked ac to the correctaeßß of a statement reported to mc that your lordship imputed to mc. as lately holding the office of Native Minister and to the Government of which I am a member, conduct of a character very disgraceful to us, either as pubho men or privatT individuals. I had hoped that your Lordship might have been misunderstooa, or that you would have been prepared to correct what, on further oonsiderafaon, would, appear to be gratuitous and unwarrantable dander of mea acting under a heavy bility. much of your opposition woold be removed il «ert*in explanations were afforded and certain assurances given in reply. *££•*•*{**%!* I consider it unnecessary b> take any steps for removing the opposition of one who has not thought it inconsistent with hie sacred office Jo eiivatdy slander hia neighbour, and MPw** 0 eablic men base motives, in actions wjwj™? possibly the lives of large numbers of their feUow-creatareß. Y«ot LoxdsMp wiU reoogjuse that this ie such as I am josenea in publishing. WtEoLias xoN.

TV. •: , ■;; i Napier, 3 p m. [ ; Norember 26th, 1881. To Hon. W. Bolleston, Chriatohnrch. Aβ yon intend to publish the correspondence, be so good as to publish the whole. H my opposition was worth noticing at all, wonld it not seem worth while w> allay it by eivxng tome atteraooes on the points referred to F Let the people judge whether yonr remaika on mc an justifiable. „ BIBHOF OV HILSOK.