A CLERICAL SCANDAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3611, 7 February 1883, Page 4

A CLERICAL SCANDAL.

A clerical scandal, of Avhich the hero is an Anglican clergyman, was partly ventilated in the Resident Magistrate's Court at AVelliugton on FridaA-r It appears (says a telegram to the Lyttelton Times) that the Re\. Edward C. AVilson arrived from Australia some time ago, and succeeded in being appointed by the Bishop of AVelliugton to the incumbency of Palmerston North. There he got married, and went to considerable expense in furnishing his house Quite lately he and his wife left the district and came doAvn to Wellington. Meanwhile certain of his creditors, suspecting that the rev. gentleman Avas about to imitate the example set by various levauters from these sunny scenes, met together and deputed one of "their number, a cabinetmaker named AVoodroofe, to folloAV him to the Empire City with thoA-ieAV of prevailing upon him to pay up what he owed the sorrowing creditors be had left behind. To enable him to deal more freely with the matter. Mr AVoodroofe purchased other creditors' accounts for a nominal sum ; and after instituting inquiries on anival at AVellimrton, he "deemed it expedient to take out an immediate summons against the Rev. AVilson. He sued in the Resident Magistrate's Court for £35 odd. in his affidavit Mr AVoodroofe stated that the rev. defendant had lately resigned his appointment as a minister of the Anglican Church at Palmerston North, and had caused his furniture and effects to be sold. On Thursday he inquired of the Bishop for information regarding Mr AYilson's movements, and His Lordship told him he had received a letter from Mr AVilson, in Avhich he stated his intention of leaving New Zealand shortly for England. Finally Mr Woodroofe" stated that Mr Wilsons luggage. Avheii leaving Palmerston North, Avas packed and labelled under a fictitious name. A-i_. "'Dr. Harvey.'' and the defendant was about to leave the colony with intent to evade payment of the sum mentioned. After the" immediate summons had been taken out Air Wilson paid £30 into Court, aud then went to consult a solicitor. Mr AVilson denied the insinuation that he was about to leave the colony, and asserted that it avcis his intention to return to Palmerston North and take up his residence thero. Ho admitted having OAved nearly the Avhole of the sums which Avout to makeup the total of £35. Mr Stafford, on behalf of plaintiff, applied for an adjournment to procure additional evidence. Eventually this course was agreed to: but Mr Sh.-tAV announced his determination to proceed airainst Air AVoodroofe for perjury, alleging that the plaintiff's affidavit Avas a " parcel of lies." The case was then adjourned to February 5.