THE ANGLICAN CHURCH AT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 6151, 28 November 1882, Page 4

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH AT PORT CHALMERS.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir,—lt is difficult to read tho reply of Bishop Nevill to the petition of the Port Chalmers people with reference to Mr Platts without amazement and regret. I must premise that I have not one word to say against Mr Platts and his conduct of affairs in his present cure, save this: that he and the people do not seem to hit it off, for some reason or other. Bishop Nevill sent Mr Platts to the parochial district of Port Chalmers, as he had a right to, without giving the churchmen there a voice in the appointment. Tho relationship has turned out an unfortunate one. Surely the only wise and common-sense view is to terminate the relationship by removing Mr Phtts™ since the congregation cannot be moved. The Bißhop regrets the threat to starve Mr Platts out, and says it is the first occasion on which such a threat has been used. Let me assure him that it will be by no means the last occasion if he (Bishop Nevill) repeats hi& most unwise and indefensible attitude in regard to other places. Deputations and petitions to Synod and Bishop have been bent in from various parts of the Port Chalmers cure requesting the Bishop to readjust the existing arrangements. The results were nil. Having exhausted the constitutional methods, the unfortunate people say they will pay no more, and are mourned over. The lesson taught the Church at large is this : That unless thoy stop supplies their grievances will fall on deaf ears. The next difficulty that arises will be solved without troubling constituted authorities, by simply refusing to pay an unwelcome clergyman. If the income of tho bishopric depended on voluntary annual subscriptions, it would not be paid for another twelve months.—l am, etc., XYZ. Dunedin, November 27.