THE LATE BISHOP SELWYN.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1867, 20 April 1878, Page 2

THE LATE BISHOP SELWYN.

("Morning Herald.") Tho death of tho Bishop of Lichfiold, tho first Bishop of Now Zealand, will excite deep sorrow in many a Now Zealand breast. George Augustus Relwyn was tho second «on of tho late William Selwyn, Q. 0.. a man of groat ominonco at the bar. William Selwyn will long be known to lawyers as a reporter of cases at the King's Bench, in conjunction with tho lato Mr Justico Maulo, and as tho author of a work on the la\r of nin prius, which has gone through thirteen oditions He was also solectert to read constitutional law with the late Prince Consort, and ho and his two sons, William and George, wero hold in great esteem by Hor Majesty and her Consort. Our then future Bishop. George Augustus Solwyn, was horn in 1809. and was 69 at tho time of his death. Ho was educated for the Church, by l.is own choice, at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge. He took his de^roo a«j iunior optime in mathema tio% and obtained first class in classics. After his ordination ho hecamo a tutor at Eton, and Curate of Windsor, and lie was consecrated Bishop of Now Zealand in 18H. Tho Colonisation of Now Zealand had been commencod in 1840, under the auspices of tho New Zealand Company, the animating spirit of which body \fM the lato Kdward Gibbon Wakefiold. This is not tho place for reviewing his eminent services to Now Zealand, but it is pertinent to our present subject to remind tho rondar that Mr Wakofiold'a system had for its object not more emigration, but the transplanting to New Zealand of tl society complete in all its parts," and one of his " features of attractiveness " wns tho appointment of an episcopal head of tho Church in Now Zealand. Tho New Zf.Pand Company took up the subject, and, united with other bodies, succeeded in their object. The first porson upon whom their eyes turned was tho

Roy. Win. Selwyn, but it was soon understood that he was not likely to abandon his charge— that of Vicar of Melbourne in Cambridgeshire ; and, ultimately, the subjoct of the present notice was consecrated, and at once proceeded to New Zealand, when the Colony was about two years old. His distinguished and useful career in tlio Colony lasted just a quarter of a contmy, but his interest in, and services to Now Zealand never ceasod until tho day of his death. Human foresight and wisdom could not have selected a man more eminently fitted for tho function which the new bishop had to fulfil. He possessed what the Fronch call un beau physique. To a sound body he added an equally sound and vigorous mind. He traversed dfery portion of both Islands on foot, &nd at a timo whon even food had to bo catried by Nativo bearers. His bodily and mental onergy wero untiring, and his strength of will enabled him to carry out his own purposes under difficulties which would have appalled most men. His theology leaned towards the High Ohuroh section of the Church of England, and yet none questioned his orthodoxy. But his large and expansive mind wan not of a nature to be " cribbed, cabinned, and confined" within the narrow framework of an effete theology. With wellmarked opinions of his own, ho was lenient towards the opinions of others. Without being a "man of science" he had a high appreciation of science. His reading was extensive, and his learning accurate ; though ho was not what is commonly, and sometimes contemptuously, called a reading man. His functions hero were administrative organisation of the infant Church, and useful vigorous action, directed to a purpose— tho building up of the Church in his diocese. His chosen diocese, however, was not merely comprised within tho narrow limits of Now Zealand, though that was wido enough — wider, indeed, than any less able and energetic spirit could have grasped— but embraced tho whole of the South Pacific, except such portions as wero already provided with control. He may bo truly said to have prepared the way for tho lamented Bishop Patteson, and for his son, the present excellent Bishop of Melanesia. But the brightest feature in his charactor was his genial, sympathising, and affectionate nature. Where sorrow, bereavement, and calamity wero, there was he ; if within reach, personally ; if at a distance, by sympathising and comforting communication. It is, therefore, not too much to say, that he was not less personally loved by those who knew him, than he was generally esteemed and admired. He was married to a daughter of tho late Mr Justico "Richardson, ono of tho Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and had one son, now tho Roy. Mr Solwyn, when he came to New Zealand. Tho Right Reverend the Bishop of Melanesia (his second son John) was born at St. John's College, near Auckland, in May, 1844. Ho too possesses qualifications likely to deyolope into a character which will do no discredit to tho memory of his great and good father.