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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6570, 7 December 1882, Page 4

The proceedings in the Auckland Presbytery, yesterday, were enlivened by great extemp >re vehemence, tempered with Church law and logic. The discussion is instructive, because it illustrates

the manner in which Church alf lirs are sometimes carried on in the land of the

" mountain and the flood." The question under discussiou was anent a tender cf resignation sent in by Mr. Breach, late of St. Andrew's, New Plymouth. Most of the members of the Presbytery were in favour of accepting the resignation of the recalcitrant pastor of Neiv Plymouth, as the simplest, easies", and most convenient way of emerging from a troublesome business. Dr. McLeod, however, was for a severe sentence, according to the law of the Church, am; he therefore gave notice of an appeal to t e General Assembly. The Rev. Mr. Ru: jiman pointed out that there must be an amendment as the foundation of notice of appeal, and the person giving notice ot appeal, must have voted. Dr. McLeod said he had voted with the minority on the question cf accepting the resignation, &c. hut it was held as there was no amendment, there was no vote. Hereupon commenced a breach of the solemn forms of ecclesiastical debate. It was stated that Dr. McLeod was a s " Highlander,'' and would hurt nobody. The Moderator (the Rev. "W. Evans) was called a Welehman. Rev. M. Fraaer moved that Dr. McLeod's presence in the Presbytery was contemporaneous with "more ill-feeling, ill blood, petty questions, and vexatious abuse : ' than had ever taken place before there in the history of the colony. Mr. Runciman framed a special resolution to enable Dr. McLeod to appeal, but the Presbytery would not have it, and Mr. Runciman complained of the negative decision. One breach makes many in propriety as well as in a fortified wall, and the progress of verbal warfare will be found in our report of the proceedings.