MR WILL'S MISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 278, 10 November 1862, Page 6

MR WILL'S MISSION.

{ To the Editor of ike Otago Daily Times.) Sir—As one who took an active part in the oriTgi-i nal formation of this settlement, and who has bs^n keenly alive to its subsequent progress—moral and inarerinl—l am pleased to observe that the proposed mission of Mr Will has received a check which I sincerely hope may result in its final abandonment. As Lam not cognisant of the on dits in. ecclesiastical wrclPs, I. am.not aware of the precise 01-jc-ct which; the Presbytery rfctngo hart in vi w in this mission. Assuming it to be the establishment in Dunedin of a school for the prophets, it is evident that the Presbytery has acted hastily, and without due consideration m the selection of its delegates—land here I must repudiate beins actuated by any hostility towards Mr Will individually—who, however much he may at times exhibit a lack of the wisdom of the serpent, is, nevertheless. I have no doubt, a very worthy man in his way, and well calculated for the sphere in which Providence has cast his- lot). Looking at the object of the mission, it is manifest that if there is one man who excels bis fellows in ecclesiastical experience, in mature judgment, in dignified personal .bearing,that is the niau upon whom'the Presbytery is^ bouna and entitled to lay its commands. Now, j without seeking to make invidious distinctions, I think no man who knows anything of themembei-sof the Presbytery, will put the crown upon Mr Will's head m respect of the qualities alluded to. I believe that had the Presbytery given the subject that reflection which its importance deserves -had they consulted the views and feelings of the Church, every eve would have been directed to Dr. Burns, as the most able man to represent both the Church and the Province in the home country. I am no blind eulogist, of the rev. doctor, who, doubtless, has his faults as well aso'hers, but if there is to be a delegate sent home, common s<>nse points to the real founder and father of the settlement as the man. Mr Editor, I have always understood that one of the objects of the os an acre originally set apart for religious and educational uses, was ultimately to aid in the establishment of a college or university in Otago, it was never dreamt that the trust would be in a position to effect this object single handed, and far less that it should be* so in our day. Now, however, that this trust alone is, or soon will be, sufficient to endow a dozen professors' chairs with double the salaries attached to such chairs in Edinburgh or Glasgow, I think the time has arrived for the erection.of an university in Dunedin upon a scale unrivalled in the southern hemisphere. Such a step ill its influence upon the future would place every other completely in the shade, not excepting even the securing to Dunedin the Panama terminus.' Let the Government and the church trustees at once confer upon the subject, and instead of Dr Burns or any other delegates going home simply to secure a theological teacher, let him have fu'l power to initiate sucK a movement as will raise th^ city of Dunedin into a seat of learning which shall rival the most renowned scholars -in Europe. Most assuredly this, is no Utopian idea. If we will only banish Sectarianism from our councils ■ pull together and devote the boundless means at our disposal to the desired end, depend upon it, the highest professorial abilities, like must other things, may [je bought with a price ; and if Dunedin can bo made the pole of steam in the Pacific, it can also be made the focus of mind.

Since writing the foregoing. I have seen Mr Wills's letter to yourself—upon the subject of his mission. If anything were needed to confirm the policy or my views upon the matter or the force of my appreciation, of Mr Wills fitness for the posb he fiim.s at, the tone and stylo of his letter would su{fic3—it is anything but the production of a judicious mar. he is evidently prepared to make himbolf the subject'o* another " dnrupture" on a small scale, his motto appears to be fiat justitia mat cesium Justice to himself of. course is what he means. No doubt we can all sympathise with the disappointment to a young1 man, of his being deprived of a two years pleasant, furlough on good pay, and being honored at home as the .'chosen, electorate of tlyit golden region at the Antipodes, which is likely to attract so much attention. Such a pmspect might well turn wiser heads than that of Mr Will. I trust, however, that the grand object in view will not bo marred by the self-sufficiency or personal vanity of anyjnan, be he whom he may. Nemo. [Under ordinary 'circumstances this letter would have been too personal for insertion, but Mr Will has himself set the example ot making a public matter of that which he r.ow, even himself admits, although" in I qualified terms, would have been bett'.'r left ;to private decision and arrangement.—Ed. D. T.~\ (To the Editor of the Daily Times.) Sir,—Was the 35,000 ounces from Tuapeka last year, sent by a weekly or a fortnightly escort. Yours, &c, Inotti r/f1 r. Dunedin, November 17th, 1862. a fortnightly escort.] —Ed. D. T.