BISHOP SELWYN AT CAMBRIDGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10018, 9 April 1894, Page 3

BISHOP SELWYN AT CAMBRIDGE.

(Fbom Oub Special Correspondent.)

Loniion, February 15.

A few days ago l'had a long chat with Bishop Selwyn at Cambridge, where he is now in rosidenoo as master of the college founded in memory of his great father, the first Bishop of New Zealand. Naturally our conversation soon drifted in the direction of the Auckland Collego appointments and the curious complications which- had Arisen in relation to the matter.

"It is unnecessary to Bay much about it now," said the bishop. ''.My own course was a very plain and straightforward one. We (the threo commissioners of selection) had nothing whatever to do with the question how the vacancy aiose. All that we had to recognise was that a vacancy had occurred, and we were asked to recommend someone to fill it. Bufc the collego authorities forced 'us into the position of judges by sending us a long statement of their oase, and then Dr Abbott sent ua the oase on tho other side. Ido not say what we mighfc have done bad nothing fresh arisen. The Government, however, in my opinion took tho whole matter out of our hands by cabling instructions to ' suspend all action.' "

" When subsequently the oollege authorities Bgain requested that I should act," continued Bishop Selwyn, " I was quite willing fco act if requested by tho Government to do so. But as the Government had virtually suspended us previously, I was not prepared to assume the posiiion again unless they reversed tbafc suspension by directly requesting me to act. This they never did. On tho other hand, I was aware that thoy had refused to permit fcheir own Agent-geueral to act as ono of tho commissioners of selection, although they authorised him to advertise for applications. Had lin those oirenmstances consented to act I should have been doing virtually what tho Cambridge correspondent cf the Guardian had untruthfully accused me of doing—accepting an office which the Agent-general had dtciined to undertake. It is true he had noli declined ifc, but his Government declined ifc for bim, which came to the same thing. And so I could nofc see my way to uudort&ke the duty, though, of courte, I should hava been glad to do any good offico for New Zealand."

Next wo chatted about the Wellington bishopric. "A very strong man is wanted there," said Bishop Selwyn. "One who U a man of the world, too—in the right sense—and who understands dealing with laymen as well as clergy. In fact, you want a statesman in such a post as that. It is a most important one ia many ways, and requites a man with special qualifications to fill it adequately. A weak man, or a mtre scholar, cr one deficient in mental and physical energy would be of no use at all."

On my nentioning the universal regret felt that Bishop Selwyn himsc-lf was unable to undertake the office, the bishop replied, "I should havo liked very much indeed to do so bad I not been co crippled. It would havo been a great pleasure to me to undertake the work and to devoto my bust powers to it, but how could I possibly have travelled aboufc the diocese as a bishop musfc in my present condition? Ib would have been impossible. Besides I had already promised to take my present post before the Wellington vacancy actually arose, and having done so I could not draw back from wbat setmed to ma a duty which I had voluntarily undertaken."

" But I do hope they will geta good man," ho continued. " I think I know of ono who would go if asked, and who would certainly he in every way suitable. I may, perhaps, mention his Dame to the archbishop." Bat the bishop did not think it would be right to say who it was ho had "in his mind's eye," so 1 cannot tell you who it is: Nor, indeed, am I able to guess. During my conversation with Bishop Selwyn ho remarked: "You might suggest to your friends in the colony that there is still much to be done for this college, and those who bear my father in affectionate memory, and who have tho mtans, might do something for Selwyn College. We need a hall and a library very badly, and rich men in Now Zealand mighfc well found some New Zealand scholarships for studeuts from that colony."

Bishop Selwyn is still nadly lame, and I fear permanently so, owing to the contraction of the muscles after that terrible hip trouble which came on ih Melanesia; but his energy and spirit are indomitable. He tells me he still has recurrences of the old malarial fever, but at increasing intervals and of diminishing severity, so he hopes ultimately to be free from thorn. He is looking very well just now, His likeness to his father-—of whom many portraits aro to be seen in the master's lodge— growß steadily more striking. Bufc I was also much

impressed when watching his face in repose, as he sat reading a letter, with his likeness to some portraits of the first Napoleon. Perhaps it was the expression of resolute will that gave me tho idia, bufc I ceitainly sso much resemblance al6o in the contour of the face and

features. He showed me a singularly interesting relic. It was a Bible which had belonged to Bishop Mackenzie, who met a martyr's death in Afrioa and who had given the Bible to Bißhop Patteson, tho martyr of Melanesia. Bishop Patteson had presented ifc to Bishop Abraham, formerly of Wellington, New Zealand, and he gave it to Bishop Selwyn with the request that it should be handed on to bin tuccesaors in the Melanesian bishopric. Il'shop Selwyn had therefore just written his name in it, and was about to Bend it to the Rev. Cecil Wilson who had been appointed as his successor in the see .of Melanesia, The book contains tho auto-, graph aud inscription of all its previous possessors. It is, indeed, an heirloom of most touching interest.

A very eloquent and pathetic letter of fare^ well has been received by Bishop Selwyn from his late; flock afc Norfolk Island, It breaths the very spirit of poetry and pathos. It was, I am told eufcirely originated and composed by tbe natives themselves, unprompted and unaided aa to language, It is cherished with affectionate appreciation hy its recipient. Bishop Selwyn is about to send out to his lato flock by tbeir new Bishop a set of Bibles j and prayer books printed in the Mota language, and most beautifully, yefc simply, bound in dark blue leather with plain red cross on cover. They are veritable gems of the printers' and bookbinders' ait. : Tho new chapel of Fe'.wyn Collego is rapidly approaching completion. It will he a fine building in the lato third-pointed (or perpendicular Gothic) style—red brick with white stone facing*. The chapel and hall at pregenfc used are temporary buildings which will be remoyed, when the permanent structures are finished. Even a casual observer cannot help noticing the influence foi* good whioh is exproised by the ' gew mastej and Mr? Selwyo. The bishop

seems steadily impressing his flock of graduates and undergraduates with his own ruling principle—the strong sense of duty, as a paramount rule—and his mauly character, keen interest in athletic sports (in which he was once, like, his father, so proficient), and invariable kindness have won for him their enthusiastic affection; and Mrs Selwyn is no lees beloved. The bishop is as keen as a boy in regard to boating matters, and often gets down to the banks of the Cam to watch the performance of the college and university crews, discussing with ths utmost zesfc ancient and '■■ modern rules of " coaching."

Much as one must regret his loss to New Zealand one cannot help seeing that ho is doing a valuable work at Cambridge in training up a race of sturdy, brave, honest, and sterling young John Bulls who in years to como will aid in maintaiuiug the high traditions of their country and of their Alma Mater.