THE LIFE OF BISHOP POMPALLIER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23108, 6 February 1937, Page 7

THE LIFE OF BISHOP POMPALLIER

ro THB EDITOR Sir,—Your correspondent, Mr George C, Thomson, is undoubtedly annoyed, and perhaps with some justification. If he wishes to revive the controversy, however, let me illustrate my statements, and at the same time give him an idea of what I consider to be the proper method of making a quotation from reliable sources without divulging more than is necessary. The writer at the beginning of this correspondence would have been pleased to quote all he knew in return for information from Messrs Pybus and Thomson. They have, however, taken up a secretive attitude, and forced him into a like position. The following fragments will, however, help in our argument:— 24th November, 1840, at Otargo, to see M.'s leg, fair—lß shgs—Native wife has—Nit. sil. 5 grains to ounce aqua—meal with Hore in Weller's back shed—whaling not payingRoman Catholic Bish. and priests with Kariti on hill—l 6 small bottles from store—verdigris, sulp. of cop. and savin leaves, from Bishop's vessel. At a later date the journal, after describing a most interesting episode at Otago, says: " Hore has now greatly improved his shed, and has made Weller and Taiaroa an offer for the land; I advised him against it." It will now be more obvious to your correspondent why the innocent "Koroko" made the statement that

Hore's shed was Wellers' at the time of the bishop's visit. Knowing Mr Thomson's capacity with the blue pencil, I took care in my previous letter to take the Maori quotation from a most capable authority, but as it is very difficult, except for an advanced student, one cannot blame your correspondent and his "Maori pakeha" friends for failing in this test. He will find the true translation in the textbook on Maori Grammer edited by Mr A. T. Ngata, M.A., LL.B.

Neither your correspondent nor "Koroko," nor any library nor person has all the papers connected with pre-settlement days in his or its possession, but each has a fragment which will, no doubt, in due course, be published to make, I am afraid, a very ragged whole. Isolated journals and papers as quoted by Mr Thomson are limited in value, if read without their contemporaries. Innocent "Koroko" gravely fears that when the journals possessed by him see the light of day, the hairs on the clerical heads of Messrs Pybus and Pratt will stand on end. In the meantime, Mrs " Koroko " asks- me to leave the poor men alone.— I am, etc., Koroko. February 5.