THE MILANESIAN MISSION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2218, 13 June 1865, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE MILANESIAN MISSION.

As most of our readers are aware, Ins Lordship, the Bishop of New Zealand, last Sunday, preached two sermons, in aid of the above mission. Unfortunately, owing to the heavy rain -which fell in the course of the morning, the forenoon service at St Paul's was but thinly attended, however, despite the few present, and the inclemency of the weather the sum of £28 5s 3d was collected. In the evening at St Peter's this amount was supplemented by an additional sum of £19 16s Bd, making a total of £48 Is lid collected in all. On Tuesday evening his Lordship entered more fully into the work of the mission, though we regret to say the weather was again unpropitioiis and but very few were able to attend. Shortly after 8 o'clock, his Lordship, attended by the Bishop of Wellington, mounted the dais, and a psalm and prayer were read by the Rev A. Stock, after which the Bishop of Wellington made a short address on the subject of the mission, apologizing for doing so on the grounds that it would be no use leaving it to the metropolitan to speak of himself and his labors, as that was a thing he never could be induced to do. The Bishop further remarked that all the little knowledge he possessed on the subject was gleaned from different sources, some from Bishop Selwyn in conversation, but mo3tly from books of which the best perhaps was written by Captain Erskine. He himself had had the pleasure of seeing some of the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands at Auckland, many had been educated at St John's College there, and numbers he believed to be sincerely good Christians. Bishop Selwyn had been the means of bringing these men over, not so much at first for tho purpose of teaching the gospel as to initiate them into the manners and customs of civilized men. Wheu he had seen these men he felt perfectly astonished as to how it was possible to make them friendly. Naturally savage, and brought up with no religion whatsoever, not speaking our language, nor understanding anything about us, it was really marvellous how anyone could go amongst, and in fact get them to forswear their false gods and barbarous customs. Yet that such was the case they all knew. Bishop Selwin himself had been amongst them, as they all knew, and from liim he had learned how simple in reality is the manner of dealing with savage tribes. As, doubtless, they would all like to know how it was managed, he would tell them in two words. Trustfulness and kindness. Bishop Selwj'n had landed on many inhospitable shores unarmed, and had more than once extended his hand to armed barbarians in perfect trustfulness. They had felt him all over to discover whether he had any weapons of offence or defence concealed about his person, and were lost in astonishment at finding nothing. He would now leave the Bishop of New Zealand to tell his own story. Bishop Selwyn after regretting that he had not a map or chart of the South Sea Islands, geographically explained them at considerable length, and explained now the missionaries of the different denominations had divided their work amongst them. He then casually mentioned his own visits to the different groups, and the manner in which lie had been received ; after which he commented on Bishop Patteson's particular mission, and enlarged on its being the duty of all Christians in this country to further as much aa lay in their power, a work that had for its object the propagation of the G-ospel. He had seen those islands in their darkest days of idolatary, and he had again seen them after the blessed tidings of " peace, good will" had reached them, and the difference was remarkable. Tho Bishop then spoke of Pitcairn's Island, and the manner in which John Adams, the mutineer of the ' Bounty," had repented in his old age, and how ho had furbished up his little knowledge in order to be able to read an old worn out prayer-book to the children growing up around him, the offspring of his old companions and the natives of the island. After an address which lasted upwards of three-quarters of aii hour, His Lordship sat down, but not bofore he had explained to Ids little audience that ho would as readily speak before d few as a number, as he felt convinced the purpose was as fully answered. He knew that people who left their comfortable homes in such a night, to attend such a meeting, did so from sheer interest, and that they would go away and tell their friends and neighbors all about what they had heard, and so as many in reality would hear of it as if there was a full house. The meeting was also addressed by the Her B. Taylor, of Wanganui, and tho Rev A. Stock. Amongst the audience, we noticed the Rev Hay Maxwell, and other gentlemen who had come from the Thorndon end of tho town. The meeting was brought to an end shortly after 10 o'clock.

Bank of Australasia. — Mr Card-well, the Manager of the above bank in Otago, arrived in tliis city a few days ago, and at once purchased two sections of the reclaimed land for £2000. The sections now purchased adjoin those previously taken for a site for the Bank of Otago. We understand, plans and specifications for the erection of the building will be ready in the course of next month. It is needless for us to dilate on the advantages certain to accrue from the opening of such an old established bank in our midst. Wellington Fire Biuo-ade. — At a meeting held in the Athcnreum, at 8 o'clock, on Monday evening last, for the election of officers of the Brigade for the ensuing twelve months. Mr Lewis Moss was unanimously chosen captain, Mr Boardman as Lieutenant, the Eev A. Stock as treasurer, and Mr E. Moss as secretary. We congratulate the members of the Brigade on their choice as to the exertions of the abovenamed gentlemen, the corps is materially indebted for its present rides, regulations, and excellent organisation. N.Z. Exhibition Essays. — We learn from a pj'ivato source that the Essays on New Zealand, which wore written for the Otago Exhibition, are now in the press and will shortly be ready for publication in a connected form. As these Essays have been contributed by persons specially conversant with the subjects of which they severally treat, we may assume thai, (he volume will be more complete and exhausf ive than any previous work on New Zealand. The essayists were selected by the Royal Commissioners for their respective departments, and the general superintendence of the work has been entrusted to Dr Hector. Three Essays are furnished from this Province, viz. :— "The G-cology of the North Island," by the Hon. Coutts Crawford ; " The Ornithology of Now Zealand," by Walter Bailor, Esq., R.M. ; and ' The Zoology of the Southern Seas" by the Rev. R. Taylor. The G-eology of the Middle Island will be treated of in Two Essays — one by Dr Hector the Provincial Geologist of Otago, the other by Dr Haast, Provincial Geologist of Canterbury. Dr Shortland, late Native Secretary, has furnished a treatise on " The Nativo Race," and Mr llackett, late Director of the Dun Mountain Copper Company, a paper on " The Mines an<j Quarries of New Zealand." Mv Colenso of Hawke's Bay has contributed an Essay on the Botany of the North Island, while Dr Monro and Mr Travers have respectively treated of the Local Flora of Nelson and Canterbury. Several other Essays connected with the liistory and colonization of the county will complete tho series, and they will together form a valuable book of reference for all who are interested in New Zealand. The Hau Hatt Fanatics. — We undorstaud that in consequence of the intelligence recentlyreceived relative to tho proceedings of the Hau Haus at Manawatu, Wi Tako and Matene te Whiwhi have gone up the Coast to concert with the loyal Otaki Natives what course should be taken.