The Bishop of Melansia.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 128, 26 November 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Bishop of Melansia.

[fuom oub special correspondent.] London, 7th October. Bishop Wilson, of Melanesia — the " Boy Bishop" as he is still affectionately tormed by his cricketing friends over here, whoso name is legion— scored a distinct success in his address to the Church Congress recently held at Bradford. Naturally he took as his subject his experiencos in his South Sea Diocese. He spoke with a good deal of humour, and in a very interesting strain. He described the Papuan race as having their good points, not the least of which were their natred of history, short memories, and entire lack of literature of any kind. The objects of their worship, he said, were the ghosts of their fathers, grandfathers, and chiefs, but even in these cases 50 years is their outside limit of veneration. The Bishop wont on to tell how, 60 years ago, a Roman Catholic Bishop landed in mitre and full vestments and was shot, in the belief that he was a ghost. Yet so treacherous is the Papuan memory that to-day even this circumstance is forgotten. On the other hand, Bishop Wilson declared that there was no scepticism in his diocese and that the church there already numbered 60,000 members. One point on which the Bishop was very strong was his denial that any effort was being made to " Europeanise " the South Sea Islanders. "We do not put our converts in coats and trousers or Donnets and skirts," said the Bishop emphatically. " Instinct bids them be decent, and no one without a waistcloth would venture to school." It is remarked that "The Congress, by its applause, gave clear approval to the doctrine that the aboriginal must be allowed to retain some originality in the matter of costume." I am not sure that this would have had the entire sanction of the late Rev. Richard Taylor, the wellknown Wanganui missionary. He, insisted on proper costume when his confirmation candidates came up for instruc-

tion, and subsequently attended the services ; and so submissively were his precepts accepted that one chief, who was a candidate for the sacred rite, appeared at service one Sunday evening in a most magnificent superfine cloth swallow-tail dress coat of the latest fashion and cvt — but, unfortunately, that constituted bis entire costume, and so Mr. Taylor was not satisfied even with; this, and the poor chief went away much disheartened. I had this from Mr. Taylor's own son, the Rev. Basil Taylor, who, I believe, succeeded hifl father at Wanganui. When I sent you out the earliest particulars about Bishop Wilson on his selection for the Melanesian post, I mentioned that he was one of the crack cricketers ot the day and a leading member of the Kent County Eleven, in fact " Cecil Wilson " was v name to conjure with in the cricket world, and his departure from that fie'd for his missionary labours was greatly deplored. However, though " lost to sight" ho has remained "to memory dear," in proof of which his erstwhile brother cricketers of Kent organised a meeting on behalf of the Melanesian Mission, the result' being a clear sum of £60 after all expenses had been paid. I suppose it would be ancient history in New Zealand by this time that Bishop Wilson is engaged to be married to Jig second daughter of Bishop Julius, of Christchurch, and that the wedding will take place at Christchurch when Bishop Wilson is on hi 1 ? way back to his diocese? At any rate, I learn that such is the iact, and if it has not previously found publication it will no doubt be read with interest.

It is said that a French painter one day visited the Salon in Paris in company with a friend who was a member of the committee of selection, and who had been instrumental in securing the acceptance of the painter's work. When the artist came near his picture, he exclaimed — '" Good gracious ! you're exhibiting my picture the wrong side up I" "Hush!" was the reply ; " the committee refused it the other way."