THE BISHOP OF WAIAPU.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2609, 17 September 1909, Page 4

THE BISHOP OF WAIAPU.

archdeacon averill elected ri*EK Press Association.! 1 NAPIER. Sept. 16. The AVaiapu Anglican Synod sat today for the election oi Bishop, and went into committee to consider the report of the special committee appointed at last Synod to obtain information as to the clergy suitable for appointment as Bishop. On resuming Archdeacon Williams proposed, and Mr. Thomas Tanner seconded, I hat Archdeacon Alfred Walter Averill, or Christchurch, is a fit and proper person to he elected Bishop of this diocese.” A ballot was taken and Archdeacon Averill elected. Ihe election has still to be confirmed by the Standing Committees of the various dioc€ses in NVu r Zealand.

The Ven. Archdeacon Alfred Walter Averill was bom at Stafford, England, in 1865. He was educated at the Kmg Edward VI. Grammar School and St. John’s College. Oxford receiving his B.A. degree in 1887, and ALA. Jegreein 1891. He studied for holy orders in the Ely Theological College in 1888, and was ordained deacon in that year, receiving the priesthood in 1889. Hls first -appointment was as curate or bt. George’s, Hanover Square, in 1888, and he vacated that position in 1891 to take up the office of senior curate or Holy Trinity Dalston. After holding this position for three years he received an appointment as vicar at St. Alienae! s. Christchurch, in 1894. The position of Hospital Chaplain was conferred on him in 1895, and in the year 1902 be was appointed an hon. Canon of Christ church Cathedral, and was in the following year created archdeacon of Akaroa. The Bishop-elect is a vigorous man in the prime of life, and is an able, hard-working, and enthusiastic clergyman. and an eloquent and forcible preacher. He is highly popular m Christchurch, especially with his parishioners. The Congregations of ot. Michael’s and AH Angels’ are unnormlv large, and the work of the church in the parish is in a thoroughly healthy and flourishing condition. Ihe Archdeacon's promotion to the See or Y>aiapu will certainly cause general regret among the neople of St. Alichael s parish, who will naturally be loth to part with so able and nopular a vicar. Archdeacon. Averill will be the fourtu Bishop of the diocese of Waiapu. The firat was Bishop W. Williams, wno was appointed in 1859, and resigned m 1875. He was succeeded in 18/ / by Bishon E. C. Stuart, brother of Sir Alexander Stuart, at one time Premier of New South Wales. Bishon Stuart, held office until 1895, when he left in order to take an missionary work in Persia. Bishop W. L. Williams, who retired last year, was a son of the first Bishop, and‘was consecrated on January 20th, 1895.