RETIRING LEADER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23479, 17 October 1939, Page 9

RETIRING LEADER

-i FAREWELL' BY SYNOD ARCHBISHOP AVERILL MANY WARM TRIBUTES "GOING TO FADE OUT" Warm and touching tributes to Archbishop Averill were paid when the Synod of the Auckland Anglican Diocese took leave of him before the session was\prorogued last night. The archbishop will retire from the office of Bishop of Auckland on March 31. Deep regret that the present official bond between bishop and people was soon to be broken was expressed by Canon P. S. Smallfickl, who said he wished, on behalf of clergy and laity, to thank tho archbishop for his lengthy guidance of synod, his spiritual and fatherly oversight of the diocese, and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God here and elsewhere, especially in tho Diocese of Melanesia. Foremost Place in Community "Wo ask you to accept for yourself and for Mrs. Averill," he said,' "our expression of best wishes, our sincere thanks, our loyalty, regard and affection that will remain, and we hope that you will have long, happy and restful enjoyment of your retirement." In supporting Canon Smallfiekl's remarks Mr. J. B. Lusk said that outside as well as within the Church of England it must be felt that Auckland and New' Zealand were losing a great friend when Archbishop Averill laid down his office. Tho position he held in tho community was one that few could have reached. His mana was greater than that of any other bishop they had ever bad in the diocese. Tributes were also paid by Canon C. A. B. Watson, Archdeacon W. J. Simkin, Dean Fancourt and tho Rev. T. H. C. Partridge. No Interference In Diocese

The archbishop was greeted with prolonged applause when he rose to reply. Stressing that he did not want a formal farewell, he said that when one had spent the better part of a lifetime in a position the best thing was to get away quietly. "You need not imagine for one moment that I am going to interfere in any way with the work of the diocese when I retire," he said. "I am going to fade out. I shall disappear for a time at any rate from here." Archbishop Averill said he wished to thank all present on behalf of himself and especially on behalf of his wife. She had had a harder life in many ways than he. Departure From Bishopscourt There were some who had not liked lii's leaving Bishopscourt. but the doctors considered it was the only way of saving his wife's life. He had been willing to re'sign at that time, but had been influenced by the many who had asked him to remain. He wanted the diocese and synod to know that they fully appreciated their acquiescence in permitting him to leave Bishopscourt. Their leaving had done what he hoped it Would do. He knew it had not been quite the same as if be had been at Bishopscourt, but he did not think he had let the work of the diocese down as. a result. . Stressing again that he had no intention of interfering in the work of the diocese, Archbishop Averill said that if later his successor wished him to do anything he would be only too glad to do his bit. Meanwhile he wanted to get out as quietly as possible and leave room for his successor. Tt was a big wrench to go, but he hoped he would be able to retain the friendships he had made, and it was right that he should go before he had to go.