CHURCH VETERAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 245, 17 October 1933, Page 8

CHURCH VETERAN.

CANON HASELDEN.

ATTENDANCE AT SYNOD. FIFTY-SIX "TSARS. The veteran of the Anglican Synod, now in session in Auckland, is Canon John Haselden, who has attended every sitting of the Synod in the past 56 years. Despite, his 78 years the canon is a very bright and active personality, and his kindly nature has endeared him to thousands of Aucklanders. His memory goes back to the days of Bishop Sehvyji. Aβ. a boy he used to pilot the biehop along bush tracks from one settlement to another. He was ordained deacon in St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, in 1877, by the late Bishop Cowie. He was then 23 years of age. He was appointed assistant at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with a parish that at that time extended as far north as Holersville, arid also embraced the Great, Barrier Island. He used to conduct as many as live services on Sundays, and.to keep in touch with his scattered parishioners had to do most of the travelling on horse-back. To visit the Great Barrier Island meant trips on a firewood cutter. When suburban Auckland began to grow Mount Albert was made a separate parish, and Canon Haselden was appointed as the first vicar. Since tlieii he has filled many posts. He wae vicar at Onehunga from 1897 to 1920, he has acted as diocesan missionary and organiser, chaplain cJ the Auckland Hospital, honorary secretary of the first : sailors' mission in Auckland, and secretary of the lay readers' association. He has served on many of the special committees of the Synod. The missionary work gave the- canon a wide sphere, extending from the Waikato to the North Cape. Much of the work was carried on under great difficulties at a time when parishes were almost provinces in extent. _ Of his association with the lonely outpost—the Great Barrier Island —the canon has a momento in the shape of an inscribed gold watch, presented to Mm for sterling work on the island at the time of. the wreck of'the steamer Wairarapa.