THE BISHOP-ELECT OF WAIAPU.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13563, 26 October 1909, Page 8

THE BISHOP-ELECT OF WAIAPU.

SYNOD'S FAREWELL TO AECH-

DEACON AVERILL

At last night's sitting of the Christchurch Diocesan Synod Mr H. D. Andrews moved: —"That in bidding Godspeed to the Yen. Archdeacon Alfred Walter Avorill, this Synod desires to place on record its , high appreciation of his faithful serricea to the Church in this diocese during the last sixteen years, and prays that he may long be spared to discharge the duties of the high office to which God has. now called him with tho ability and efficiency which ho has so conspicuously shown in the many and important offices he has filled in this diocese."' The mover said that Archdeacon Averill had endeared himself to them in many ways, and had won their highest respect and esteem by his work in the diocese. His doparturo would leave a blank which would be very bard to fill. Mr T. 1). Harman seconded the motion, and said that during the sixteen years that Arehdeacoti Averill had been vicar of St. Michael's iie had shown the greatest devotion to his duties and the utmost zeal and enthusiasm in his work. Tho church workers had been inspired by the example sot them by their vicar, whilst his manly personality and ihis outspoken addresses and sermons had attracted the young men very largely to tho church, and had coni'nellcd them to become good Churchmen and to join the guilds. The Yen. Archdeacon Harper said that St. Michael's, as tho motherchurch cf tho diocese, was always looked to by the other churches in the dioceso to set a high ideal of parochial work, and in that matter Archdeacon Averill had brought it to tho highest pitch. In tho speaker's chuTch there •were two or three young men from St. Michael's, and they were notable as setting a high andi noble ideal of whet young men could do for the Church, and this had been due to Archdeacon Averill's zeal, and cevotion and tact. Referring to the difficulties of Archdeacon Averill'e new position, the speaker said that they knew the Archdeacon's courage and patience, end, above all, his tact and thorough devotion, which would stand him in good stead in overcoming thca9 difficulties. The Yen. Archdeacon Gossett said that when Archdeacon Averill left them they would lose a brother to whom they had looked, and never in vain, for sympathy and counsel of all kinds. Canon Coatee spoke of Archdeacon Averill as a personal friend. Hγ W. H. referred to the very material assistance rendered Archdeacon Averill by his wife. The Rev. H. E. Ensor spoke as one who had Lad.' the inestimable privilege of having been one of Archdeacon. Averoll a curates, and said that whilst occupying that position he had opportunity oi knowing the Archdeacons iorce of character, Eis tremendous personality, and Lis power of infusing enthusiasm into those who worked with him. Mr Charles Bean referred to Archdeacon, Averiil's interest in St. Michael's Church day school, and in the District Nurses' Association. The motion was the members standing. ' The Yen. Archdeacon Averill briefly replied, and said that the very kind words that had been spoken had sunk very deeply into' his heart. He had tried to do his duty in a simple way. and if ho had in any way succeeded in doing so that was all the appreciation Jbe desired. In leaving this present work he was going to a life which was very much more difficult, much more lonely, and 1 a life in which Lβ would often look back to the days spent in.-Christehureh; He felt that it had been a privilege to.serve am the Diocese of Christchureh, and lie expressed his regret at parting with the Biehop, clergy, and laity of the diocese.