ARCHDEACON AVERILL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13613, 23 December 1909, Page 8

ARCHDEACON AVERILL.

VALEDICTORIES AND PRESENTATIONS.

Archdeacon Averill, Bishop-elect of Woiapu, tendered his resignation of his position as chairman of the committee of the Christchurch District Nursing Association at the meeting * erf the committee yesterday. In resigning, Archdeacon Averill said that he wa.s sorry he had to do so. He was one oi the founders cf the Association some twelve years __o; in its early stages he was personally ' re- ; sponsible for it. and used to pay the cheques and find the inenev .somehow Ongma.ly it \v«s intended to limit i the operations to the south-western part of Christchurch an<: to Sydenham, but the work was so much appreciated! | and there were so many calls upon the I services cf the nurses, that its otfx-ra- I tions became more widespread. He knew of no more genuine work than that done by the Association, and that work was thoroughly appreciated He would like to have the Association's work fully explained at the nest annual meeting. He resigned from the Association with great regret; he had had its work very much at heart, nn<* ho hoped that it would go on and flourish and increase.

The Rev. John Mackenzie moved: "That the committee place on record its high sense of appreciation of the work done by Archdeacon Averill, and the results that have flowed from' this Association, of which he was practically the founder, and accepts with regret his resignation, anel" wishes him 'Godspeed' in his new sphere of work.*' Mr Mackenzie remarked that as sewn as he took up. his work here the good work done by the Association came under his notice, and he learned that the nurses were attending people without fee or reward. Again and agttin he had been grateful that he was able to appeal to the Association's nurses in cases where, otherwise, he would have been helpless. The Association had not only justified' its existence, but had proved' a boon. Mr Joseph Slater, in seconding the motion, referred to the energy and vigour with which Archdeacon Averill carried out the work at the meetings of the committee. Mr Charles Rean said that ever since ho was connected with the work Archdeacon Averill had always rendered him most valuable help. The Association's work was one of the noblest carried on in the city. The motion was agreed to. At a social gathering of the Civil Service Rifles in their Orderly-room on Monday evening, Archdeacon Avefill, who has been honorary chaplain to the corps since its formation, was presented by Acting-Captain Nicholls. en behalf of the corps, with a handsomelyframed photograph of the members, which was taken at their last church parade at St. Michael's Church. The frame bore the inscription:—"Civil Service Rifles. Presented to Chaplain A. W. Averill, 1900-1910." On Tuesday evening the Sundayschool teachere and the members of St. Michael's choir presented Archdeacon Averill with a handsome gold watch, and the members of the Roys' Guild (presented' him with a gold sovereign case. Roth presents bore suitable inscriptions. The pupils attending St. Michael's day school presented him with an inkstand and a matchboxholder. Archdeacon Averill's connection with St. Michael's will officially cease at the end of the year, and' be will probably leave Christchurch about January 12th. An opportunity will be given to the parishioners of St. Michael's and friends of Archdeacon and Mrs Averill to say good-bye to them. The churchwardens and vestry have arranged for a farewell gathering to bei held in the vicarage grounds on Thursday next, December 30th. between 4 and 6 p.m.