ARCHBISHOP AVERILL

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21296, 16 October 1934, Page 10

ARCHBISHOP AVERILL

<► ■ ! RETENTION OF SERVICES SOUGHT TOSSIBLE RESIGNATION DEPLORED ■,l-UESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM-) * AUCKLAND, October 15. Resolutions seeking the retention of the services and guidance of Archbishop Averill, Primate of New Zealand, and deploring the possibility of his resignation, were unanimously carried at the Synod of the diocese of Auckland. Canon Haselden moved that the clerical and lay members of Synod desired to express to Archbishop Averill their affection and loyalty, and that they would deeply deplore the possibility of his resignation. They also desired to express the definite opinion that, in the best interests of the diocese and the province, it was essential that his valuable services and guidance should be retained for some time longer, and to assure him of their prayers that Almighty God would continue to him his present health and vigour; second, that the clergy and lay members desired to express to him their very sincere regret that circumstances of health made it necessary for some measure of relief to be afforded to Mrs Averill from the strain of the maintenance of Bishopscourt, and requested that be would make such other arrangements as he might deem desirable; further, that he should convey to Mrs Averill the Synod's very real sense of gratitude for all she had been to and done for the members, and assure her of their prayers that her health might be restored. Canon Haselden said the honour of bringing forward the resolutions had fallen to him, as he had now been in the diocese 74 years, and had been a member of the clergy for 53 years. Archbishop Averill said that many years ago he had decided that or attaining the age of 70 he would consider his resignation. As he would attain that age before the next Synod, he had felt he would have to place the position before members at this session. Although he had not been as vigorous himself in the last few years, he was thinking more of the health of Mrs Averill, who had taken a great deal of work upon her shoulders. However, he would do what he could to secure some measure of relief, particularly for Mrs Averill.