EIGHTY YEARS OLD

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 15

EIGHTY YEARS OLD

CANON BEAN'S BIRTHDAY RECORD SERVICE IN ONE PARISH The Rev. Canon W. S. Bean, who was vicar of Addington from 1892 to 1933, a record period of service in one parish in the Canterbury Diocese, will celebrate his eightieth birthday to-day. Canon Bean, except for a visit of seven months to England in 1905, has spent 79 years of his life in New Zealand. He arrived at Lyttelton with his parents in the sailing ship Zealandia, under the command of Captain Foster in 1858, three days after land had been sighted on bis first birthday. Canon Bean's parents were Mr and Mrs R. S. Bean, and he was born at Enfield, Middlesex. After their arrival his parents spent 19 years at Kaiapoi, where their son was educated at the church day school conducted by Mr John Matthews. They later went to Ashburton. In 1868 he obtained a Government scholarship at Christ's College, which he attended from 1870 to 1872. Later, after passing the four grades under the Board of Theological Studies and gaiAing the certificate of licentiate of theology, he was ordained deacon at St Michael's Church, Christchurch, on September 25, 1881, and priest in the Christchurch Cathedral on September 23, 1883, by Bishop Harper. From 1881 to 1883 he was curate under the Rev. Walter Harper (later Dean Harper) at Southbridge and at St. Michael's. He was vicar of Springfield. Sheffield, and Hororata from 1883 to 1888. He became vicar of Addington in 1892, holding this position for the record period of 40 years and seven months.' During this period he officiated at 2738 baptisms, 1805 burials, and 1103 marriages. He was appointed a canon of the Christchurch Cathedral in 1913 and retired in 1931. Canon Bean was chaplain to the No. 1 company of New Zealand Engineers for 29 years, and was granted the Victoria decoration as an officer of 20 years* service. He was LieutenantColonel Chaplain to the advance party to Samoa in 1914. ~_„,..,_ On the executive of the British and Foreign Bible Society for 25 years. Canon Bean was elected a life member this year. He was president of the Christ's College Old Boys' Association in 1903 and 1904. At present one of his most notable distinctions is that he is the only surviving member of the original Court of Directors of the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand, of which he 'was elected president in 1925, ah office which he still holds. Canon Bean was married m 1891 to the eldest daughter of the" Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon. There is a family of five daughters and a son, Mr R. J. S. Bean, a tea planter in Ceylon. Always taking a keen interest in swimming Canon Bean was an original member of the Addington Amateur Swimming Club, and was patron for 24 years. He was elected a life member in 1936.