FORMER PRIMATE OF N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26119, 23 May 1950, Page 3

FORMER PRIMATE OF N.Z.

ARCHBISHOP AVERILL HONOURED

“VERY BELOVED OLD GENTLEMAN ”

“Since I camo to New Zealand in March, 1894, I have had a wonderful and happy life, and my wife and I are glad to be back amongst our old friends and associations in Canterbury,” said Archbishop Averill, a former Primate of New Zealand, replying to tributes paid to him at a reception given in his honour by the parish of St. James’. Riccarton, in the Winter Garden last evening. Archbishop Averill is a former vicar of St. Michael’s, and was Bishop of Waiapu and of Auckland. He said the reception and the tributes paid to him. his wife, and his family, had given him great pleasure, joy, and happiness. It had been one of the saddest days in his life when he had to leave Christchurch, and though he had been very happy in the North Island, he now felt he was back home. “The climate may be colder in the south, but the kindness of the people here will make up for the nip in the air.” he added.

“We are here to pay a tribute to a very 1 loved old gentleman and his wife,” ..id the vicar of St. James’ (the Rev. Carl E. Tanner). “For 53 years he has done outstanding work in New Zealand. He is a very forceful and brilliant preacher and has had a tremendous effect in New Zealand.” Mr Tanner said that he felt that the Averills were the father and mother of his parish.

The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) said that Archbisop Averill was regarded as a product of the south, which had felt very proud of him in his career. It was astonishing how the north had drawn on the south, to fill many of its important offices. “We appreciate that he and his wife are now back to live among us.” he said. Archbishop Averill was the first Primate of New Zealand to visit Australia since Bishop Selwyn. said the Archbishop of Sydney (the Most Rev. H. W. Mbwll). That visit during the centenary of Australia had given very great pleasure, not only because he was representing the church in New Zealand, but because of the friendships he had made. “The Church in New Zealand is very fortunate in having such a leader.” he said. The Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. A. K. Warren) said he well remembered the consternation and sorrow in Waiapu when Archbishop Averill was appointed Bishop of Auckland. Another thing which showed how far Archbishop Averill’s influence had spread'was that he was a canon of St. George’s Church. Jerusalem. On such an occasion it was easy to be expansive and difficult to be brief, said the Primate of New Zealand • Archbishop West-Watson). “I cannot think what my time here would have been if I had been bereft of bis friendship. With all my heart I wish him and his wife godspeed and many happy years among us.” Sir Erima Northcroft paid a tribute on behalf of the dicoese of Auckland, and other speakers were the Bishop of Olympia (the Rt. Rev. S. F. Bayne) and the Ven. Archdeacon C. L. Mountfort. The master of ceremonies was Mr James Collins. In a message in which he apologised for his absence, the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) said he had known Archbishop Averill for many years and was aware of the outstanding service he had given to Christchurch and New ; Zealand.