CENTENNIAL OF CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26264, 8 November 1950, Page 6

CENTENNIAL OF CANTERBURY

Special Service In St. Paul’s DISCUSSION IN LETTER TO “THE TIMES” (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.AJ (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 7. The service to be held in St Paul’s Cathedral on December 15 lo .commemorate the foundation of the province of Canterbury is discussed by the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J. Jordan) and Lord Bessborough, chairman of the Church of England Advisory Council of Empire Settlement in a letter to "The Times." ■‘We feel that this is a particularly appropriate way in which to celebrate the passing of a century of great achievement in this province of New Zealand and to recall one of the most successful essays in colonisation in British history,” says the letter. “First, because the original colonists who sailed for New Zealand from the port of London in September, 1850. attended Divine service at St. Paul's Cathedral before their departure, and heard a sermon delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury; and, second, because the present Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Geoffrey Fisher), within a few hours of the service of commemoration in London, will be preaching to a great congregation assembled in Cathedral square, Christchurch, the chief city of the province of Canterbury.” The letter adds: "The Church of England was the prime force behind the settlement of Canterbury, and to show plainly the church's continuing interest in emigration to other countries of the, British Empire, and her constant concern for the spiritual welfare of those who emigrate, the Church of England Advisory Council of Empire Settlement is wholeheartedly co-operatirig in the preparations for the celebrations in this country of the one hundredth anniversary of Canterbury.” The preacher at the service of comtnemoration will be the Very Rev. Dr. John Lowe, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, and Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, after which college Christchurch was named.

Mr Jordan and Lord Bessborough express the hope that many of the descendants and successors of the members of the Canterbury Association, New Zealanders, and people of good will towards New Zealand and particularly the province of Canterbury will attend the service.